Platform Support Operator (PSO) - UAS / FPV

Join Tough Stump Technologies in a field-forward operational role supporting UAS training, demonstrations, testing, and customer missions.

Location

Southern Pines / Carthage, NC, with CONUS travel

Company

Tough Stump Technologies, LLC

Position Type

Full-Time, Fixed-Term (6 Months)

Travel

Frequent CONUS travel, including short-notice travel; occasional international travel may be required

Primary Focus

UAS operations, FPV instruction, training support, demonstrations, testing, and field operations

Initial Term

Six (6) months

Position Overview

Tough Stump Technologies, LLC is seeking experienced Platform Support Operators (PSOs) for an initial six (6) month full-time term supporting UAS training, field operations, demonstrations, testing, and customer engagements.

This is not a traditional single-program assignment. PSOs are members of the Tough Stump operating team and may support multiple TST programs, customers, training events, business-development activities, and internal operational requirements.

For designated customer programs, PSOs serve as qualified platform operators in support of the customer's Technical Operations Instructor or Technical Lead. The customer retains overall event leadership, technical execution, safety authority, and customer interaction, while the PSO provides qualified operational capacity.

Primary Responsibilities

· UAS and FPV platform setup and preparation

· Pre-operational inspections and checks

· System configuration and mission preparation

· UAS and FPV flight operations

· Basic and advanced platform operation

· Classroom and field-training support

· Support to customer demonstrations and operational events

· Test and evaluation activities

· Operator-level troubleshooting and fault isolation

· Platform recovery, teardown, and post-operation readiness activities

· Equipment accountability and configuration control

· Battery, controller, payload, and support-equipment preparation

· Support to recurring platform proficiency and qualification events

· Training of military, government, public-safety, and other authorized personnel

· Rapid familiarization and qualification on new UAS platforms

Minimum Qualifications

· Current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate

· Demonstrated UAS operational experience

· Experience supporting U.S. Government and/or military operations, training, exercises, or programs

· Ability to become qualified on customer-specific UAS platforms

· Demonstrated safe and proficient aircraft operation

· Ability to work independently within assigned qualifications

· Ability to follow established technical, operational, and safety procedures

· Availability for frequent CONUS travel, short-notice tasking, and occasional international travel

· Professional communication skills in classroom, field, and customer environments

· Ability to successfully complete required background screening

Highly Desired Qualifications

· Quad-copter UAS operational experience desired, with experience on other UAS platforms also considered

· FPV instructor experience or formal FPV training credentials

· U.S. Military Special Operations experience highly desired

· Experience training government or military personnel in UAS operations

· Advanced FPV operations experience

· Instructor, evaluator, or standardization experience

· TAK / ATAK-enabled operational experience

· Field demonstration, experimentation, exercise, or test-event experience

· Field-level UAS troubleshooting and repair experience

Training and Qualification

Selected PSOs should expect to complete customer-specific training and qualification before supporting certain assignments. Training may include initial platform training, operator or instructor courses, platform-specific qualification, advanced platform training, new-platform familiarization, refresher or sustainment training, practical exercises, and proficiency evaluations.

Work Environment

Work may occur in classrooms, UAS training areas, military installations, test and evaluation locations, customer facilities, TST facilities in Carthage, North Carolina, other CONUS field environments, and occasional international locations. Candidates should be comfortable traveling with equipment, supporting variable schedules, and adapting to changing operational requirements.

What Makes This Role Different

A TST Platform Support Operator is not assigned to sit on a single contract waiting for work. TST PSOs are part of a broader operating team and may support customer programs, TST training, demonstrations, internal development, business-development activities, exercises, and other company requirements based on qualifications and operational demand. The position is offered initially for a six-month term, allowing TST and the employee to evaluate performance, operational demand, and potential longer-term fit.

Background Screening

Employment and customer assignments may require identity verification, criminal-history screening, employment verification, and education or credential verification. Individual programs may additionally require drug testing, citizenship or work-authorization verification, security eligibility, installation access, or other customer-specific screening.

Compensation, Incentives, and Employment Term

This position offers a compensation range based on current market standards, along with competitive benefits designed to support and reward our team members. Placement within the range will be based on relevant UAS and FPV experience, government or military operational experience, certifications, instructional capability, platform proficiency, travel availability, and overall fit for the assigned mission. TST also plans to offer performance-based incentives that may be earned during the term. Specific incentive opportunities, performance objectives, and evaluation criteria will be discussed during the hiring process.

Employment beyond the initial six-month term is not guaranteed. TST will evaluate business requirements, individual performance, achievement of agreed performance objectives, operational demand, contribution to TST customer and internal requirements, and overall fit when determining whether to extend employment beyond the initial term. Extension criteria and any applicable incentive opportunities will be discussed during the hiring process.

About Tough Stump Technologies

Tough Stump Technologies, LLC supports military, government, public-safety, and commercial customers with unmanned systems, tactical situational awareness, training, technology integration, and field-oriented operational support. TST emphasizes practical capability, operator proficiency, rapid integration, and solutions designed for real-world use.

How to Apply

· Submit a resume highlighting FAA Part 107 status

· List UAS platforms operated and FPV experience

· Include instructor and U.S. Government / military operational experience

· List relevant certifications

· Provide current location and CONUS / occasional international travel availability

Pay: $31.25 - $40.87 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

401(k)
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Health savings account
Paid time off
Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

Experience supporting U.S. Government and/or military operations, training, exercises, or programs

Experience:

UAS: 2 years (Required)

License/Certification:

FAA 107 (Required)

Location:

Southern Pines, NC 28387 (Preferred)

Willingness to travel:

25% (Required)

Work Location: In person

Tough Stump Technologies

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Platform Support Operator (PSO) - UAS / FPV