"Alerted.org

Posting Detail Information

Working TitleCSU Drone Center - UAS Research Technician

Position LocationFort Collins, CO

Work LocationPosition is fully in-office/in-person

Research Professional PositionNo

Posting Number202501372AP

Position TypeAdmin Professional/ Research Professional

Classification TitleProf/Indiv Contrib II

Number of Vacancies1

Work Hours/Week40

Proposed Annual Salary Range$65,000 to $75,000 commensurate with education, experience and qualifications

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

+ Review our detailed benefits information here. (https://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/01/benefits-summary-afap.pdf)

+ Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

+ For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator (https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/) .

+ Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in (https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-community/) !

Desired Start Date11/03/2025

Position End Date (if temporary)

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on10/17/2025

Description of Work Unit

The CSU Drone Center (https://www.research.colostate.edu/csudronecenter/) is a Core Facility at CSU . The Drone Center is supported by the Office of theVice President for Research (https://www.research.colostate.edu/) and theWalter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering. (https://www.engr.colostate.edu/) The Drone Center offices and lab are in the Daryl Simons Building at the Engineering Research Center.

The Drone Center exists to serve the research, educational, outreach, and service needs of the University as it relates to Unmanned Aerial Systems ( UAS ), more commonly called drones. The work unit is comprised of the Director, an Assistant Director, a UAS Research Technician and five part time student hourly employees. They work together to provide drone flight services, aircraft building/integration, research support and consultation, computer mapping/modeling, educational programs, airfield management, and community engagement. The Drone Center staff also hosts teaching and training workshops for drone piloting, FAA endorsement, mapping and modeling, and first responder flight trainings.

Fort Collins is an attractive community of about 170,000 along the Colorado Front Range at the base of the Rocky Mountains, 65 miles north of Denver. The city is routinely recognized as one of the most desirable places to live in the United States. It consistently ranks high on quality-of-life measures by numerous publications; see https://www.fcgov.com/visitor/awards for the complete list.

The Front Range has developed into a high-tech hub with companies such as Woodward, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, IBM , Intel, Keysight Technologies, Broadcomm, AMD , Xilinx, Ball Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman located in or near Fort Collins. The city offers a pleasant climate with excellent schools and abundant cultural and recreational opportunities nearby. For more information on Fort Collins, please visit the City’s website:www.visitftcollins.com.

Position Summary

The UAS Research Technician will assist in all aspects of supporting the CSU Drone Center, but with a strong focus on growing the CSU Drone Centers research portfolio. This will be done through flight operations, client acquisition, expanding research applications, and management of the SITTs site. Their role will be pivotal to the center’s success and incorporates collaboration with a wide range of clientele and internal and external education and program support.

The UAS Research Technician will also be responsible for:

+ CSU Drone Center aircraft maintenance, fleet readiness and tracking, and federal aircraft law and policy compliance.

+ They will fill the role of chief safety officer for the CSU Drone Center and be responsible for regular safety audits and potential stand-downs as required.

+ Co-instruct CSU Drone Center workshops and seminars

+ Frequently participate in UAS field work including UAS mapping, photogrammetry, aerial photography, and videography, and may involve deploying in support of local, state, and federal agencies.

This position directly supports the technical/research functions of the Center and may assist with maintenance and development of UAS systems at the component level and will assist with managing airspace and drone use at the Christman Airfield.

This is a full-time position based in Fort Collins, CO reporting to the Drone Center Director.

Applicants must be willing to work non-standard hours including some early mornings, nights, and weekends. The UAS Research Technician will be required to travel up to 30% of the time primarily within the state of Colorado, but some US and international travel may be possible.

The successful applicant must be authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date, the department will not sponsor a visa for this position.

Required Job Qualifications

+ Associates degree OR two (2) years of full-time experience working in higher education, aviation, marketing / communications, engineering or program management

+ Current FAA Part 107 certification / sUAS rating, with at least two (2) years of remote pilot/ RPIC experience and at least 100 documented flight hours

+ Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date

+ At least one (1) year of demonstrated experience at the UAS technician level to include work with various sensors, payloads, flight controller systems and components

+ Demonstrated experience with UAS software and hardware, including, but not limited to production DJI , Autel, Wingtra, PX4, and Ardupilot sUAS systems

+ Strong working knowledge of the Microsoft Office and Google Suites and associated workflows

+ Strong working knowledge of UAS multi-rotor and fixed wing airframes and components

+ Motivated to work in a high-performance team to innovate, educate, and promote the next chapter of aviation

+ Willing and able to work non-standard hours including some early mornings, evenings, and weekends.

