Drone Light Show Pilot

JOB DESCRIPTION Find out more about this role by reading the information below, then apply to be considered. Location: Hybrid / Alexandria, VA - Remote Title: Drone Pilot Reports to: Director of Operations WHAT WE'RE ABOUT: Pixis Drones crafts awe-inspiring aerial experiences by marrying artistry, engineering, and storytelling. We design and deliver large-scale drone light shows for brands, live events, and cultural moments around the globe. We're a nimble, innovative, and entrepreneurial team passionate about precision, creativity, and pushing the boundaries of aerial entertainment. THE ROLE: You will serve as a flight lead (Pilot in Command or Co‐Pilot as assigned), responsible for the safe execution of drone light shows across an expansive scale—from small 100‐to-1,500 drone swarm operations—to translating artistic vision into safe, repeatable, high‐impact aerial performances. FULL JOB DESCRIPTION & RESPONSIBILITIES: Flight Operations & Safety Act as RPIC / Co‐Pilot for test flights, rehearsals, and live shows; maintain command/control of the swarm. Lead comprehensive pre‐mission planning: site survey, grid/coordinate design, pad layout, margin offsets, termination zones, redundancy, and emergency procedures. Ensure full regulatory compliance: FAA Part 107, Remote ID, airspace authorizations (via LAANC / DroneZone), night operations, and over‐people rules when applicable. Confirm night‐ops readiness: anti‐collision lighting, observer coverage, comms plan, geofence containment. Conduct on‐site safety briefings and risk reviews with your field crew, clients, and local stakeholders. Systems, Software & Data Configure and validate RTK GNSS / ground station systems, redundancy, firmware, and containment logic pre‐flight. Load, simulate, validate, and monitor show files; manage change control and version history. Operate or integrate with drone show control software / flight stacks (UGCS, PixHawk derivatives, vendor show platforms). Monitor the health of battery systems (cycle counts, voltage curves), maintain flight & maintenance logs, and enforce charging discipline. Field Leadership & Client Collaboration Lead, coordinate, and mentor a field crew (2–6 persons, scalable by show size) in setup, launch pad deployment, payload staging, and teardown. Act as the technical ambassador on site—interface with clients, venue staff, and regulatory/venue authorities. Troubleshoot live system anomalies, assess go / no‐go decisions, and abort show segments when necessary to protect safety and reputation. Maintenance & Operational Readiness Conduct field inspections, minor repairs, and triage RMA processes; support keeping the drone fleet in show‐ready condition. Update, refine, and enforce SOPs, checklists, and safety protocols; train newer pilots/crew on best practices and risk management. QUALIFICATIONS: FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate in good standing. Demonstrated experience with multi‐rotor sUAS, preprogrammed formation/waypoint missions, and swarm control (show experience strongly preferred). Proficiency with airspace systems (LAANC / DroneZone authorizations) and Remote ID compliance. Working knowledge of RTK GNSS, geofencing, redundancy, ground control stations, and radio links. Experience with one or more UAV / show software systems (UGCS, PixHawk, or equivalent). Strong discipline with documentation, checklists, logs, and standard operating procedures. Flexible schedule: ability to travel heavily (50%‐75%), work nights, weekends, holidays and in varied weather conditions. Preferred Proven experience in drone light show operations of 100+ drones — ideally up to swarm sizes in hundreds or more. Field leadership experience, including directing team operations and safety briefings. Familiarity with show tech ecosystems (timecode sync, audio/visual integration, communication chains). Background in military, robotics, entertainment technology, or aerial systems. HOW WE WORK At Pixis Drones, precision meets creative spectacle. We engineer safety into every show—from redundancy in hardware/software to procedural discipline and real‐time decision frameworks. Our creative edge is rooted in reliability and operational rigor. We welcome people from diverse domains—aviation, robotics, events, media—and provide systems training and mentorship to help you grow. PHYSICAL & OTHER REQUIREMENTS Ability to lift or carry up to ~50 lbs intermittently; comfortable with walking, standing, and field deployment tasks. Valid driver's license and ability to pass background / MVR checks. Calm under pressure and responsive in dynamic settings. NEXT STEPS: To apply for this position please respond to this posting with your cover letter, resume/portfolio, and salary requirements. Only qualified applicants will be contacted. xmcpwfu It is the policy of Pixis to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. In addition, Pixis will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. J-18808-Ljbffr