Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Researcher (Scientist/Engineer I

Join our team as an Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Researcher (Scientist/Engineer III) and support NIST by NIST's Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) Division in leading systematic research into the long-range and autonomous flight of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS). This role applies best practices and known industry metrics to investigate critical gaps in command-and-control and signaling issues when UAS are used for public safety operations, and develops research methodology, simulator solutions, and measured results that inform policy changes to existing outputs, processes, techniques, or practices. The team member will oversee the planning, direction, and timely execution of a research effort, including development and assignment of goals and objectives.
The Communications Technology Laboratory's Public Safety Communications Research Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) requires this support to develop UAS communications standards leveraging drone simulator testing and to create a comprehensive test plan with UAS test methodologies to validate flight testing for long-range public safety use cases.

FWI is expanding rapidly and has been recognized as a 2024 and 2025 Top Workplace by the Washington Post, offering excellent growth opportunities in a collaborative environment.

Work Schedule and Location:

On-Site: This full-time on-site position will work Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM at NIST Boulder, CO Campus

Responsibilities

• Assist in designing experimental testing and development of multiple drone simulators for assessing packet loss, latency, data throughput, and other communications metrics, and document the procedures and technical results for future NIST publication.
• Assist in data collection from drone simulators and live UAS flight testing based on an iterative collection process.
• Assist in the development of test plans using UAS test methods performed for public safety use cases to support UAS research, including participating in user conferences, Part 107 flight testing with UAS, reviewing journal and technical papers, contributing to UAS studies, conducting stakeholder interviews, and reviewing documentation.
• Assist in the design and planning of an in-person stakeholder workshop engaging organizations to collect stakeholder feedback and ensure processes and outcomes align with stakeholder needs.
• Assist in designing and planning an in-person live flight-testing event with stakeholders, facilitating a draft test plan and repeatable tests for enabling test flights in real-world public safety UAS scenarios, including developing methodology for data collection from test administrators and coordinating general resources to support flight testing and data analysis in a controlled environment.
• Assist in documenting simulator experiments, UAS test methodologies, research designs, and outcomes to support the stakeholder workshop and flight-testing results for future application to UAS communications standards and technologies for public safety use cases.
• Provide presentation materials for diverse audiences internal to NIST and other Federal Government partners, as well as private industry or similar partners, to promote and increase awareness of the research program.
• Perform a full range of research and project management functions to work with PSCR R&D subject matter experts and staff, exercising judgment to interpret ambiguous guidelines, manage multiple deadlines, implement complex coordination, and review processes to ensure research and project management tasks are completed correctly within schedule and budget.
• Prepare monthly status reports and technical reports documenting research design, plans, and outcomes for the stakeholder workshop and flight-testing events.

Qualifications

Required:

• M.S. or Ph.D. degree from an accredited college or university in Engineering, Public Affairs, Public Administration, or a related field appropriate to the work required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the related field, specifically in UAS research and development, or a demonstrated equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Experience in research design and analysis.
• Holds an FAA Part 107 UAS pilot's license.
• Experience working collaboratively on UAS research projects.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills with demonstrated ability to exercise judgment to interpret ambiguous guidelines, manage multiple deadlines, implement complex coordination, and review processes.
• Ability to provide presentation materials for diverse audiences, including Federal Government partners and private industry.

Desired:

• MPA (Master's in Public Affairs or Public Administration) and/or PMP (Project Management Professional) certification.
• Experience working in a federal government environment, particularly with NIST or other scientific agencies.
• Experience with drone/UAS simulator platforms and communications testing (e.g., packet loss, latency, data throughput analysis).
• Experience facilitating stakeholder workshops or coordinating multi-organization research events.

FWI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.

Why Join Our Team

At FWI, we place the highest importance on creating an exceptional employee experience. You'll have opportunities to achieve your career aspirations through internal promotions, professional development, and other recognition and rewards programs. Join our team and take advantage of the many benefits we offer, including:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Holiday Pay
• Paid Time Off

Pay Range

$154,280.10 annually or $5,933.85 for 26 paychecks