+ Willing and able to travel approximately 30% of the time locally and across the U.S.

+ The successful applicant must be authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date, the department will not sponsor a visa for this position.

Preferred Job Qualifications

+ Bachelors Degree in any engineering, remote sensing, or computer science field

+ UAS program administration experience in an educational or research field, most notably in an R1 research context or affiliate

+ Private Pilot Certificate or greater

+ Experience with applications for certificate of waivers or certificates of authorization with the FAA

+ Experience tracking and managing UAS fleet maintenance and pilot credentialing

+ At least five (5) years of experience working full-time in a university or K-12 education setting

+ Prior military experience or work with defense / aerospace organizations or contracts

+ Volunteer experience with youth groups, scouts, 4H or similar organizations

+ Demonstrated public speaking experience in an education and / or public safety or event management setting

+ Basic small electrical skills such as soldering, wire harness assembly, and micro-computer assembly and programming

+ Basic computer programming skills

Essential Duties

Job Duty CategoryResearch Collaboration and Development

Duty/Responsibility

+ The Drone Center Research UAS Technician will work to develop research initiatives and collaborations within CSU , governmental, and industrial partners. This will include participating in research grants, applications, and development of research support with UAS .

+ Management of the SITTs site

Percentage Of Time50%

Job Duty CategoryTeaching & Instruction

Duty/Responsibility

+ The Drone Center UAS Technician will be responsible for co-instructing and assisting the Assistant Director with workshops which include but are not limited to the Center’s “CSU Drone Flight School”.

+ These workshops will assist attendees with obtaining their Part 107 sUAS credentials.

+ The workshop will also teach attendees to safely operate drones in the national airspace system.

+ These workshops will occur statewide at various locations.

Percentage Of Time25%

Job Duty CategoryDrone / sUAS piloting

Duty/Responsibility

+ The Drone Center UAS Technician will serve as one of the primary pilots for the center. It will be their responsibility to ensure drone missions are carried out safely and within the regulations of any state, local, or federal law.

+ The Drone Center UAS Technician will maintain certification(s) and skillsets to be able to physically fly and operate a majority of aircraft assigned to the center.

+ The Drone Center UAS Technician will pilot aircraft for both internal and external customers of CSU .

+ Serve as the Chief safety officer for the CSU Drone Center and be responsible for regular safety audits and potential stand-down’s as required.

+ Responsible for frequent UAS field work including UAS mapping, photogrammetry, aerial photography, and videography, and may involve deploying in support of local, state, and federal agencies.

Percentage Of Time15%

Job Duty CategoryDrone Center Fleet Management / Aircraft Maintenance

Duty/Responsibility

+ The Drone Center UAS Technician assists with maintaining a fleet of CSU owned, CSU insured aircraft and sensors, available to the CSU community for flight use.

+ The Drone Center UAS Technician advises the Assistant Director and Director on additions of aircraft and sensors necessary to keep the CSU Drone Center current with technology and able to provide adequate drone resources to the CSU Community, and reports any issues or equipment needs as necessary.

Percentage Of Time10%

Application Details

Special Instructions to Applicants

To apply, please upload:

+ Cover letter that specifically addresses the minimum and preferred qualifications of this position

+ Current Resume or CV

+ Contact information for three (3) professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates.

+ Under License/Certification: FAA Part 107 UAS drone license / sUAS rating and recurrent if applicable,

+ Under Special Required Documentation: UAS flight log, please include part 61 flight if you have a pilot’s license or greater

CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.

Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Conditions of EmploymentPre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License, Travel - Approximately 30%

Search ContactChristopher Robertson, [email protected]

EEO

Colorado State University ( CSU ) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

References Requested

References Requested

Minimum Requested3

Maximum Requested3

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

+ * The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date. The Department will not sponsor a visa for this position. Will you be legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date?

+ Yes

+ No

+ * Do you have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.

+ Yes

+ No

+ * Are you willing to work non-standard hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends?

+ Yes

+ No

+ * Are you willing to travel in/out of state as needed on CSU business?

+ Yes

+ No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

+ Cover Letter

+ Resume or CV

+ License/Certification

+ Special Required Documentation

Optional Documents