UAV jobs?

bigduke6 · by **bigduke6** » 16 Nov 2009, 00:31

I was wondering if anyone has any first hand knowledge of doing contract work on UAV's? I understand that General Atomics has the bulk of the jobs, and primarily at Creech AFB, NV. Just wanted to get some first hand feedback on what its like. Thanks.

alamoblock60 · by **alamoblock60** » 03 Dec 2009, 03:34

General Atomics (GA) builds the MQ-1 Predator and the MQ-9 Reaper. Both fly at Creech and Holloman AFB, NM. There is also a Predator unit at Clovis AFB, NM. Near Tucson AZ, Upstate New York, MArch AFB, CA, North or South Dakota and other places, more to follow I'm sure. GA has a presense whereever these aircraft fly. Another company, Battlespace Systems has contracts for organizational level maintenance at Creech, Clovis, and some overseas positions. GA hires its own employees and subcontracts some labor thru LSI. You're a full time employee with full bennies. If you're at Creech, you will probably rotate overseas for about 4 months a year. Battlespace hires folks based on a "school year" program; you deplpoy overseas for 4 months, come back to the states and you're off for 4 months, you can't draw unemployment, but you can get another job while you wait for your next deployment. Check out both company web sites for jobs. Also, Sierra Nevada Corporation and SAIC are getting into the UAV ground station support business, check thier sites as well.

cutlassracer · by **cutlassracer** » 08 Dec 2009, 03:36

Two guys in my shop have quit and gone to Battle Space (and for that matter, I'm giving it alot of thought). Those guys are making around $65,000 for a 4 month deployment. 12hrs/7days for shifts, but niether one has said anything bad about them. Seem to like it fine, and for the pay, who wouldn't?

sgeary · by **sgeary** » 23 Dec 2009, 13:40

I signed on with Battlespace and leave for training Jan 10 2010 email me if you have any info that may help me... sgeary15@cox.net

aitke12 · by **aitke12** » 23 Dec 2009, 18:26

sgeary wrote:I signed on with Battlespace and leave for training Jan 10 2010 email me if you have any info that may help me... sgeary15@cox.net

What kind of qualifications are they looking for?. Thanks.

cutlassracer · by **cutlassracer** » 24 Dec 2009, 05:34

One guy was Navy hydraulics, the other was AF hydraulics. I think they want people that have turned wrenches on military planes before, but nothing real specific.

aitke12 · by **aitke12** » 24 Dec 2009, 20:33

i have 9 yrs in F-16 Weapons/Avionics, you think they would pick me up?

cutlassracer · by **cutlassracer** » 25 Dec 2009, 01:09

Considering that Pred's are just big flying computers that carry hellefire's, Id say pretty good. Good luck.

sgeary · by **sgeary** » 26 Dec 2009, 21:46

Who going to apply for Battlespace??

sweetpete · by **sweetpete** » 27 Dec 2009, 21:13

I am considering applying for them, I already live in Nevada up in Reno.

sgeary · by **sgeary** » 28 Dec 2009, 10:29

They are hiring look on there web site Battlespace Flight Services under Carrers

justinfluegel · by **justinfluegel** » 01 Jan 2010, 12:26

Other companies to look into are Boeing, ISR, Insitu. Don't forget the many other platforms out there for UAV's. Hunter, Raven, FireScout, KillerBee, Hummingbird, and ScanEagle just to name a few.

alamoblock60 · by **alamoblock60** » 27 Jan 2010, 07:01

UAVs aren't a bad gig, I started on MQ-9s in Nov 08 with General Atomics. As an avionics tech I work on and maintain both MQ-9 aircraft and the associated ground control station, you have to know about computers for sure! Currently GA is looking for people in California and Nevada and a few other places, you can search on the web site; www.ga-asi.com, look under careers. Another company that openly looks for folks is BattleSpace Flight services, http://www.battlespacefs.com/. An finally, GA subcontracts some positions thru URS Corp, they can be found at https://www.urs.apply2jobs.com/index.cfm

Good luck

gonzilla · by **gonzilla** » 15 Feb 2010, 23:58

If you can walk and chew gum while holding a wrench and have worked on or near a military aircraft that required a Secret clearance in recent past (the last 10 years) you have a pretty good chance at getting hired by BattleSpace. Go ahead and send them an app...

gonzilla · by **gonzilla** » 16 Feb 2010, 00:00

aitke12 wrote:i have 9 yrs in F-16 Weapons/Avionics, you think they would pick me up?

Only if you can lift 50 pounds and know how a cannon plug operates.