Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Job Description:
The Senior Air Vehicle Operator (AVO) – Deployment Operations is responsible for executing and leading V-BAT flight operations in support of DoD and foreign customers in both land-based and maritime OCONUS environments. This is an operationally focused role requiring strong aviation judgment, disciplined execution, and the ability to lead small teams in austere and high-visibility conditions.
The Senior AVO is responsible for leading mission planning activities, performing comprehensive risk assessments, delivering pre-mission briefings, executing flight operations, and conducting structured post-flight debriefs. This role includes conducting Functional Check Flights (FCFs) and system validation as required, ensuring aircraft configuration control and logbook accuracy, coordinating with maintenance to sustain fleet readiness, and supporting overall operational discipline. The Senior AVO will mentor junior operators, serve as the on-site operational representative to customers, and travel extensively in support of deployments.
This is not an entry-level flight operations role. The ideal candidate brings strong aviation fundamentals, disciplined cockpit habits, and mature operational decision-making. They must be comfortable leading deployments, briefing customers, managing risk in dynamic environments, and maintaining professionalism in high-visibility settings. The Senior AVO must balance mission execution with customer satisfaction while upholding the highest standards of safety, compliance, and operational excellence.
Required Qualifications:
Minimum of 2000 documented unmanned flight hours or 1000 manned flight hours
Demonstrated instructor experience (manned or unmanned aviation)
FAA Private Pilot License (PPL)
FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
Ability to obtain and maintain an FAA Class II Medical Certificate
Ability to obtain and hold a Secret DoD security clearance
Ability to pass background, drug screening, and customer-required medical/dental screenings
Willingness to travel up to 50–75% in support of deployments
Ability to lead and operate independently in small teams under austere conditions
Strong aviation judgment, decision-making, and risk management skills
Preferred Qualifications
FAA Instrument Rating and/or Commercial Pilot License
Experience operating as aircrew on manned aircraft
Prior military service, particularly with overseas or deployed operations
Maritime or shipboard UAS operational experience
Previous experience as a Site Lead or in a leadership role overseeing aviation operations
