Position Function:
The UAS Flight Operations Technician supports the delivery of ASSUREd Safe’s national UAS training and credentialing program. This position provides instruction in both ground school and flight operations, conducts learner evaluations, and ensures all course activities comply with ASSURE, MSU, FAA, and FEMA guidance.
The Flight Operations Technician I represents the program at training sites across the country and contributes subject-matter expertise to ongoing course development, recertification, and quality improvement efforts.
The Flight Operations Technician II supports and leads delivery of ASSUREd Safe’s national UAS training and credentialing programs with increased operational responsibility and independence. This role serves as a senior instructor and lead flight operator for complex training environments, supports compliance and authorization requirements, and contributes to course execution, logistics, and quality assurance across multiple training sites.
The Technician II applies advanced judgment within established frameworks and supports junior technicians in safe, compliant flight operations.
The Flight Operations Technician III is a fully competent, independent professional responsible for leading ASSUREd Safe flight training operations nationwide. This role plans and executes complex training missions, ensures compliance across multiple regulatory frameworks, oversees instructor currency and performance, and serves as a primary operational interface with federal, state, and partner organizations. The Technician III exercises independent judgment and adapts standard practices to meet evolving training and operational needs.
The Senior Flight Operations Technician has full responsibility for ASSUREd Safe’s aviation and training operations enterprise, including personnel, aircraft, instructional delivery, safety systems, and regulatory compliance. This role sets operational strategy, directs national training execution, oversees instructor and technician development, and ensures the safe, scalable delivery of ASSUREd Safe programs in support of federal and partner missions. The Director serves as the senior authority for flight operations and training execution across the organization.
Employees hired into Intermittent positions are limited to working no more than 720 hours per fiscal year.
Salary Grade:
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Department Profile:
Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence is comprised of 29 of the world’s leading research institutions and more than a hundred leading industry and government partners. ASSURE members are core to four FAA UAS test sites, lead four FAA research centers, and have a multitude of UAS ranging from small drones below 55 pounds to the largest UAS at any US academic institution at 1800 pounds. This alliance features expertise across a broad spectrum of research areas, including: Air traffic control interoperability, UAS airport ground operations, control and communications, detect and avoid, human factors, UAS noise reduction, UAS wake signatures, unmanned aircraft pilot training and certification, low altitude operations safety, spectrum management and UAS traffic management. ASSURE possesses the expertise, experience, and influence that the FAA Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems demands.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Flight Operations Technician I
1. Deliver ground school, simulator, and flight-operations instruction for ASSUREd Safe courses and evaluate student performance using established standards.
2. Supervise and conduct safe UAS flight operations, demonstrations, and student practical exercises.
3. Travel to training sites nationwide and coordinate on-site logistics, equipment needs, and course execution.
4. Maintain and manage program equipment, flight platforms, batteries, and instructional materials.
5. Contribute subject-matter expertise to course development, updates, and required recertification efforts.
6. Support training documentation, grading, credentialing processes, and continuous improvement reporting.
7. Represent ASSURE and MSU professionally when working with partner agencies, universities, and federal sponsors. Performs related duties as assigned.
8. Interacts in a collaborative manner with other team members to accomplish organizational goals.
Flight Operations Technician II
1. Deliver and lead ground school, simulator, and flight-operations instruction for ASSUREd Safe courses, including complex operational scenarios.
2. Serve as lead flight operator during training events, ensuring safe and compliant UAS operations.
3. Evaluate student performance, provide structured feedback, and support credentialing decisions using established standards.
4. Coordinate advanced on-site logistics, aircraft readiness, equipment configuration, and training execution.
5. Support FAA compliance activities related to training operations, including authorizations, documentation, and reporting.
6. Contribute subject-matter expertise to course refinement, updates, and recertification efforts.
7. Mentor and provide technical guidance to Flight Operations Technician I personnel.
8. Represent ASSURE and MSU with partner agencies, instructors, and sponsors during national training engagements.
Flight Operations Technician III
1. Plan, lead, and execute ASSUREd Safe ground and flight training operations across various operational environments.
2. Approve flight readiness, operational risk mitigations, and training execution for assigned courses.
3. Ensure compliance with FAA, MSU, ASSURE, and FEMA policies governing UAS training and operations.
4. Develop, maintain, and enforce standard operating procedures, checklists, and safety documentation.
5. Lead instructor teams, ensuring qualification, currency, and standardized delivery across training sites.
6. Serve as the primary operational liaison with partner agencies, training hosts, and regulatory stakeholders.
7. Support curriculum evolution, advanced scenario development, and training program expansion.
8. Participate in demonstrations, briefings, and outreach activities supporting program growth and credibility.
Senior Flight Technician Operations
1. Provide strategic leadership and oversight of all ASSUREd Safe flight training and aviation operations.
2. Establish operational standards, safety systems, and compliance frameworks governing national training delivery.
3. Direct staffing models, instructor deployment, and resource allocation across concurrent training programs.
4. Serve as senior liaison with FAA, FEMA, MSU leadership, and federal/state partners on operational matters.
5. Oversee development, approval, and execution of complex training and operational plans.
6. Lead continuous improvement initiatives across curriculum delivery, safety, and operational efficiency.
7. Guide development of new training capabilities and expansion into emerging mission areas.
8. Support proposal development, operational planning, and sponsor engagement related to flight training programs.
Minimum Qualifications:
Flight Operations Technician I B. S. Business Administration, Management, Engineering or other technical field. May substitute four years’ experience as a professional pilot or maintainer of manned or unmanned aircraft for education. At least one year of experience as a professional pilot or maintainer of manned or unmanned aircraft. At least one of the following FAA licenses: UAS Pilot, Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic.
