[Hiring] Drone Field Engineer @Orqa

Role Description

We are seeking a hands-on Field Application Engineer (FPV Integration & Flight Ops) to manage payload and radio integrations on our existing FPV airframes, lead live flight demonstrations for customers, and handle field testing. This is not an R&D or flight-dynamics design role; you will not be spending time analyzing blackbox logs, building airframes from scratch, or tuning PIDs and notch filters. Instead, you will:

• Take proven platforms, integrate custom customer payloads and specialized RF systems.
• Flash and configure them in Betaflight.
• Fly them with precision in manual Acro mode during customer demos and field trials.

While primarily remote within the US Eastern Time Zone (with strong preference for someone local to the Bradenton/Sarasota area), this position requires regular travel across the country and occasional international trips to demonstrate capabilities, run acceptance flights, and integrate gear directly at client facilities.

Qualifications

• Proven, confident stick time flying FPV multirotors in full Acro mode, able to fly smooth, repeatable flight lines for customer demos under scrutiny.
• Strong proficiency in Betaflight Configuration: Fast and accurate navigation of the Configurator and CLI (resource mapping, UART assignments, modes, failsafe setups, and feature toggles).
• Hands-on experience integrating control links and telemetry.
• Strong preference for familiarity with ImmersionRC Ghost / IronGhost protocols, along with working knowledge of standard protocols (CRSF, SBUS, ExpressLRS).
• Clear understanding of antenna placement, RF separation, frequency coordination, and basic RF hygiene on compact airframes.
• Clean, reliable soldering (power leads, small-pitch pads on flight controllers, sub-miniature connectors).
• Solid bench testing and multi-tester troubleshooting habits (continuity checks, polarity verification, voltage step-downs).
• Valid U.S. Passport with the unrestricted ability to travel internationally.
• Ability to travel 25–40% domestically and internationally.
• Active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
• Must reside in the US Eastern Time Zone; candidates in or near Bradenton / Sarasota, FL are strongly preferred.

Requirements

• Mount, wire, and verify third-party and custom payloads (cameras, thermal imagers, drop mechanisms, sensors, specialized emitters).
• Configure and integrate communication links, video transmitters, and control links natively within Betaflight (port assignments, MSP/serial configurations, channel mapping, OSD, and failsafe logic).
• Build custom wire harnesses, solder power leads, and ensure clean, reliable DC power delivery from flight packs and dedicated regulators to auxiliary systems.
• Serve as the primary demonstration pilot, flying customer-configured platforms cleanly, smoothly, and safely in Acro (Manual/Rate) mode.
• Travel to customer sites to conduct live proofs-of-concept, payload integration testing, and operational field evaluations.
• Execute disciplined pre-flight procedures: verify failsafes, check link quality/RSSI, run video channel sweeps, and inspect hardware before flights.
• Rapidly diagnose and fix field issues on-site (pinout swaps, re-soldering connections, flashing firmware, troubleshooting dropped telemetry or video noise).
• Serve as the practical technical resource for clients during and after deployments, providing operational guidance, pinout documentation, and quick-start checklists.

Benefits

• Exposure to ArduPilot for basic parameter loading or status checks.
• Former Military experience is a plus.
• Light 3D CAD experience (Fusion 360) and 3D printing (TPU/PETG) to produce fast, custom brackets for one-off payload integrations.
• Experience interfacing with defense, industrial, or public safety end-users.