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UAS Pilot - Skunk Works, Palmdale, CA… at Lockheed Martin · Palmdale
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Job Description
Job Description
Job Title: UAS Pilot - Skunk Works, Palmdale, CA - Level 5
Posting Start Date: 8/25/26
Standard Job Description
You will be the UAS Pilot - Skunk Works for the which is responsible for advanced unmanned aircraft development and testing.
What You Will Be Doing As the UAS Pilot - Skunk Works you will be responsible for providing expert flight‑operations support for experimental, engineering, and production‑acceptance flight tests of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). Your responsibilities will include:
- Planning, executing, and evaluating flight‑test missions to ensure compliance with specifications and operational suitability.
- Delivering classroom, ground, and flight training for customer aircrew and support academic instruction.
- Performing technical and mission planning, systems integration, and real‑time troubleshooting during flight operations.
- Providing avionics expertise and guidance to engineering, design, development, and marketing teams.
- Analyzing test data and recommending improvements to Human‑Machine Interface and ground‑station functionality.
What’s In It For You We are committed to supporting your work‑life balance and overall well‑being, offering flexible scheduling options. Learn more about Lockheed Martin’s comprehensive benefits package here. Do you want to be part of a company culture that empowers employees to think big, lead with a growth mindset, and make the impossible a reality? We provide the resources and give you the flexibility to enable inspiration and focus – if you have the passion and courage to pursue challenging missions, work hard, and enjoy what you do, then we want to build a better tomorrow with you.
Who You Are You are a decisive, collaborative aviator with a strong technical background and a proven record of executing complex flight‑test programs. You thrive in fast‑paced, innovative environments and excel at translating technical data into actionable insights. Your ability to mentor and train aircrew, coupled with a focus on safety and mission success, makes you an ideal fit for this critical role.
Further Information About This Opportunity
This position is in Palmdale, CA Discover Palmdale.
MUST BE A U.S. CITIZEN – This position is located at a facility that requires special access. The selected candidate must possess an active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility to start.
#flightops
Basic Qualifications
• 8+ Years Experience operating large UAS under DoD instruction/regulations w/500 hours minimum PIC time.
• Experience in flight testing with the ability to work with engineering to develop solutions to integration issues and to bridge our customers with the LM engineering teams.
• In-depth knowledge of military publications and understanding of NAS/ICAO requirements for large UAS operations.
• In-depth knowledge/understanding of aircraft survivability strategies and tactics.
• Current Top Secret Clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain program access within a reasonable period, as determined by the company to meet its business needs.
Desired Skills
• Advanced UAS Operations: Experience with integration, operation and ground control of various UAS platforms.
• Graduate of a formal Test Pilot School.
• Current or demonstrated experience as an instructor from any DoD Branch.
• Excellent communications skills, including the ability to brief test results to executive leadership.
Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $145100.00 - $269500.00
At Lockheed Martin, we know mission success starts with taking care of our people. Our Total Rewards program is designed to attract top talent, support your well-being, and help you grow—both professionally and personally.
The salary range for this position is as listed on the requisition. Please note that the salary information listed is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market(work location) and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible work arrangements and schedules (e.g., 4x10), 401(k) match, Paid time off, Holidays, Parental Leave, EAP, Flexible Spending Accounts, Education Assistance, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.
- Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be offered depending on the position. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year and are tied to a range of performance metrics.
- For (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.