Salary/Position Classification

• $61,000 annual, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• This position will work onsite the Grand Forks, ND campus.

Purpose of Position

The Autonomous Systems Operations Lead supports UND RIAS in the safe execution of operations. This position supports readiness activities including preparation coordination, leads the execution of operations with external crews, and acts as an autonomous systems operations Subject Matter Expert. The Autonomous Systems Operations Lead will also support other tasks within UND RIAS including but not limited to business development, outreach, project coordination, etc. This position will require occasional in-state and out-of-state travel.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Support Operational Programs, Processes, and Equipment
  • Coordinate with project managers and research managers on operational spending to ensure that expenses are consistent with approved budgets,
  • Assist in the coordination of operational personnel, field services, and logistics support for all operations.
  • Responsible for facilitating all matters related to the safe conduct of operation such as airspace approval, airworthiness certification, and crew qualifications.
  • Assist in managing operation daily processes such as planning, execution, and maintenance.
  • Assist in the development and maintenance of operation division documents, such as crewmember training outlines, operations manuals, and procedure manuals.
  • Support technical writing including operational proposal documents, periodic reports, final project reports, and client/research proposals.
  • Responsible for compliance with Emergency Response Plan. Coordinate, as required, incident, accident, and occurrence event investigations.
  • Ensure that Autonomous Systems Operators have the necessary resources to perform the functions of their positions in compliance with applicable regulations.
  • Plan, direct, or coordinate the training and development activities of Autonomous Systems Operators. 
  • Participate in, support, and assist in leading RIAS outreach events.
• Operations Support
  • Operate autonomous systems
  • Plan, direct, manage, and coordinate operations
    • Establish and verify crew qualifications.
    • Ensure aircraft airworthiness.
    • Review Concept of Operations and Safety Risk Assessments
    • Coordinate associated regulatory approvals.
  • Ensure the safe execution of all UND RIAS operations.
    • Participation in daily pre and post flight briefings, as required.
    • Collect accurate and complete safety data and reporting requirements, as required.
  • Ensure compliance with appropriate regulations/approvals, UND RIAS procedures, and additional operational requirements.
  • Ensure flight activities are conducted in accordance with test objectives and project requirements.
  • Ensure data collection is conducted in a timely and accurate fashion and in accordance with data reporting requirements.
  • Operate UND RIAS aircraft and/or fulfill crewmember roles, as required.
  • Assist in managing and maintaining the UND RIAS fleet. 
• Operational Readiness
  • Coordinate with the crew entities to schedule test activities meeting project goals.
  • Ensure crews understand test objectives and requirements.
  • Support Operational Safety Review activities such as:
    • Concept of Operation development,
    • Safety Risk Management,
    • Test Plan and Test Card development,
    • Waiver applications,
    • Stakeholder coordination.
  • Support training of visual observers, mission commanders, or other supporting flight operations staff.
  • Assist projects from inception to conclusion, including but not limited to:
    • Support planning, design/shape, and implementation of projects,
    • Maintain accurate tracking of operational requirements for the project, 
    • Prepare materials for submission to funding agencies, including any reporting requirements,
    • Support compilation of RIAS project final reports,
    • Prepare project specific presentation materials for conferences and meetings as needed,
    • Support potential client calls via email and teleconferences, as required,
    • Support local, regional, and state meetings and conferences, as required.
  • Support updating the RIAS project and event management tool on a regular basis.
  • Support RIAS project and leadership meetings as needed. 
• Autonomous Systems Operations Subject Matter Expert
  • Support development of operational documents
  • Stay up-to-date on regulation guidance.
  • Stay up-to-date on industry standards and other industry best practices.
  • Incorporate operational best practices, lessons learned, and industry standards into UND RIAS operations and policies.
  • Be available as a resource to UND RIAS personnel for flight related questions.
  • Conduct data reporting activities in compliance with data reporting requirements.
  • Support potential client calls via email and teleconferences, as required.
  • Support local, regional and state meetings and conferences, as required.
  • Assist with research related to Autonomous Systems including data processing and analysis 
• Office Work/Additional Responsibilities
  • Provide high quality customer service to a wide variety of clients.
  • Support potential client calls via email and teleconferences, as required.
  • Support local, regional, and state meetings and conferences, as required.
  • Stay up to date and incorporate FAA guidance on Unmanned Aircraft.
  • Stay up to date on industry standards and other industry best practices.
  • Supervise or operate other autonomous systems.
  • Other duties as assigned. 

Required Competencies

• Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends, as required.
• Willingness and ability to travel, as required.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal, teamwork, written and verbal communication skills.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to perform without direct supervision.
• Demonstrated attention to detail.
• Proven ability to handle multiple priorities in a busy office setting.
• Proven ability to provide excellent customer service to a wide variety of clients.
• Proven ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Proficient with Office365 applications.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelors degree. May 2025 graduates will be considered.
• 1 year of UAS operations experience.
• Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) License and/or manned aircraft license
• Export Control Compliance: This position requires compliance with U.S. government export control laws and regulations. Applicants are required to be eligible for employment under U.S. export control laws and must meet the requirement of being a “U.S. Person” (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C.1324b (a)(3)). UND will not sponsor applicants for employment authorization for this position. Information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. export control laws and will be used in compliance with all laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors.
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in an aviation related field.
• Experience with UAS training curriculum
• Experience with UAS maintenance programs
• Experience with Test Plans and Test Cards.
• Experience with FAA waivers including Part 107 and Part 91.
• Experience with Concept of Operation documents.
• 3+ years of UAS experience.
• Commercial Pilot License.
• Experience building, configuring, maintaining, and fixing custom fixed wing, multirotor, and VTOL UAS using Pixhawk, Ardupilot, and other autopilots in addition to experience with off the shelf aircraft like DJI, Parrot, Skydio, etc.
• Experience operating in counter UAS demonstrations

To Apply

Submit RPIC License or other aircraft license, current resume/CV and cover letter detailing how you meet each of the minimum requirements, competencies, and any preferred qualifications you have.