Flight Operations Technician II B. S. Business Administration, Management, Engineering or other technical field. May substitute four years’ experience as a professional pilot or maintainer of manned or unmanned aircraft for education. Two years of experience as a professional pilot or maintainer of manned or unmanned aircraft. At least one of the following FAA licenses: UAS Pilot, Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Airline Transport Pilot, Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic—requires two years at previous level or equivalent
Flight Operations Technician III B. S. Business Administration, Management, Engineering or other technical field, Four years of experience as a professional pilot or maintainer of manned or unmanned aircraft. At least one of the following FAA licenses: UAS Pilot, Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Airline Transport Pilot, Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic– requires two years at previous level or equivalent
Senior Flight Operations Technician B. S. Business Administration, Management, Engineering or other technical field. Four years of experience as a professional pilot or maintainer of manned or unmanned aircraft. At least one of the following FAA licenses: UAS Pilot, Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Airline Transport Pilot, Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic– requires two years at previous level or equivalent
Substitution for Education: Demonstrated experience managing substantial or complex aviation RDT&E/operations.
Substitution for Experience: None
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Flight Operations Technician I
1. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
2. Experience teaching or training adult learners.
3. Experience in first-responder or emergency management operations. Knowledge of Microsoft Office, computer networking and programs, and computer-based systems.
4. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Flight Operations Technician II
1. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
2. Working knowledge of FAA regulations, guidance, and policies applicable to UAS training and flight operations.
3. Knowledge of ASSUREd Safe training objectives, credentialing standards, and instructional methodologies.
4. Ability to safely plan and execute UAS flight operations in support of training activities.
5. Demonstrated ability to instruct and evaluate adult learners in both classroom and field environments.
6. Ability to apply established operational and safety procedures while exercising sound judgment in dynamic conditions.
7. Ability to mentor junior technicians and provide constructive technical guidance.
8. Strong organizational skills to manage logistics, equipment, and documentation across multiple training events.
9. Effective verbal and written communication skills for interaction with students, partner agencies, and program leadership.
10. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and computer-based systems used for training documentation and reporting.
Flight Operations Technician III
1. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
2. Comprehensive knowledge of FAA regulations, authorization processes, and compliance requirements governing UAS operations and training.
3. Advanced understanding of ASSUREd Safe instructional standards, evaluation methodologies, and credentialing processes.
4. Demonstrated expertise in planning, leading, and supervising complex UAS flight training operations.
5. Ability to assess operational risk, approve flight readiness, and adapt procedures to meet mission and environmental constraints.
6. Ability to develop and maintain standard operating procedures, safety documentation, and training guidance.
7. Strong leadership skills with the ability to supervise, mentor, and evaluate instructors and technicians.
8. Ability to coordinate effectively with federal, state, local, and industry partners.
9. Strong written communication skills, including preparation of operational plans, reports, and compliance documentation.
10. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and training management or data systems.
Senior Flight Operations Technician
1. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
2. Expert-level knowledge of aviation and UAS operational regulations, policies, and best practices across training and research environments.
3. Comprehensive understanding of national UAS training programs, credentialing frameworks, and workforce development models.
4. Demonstrated ability to lead enterprise-level aviation and flight training operations.
5. Ability to develop and implement operational strategy, safety management systems, and compliance frameworks.
6. Strong leadership and management skills, including workforce planning, supervision, and professional development.
7. Ability to translate sponsor, regulatory, and mission requirements into executable operational and training plans.
8. Advanced ability to assess and manage operational, safety, and resource risks across a broad portfolio.
9. Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills at senior government, academic, and industry levels.
10. Ability to support proposal development, program growth, and strategic partnerships.
11. High level of proficiency with business, operational, and reporting systems.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Occasional and/or light lifting required. Limited exposure to elements such as heat, cold, noise, dust, dirt, chemicals, etc., but none to the point of being disagreeable. May involve minor safety hazards where likely result would be cuts, bruises, etc.
Routine deadlines, usually sufficient lead time; variance in work volume predictable; priorities can be anticipated; some interruptions are present; involves occasional exposure to demands and pressure from persons other than immediate supervisor.
Job frequently requires standing, walking, climbing or balancing, stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling and lifting up to 50 pounds.
Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically, ability to distinguish colors.
Instructions for Applying:
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Apply online by submitting a cover letter, resume, and a copy of your transcript(s). Any social security numbers included on requested transcripts should be redacted prior to submitting online.
Restricted Clause:
Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
