Chief Pilot - Unmanned Aerial Systems

Position Information

Position Information (Default Section)

Job Title
Chief Pilot - Unmanned Aerial Systems

Location
National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence (NAAMCE)

Job Number
05511

Department
Unmanned Aerial Systems

Job Category
Professional

Job Type
Full-Time

Status
Regular

Job Open Date
07/16/2026

Resume Review Date
08/04/2026

Closing Date
08/03/2026

Open Until Filled
No

Position Summary

The Chief Pilot position exists to manage and execute the vision of the National UAS Training and Certification Center, with a focus on Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), electric Vertical-Take-Off-and-Landing (eVTOL), traditional aircraft flight operations, as well as client and partner collaborations and support. The Chief Pilot leads a team of technical experts and UAS and traditional aircraft crew members to conduct training and education, applied research and development, services, crew currency and compliance, and other operational tasks for internal and external stakeholders. The position supports revenue generation goals working with other senior personnel in the UAS department.

The potential minimum compensation for this position begins at $59,661.00 and is commensurate with education and experience.

Why work for Sinclair College?

The following are some of the benefits that professional staff with Sinclair College receive:
Tuition waiver for employee and dependents for all Sinclair courses and programs
Support for continued training and education, including tuition reimbursement for other universities and colleges.
OPERS pension participation, with 14% employer contribution
4+ weeks of personal and vacation leave, 3+ weeks of sick leave annually
14 days of annually observed company holidays
Expansive and competitive insurance programs, including an HSA with annual employer contribution available
High quality programs for work-life balance
*SCC has the right to revise this position description at any time. This position description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.

Principal Accountabilities

Organize and execute UAS, AAM Conventional-Take-Off-and-Landing (CTOL) and Vertical-Take-Off-and-Landing (VTOL), and traditional aircraft flight operations, lab activities, and customer and partner engagements leading a team of technical experts and UAS, AAM CTOL and VTOL, and traditional aircraft crew members
Advance revenue generation opportunities including meetings with current or potential clients and support of proposal development
Support public awareness of UAS and AAM and advance the Sinclair brand nationally and internationally through demonstrations, speaking engagements, and other outreach activities
Manage condition and readiness of UAS facilities, equipment, vehicles, crew qualifications/currency, and training and other resources including those associated with AAM CTOL and VTOL and traditional aircraft to ensure ability to support standard and potential emergency aircraft operations and client support
Perform other duties assigned by the Chief Research Officer or Deputy Director for Unmanned Aerial Systems
Requirements

Minimum of a bachelor's degree in related topic required; master's degree in a related topic preferred
Minimum of 5 years of related aviation, UAS, or AAM industry work experience required
Background in aviation with traditional aircraft, AAM, and UAS related experience required
Current Remote Pilot Certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) required
Current Private Pilot Certificate issued by the FAA required
Current Commercial Pilot Certificate issued by the FAA required
Current Instrument Rating issued by the FAA required
Current Certified Flight Instructor and Flight Instructor - Instrument Ratings issued by the FAA required
Current or ability to obtain an FAA Second Class Medical required
Proven prior strategic planning and project management experience preferred
Strong personnel management, team building, team interaction and conflict resolution skills required
Strong organizational and analytical skills required
Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external customers and partners required
Strong PC skills, including standard office tools and industry specific software packages required
UAS operational flight experience on a variety of small UAS required
Certification through UAS, AAM, or traditional aircraft Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) authorized training program is preferred
Traditional aircraft fixed-wing flight experience required
Traditional aircraft helicopter flight experience preferred
Familiarity with and ability to instruct using UAS and AAM simulators preferred
Familiarity with and ability to instruct using traditional aircraft simulators and flight training devices preferred
Ability to create and use appropriate tools to manage people and tasks required
Experience in building an internal/external team to execute tactical operations and advance strategic and business strategies required
Excellent oral and written communication and listening skills, including experience in preparing and delivering proposals, reports and presentations required
Demonstrated experience developing, packaging, and delivering educational/training content preferred
Ability to read, research, and comprehend technical and regulatory documents required
Demonstrated experience managing a wide variety of technical and operational projects required
Proven ability to develop and sustain productive customer relationships required
U.S. Citizenship preferred
U.S. Passport preferred