Mission Operator - Ground Systems

The RoleWe’re hiring mission operators to plan, coordinate, and execute real-world testing and data collection for Scout’s autonomous systems. This role owns the execution of field operations, leading ground and air teams to generate the data and validation required to build and deploy autonomy at scale.

You will be responsible for synchronizing multiple teams and platforms in dynamic environments, ensuring operations are executed safely, efficiently, and with high technical rigor. This includes coordinating UGVs and UAS, managing test objectives, and driving disciplined execution at our test site.

You will operate at the intersection of engineering and mission execution, translating technical goals into executable field plans, and ensuring high-quality data is collected under real-world conditions. This role requires leadership under pressure, strong operational judgment, and the ability to solve problems in real time.

Responsibilities

• Define, track, and deliver against field operations metrics, ensuring data collection targets are consistently met across testing cycles
• Plan and execute field operations involving coordinated ground and air systems for testing and data collection
• Lead and manage field teams (operators, engineers, technicians) during deployments and test events
• Translate engineering and product objectives into detailed, executable test plans and mission profiles
• Act as the on-site decision maker, ensuring safe, efficient, and disciplined execution of operations
• Coordinate timing, positioning, and tasking of UGV and UAS assets during missions
• Ensure high-quality data collection, including proper sensor configuration, logging, and validation
• Troubleshoot operational and technical issues in real time, coordinating closely with engineering teams
• Own site setup, logistics, and operational readiness for field deployments
• Develop and refine standard operating procedures (SOPs) for testing, data collection, and mission execution
• Capture and communicate detailed feedback from the field to engineering and product teams
• Support customer demonstrations and operational evaluations, ensuring professional execution and system performance, * Work on the world’s most important frontier, ensuring U.S. and allied dominance in the age of intelligent machines
• Be a core part of a team building the first defense-specific robotic foundation model
• Collaborate with some of the top engineers in autonomy, AI, and national security
• See your work deployed on real systems
• Help define the future of intelligent defense systems
• Backed by Draper Associates, Booz Allen Ventures, and other top investors

• Prior military experience (officer or senior enlisted), preferably in combat arms, aviation, reconnaissance, or technical units
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Robotics, or related field)
• 7+ years of experience leading teams in field operations, testing, or mission-driven environments
• Proven ability to coordinate complex operations involving multiple teams and systems
• Strong technical foundation with the ability to understand and troubleshoot integrated hardware/software systems
• Experience operating in dynamic, high-pressure environments with incomplete information
• Demonstrated leadership, decision-making, and accountability in real-world operations
• Strong communication skills and ability to align technical and operational teams
• Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities
• Passion about defense of the United States and its allies
• May be expected to obtain and hold a U.S. Top Secret security clearance, Acceptance Testing, Aerospace and Defense, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Aviation Industry, Communication Skills, Customer Support/Service, Data Collection, Data Quality, Dental Insurance, Electricity, Field Trials, Hardware-Software Integration, Identify Issues, Leadership, Logistics, Mechanical Engineering, Metrics, Military, Multiplatform/Cross-Platform, Operational Audit, Organizational Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Product Demonstration, Robotics, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Standards Development, System Test, Team Building, Team Lead/Manager, Test Data, Testing, Track and Field, Truck Driver, Vision Plan

• Competitive base salary and bonus
• Meaningful equity
• Premium medical, dental, and vision plans with $0 paycheck contribution
• Competitive PTO and company holiday calendar
• Unlimited AI tokens
• Catered lunch daily and fully stocked kitchen
• EV charging
• Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility)

The stated salary range below represents an estimated base pay only and reflects consideration of multiple compensation factors. Final salary offers may differ depending on factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience or training background, specialized skills, and business needs. Most full-time positions also include highly competitive equity awards, which form part of Scout AI’s overall compensation package. In addition, Scout AI provides comprehensive, top-tier benefits to full-time employees.

US Salary Range

$85,000 - $155,000USD

The future of defense will be decided by those who field intelligent machines at scale. At Scout AI, we’re developing Fury, the first robotic foundation model for defense, to give U.S. forces overwhelming, adaptable, and autonomous power across every domain. Fury enables human operators to command fleets of robots through natural language, and empowers those machines to sense, decide, and act together as one. This mission will ask everything of us: urgency, precision, and relentless work.