Pendleton UAS Range (PUR) and engineering firm Sigma Design have expanded their long-standing partnership to enhance on-site engineering services and talent solutions for unmanned systems testing and development. In addition to continuing operation of PUR’s on-site machine shop, capable of fabricating everything from one-off components to full production runs, Sigma Design also offers turnkey staffing services for PUR customers. This includes contract-to-hire placements, direct placement recruiting, and on-site engineering support across mechanical, electrical, software, and aerospace engineering roles.

The partnership prioritizes hiring from the Pacific Northwest’s local talent pool to strengthen regional workforce development, while also leveraging Sigma Design’s national recruitment network to fill specialized roles as needed.

Key Benefits

- Immediate access to a pipeline of skilled, specialized workforce through Sigma Design’s staffing services.

- Ability to augment teams for flight test and development programs, enabling companies to move from concept to flight faster and more effectively.

- Access to vetted professionals with deep industry experience, ensuring that every placement brings credible, hands-on experience.

- A commitment to hiring local first supports regional economic growth while ensuring broader national reach when required.

Sigma Design’s integration into the Range has proven invaluable since the partnership began in 2022. The company established the machine shop at Pendleton UAS Range Headquarters, giving users a one-stop shop for both flight testing and rapid prototyping. Customers have directly benefited from on-site fabrication and engineering services, improving efficiency and reducing downtime during high-tempo test campaigns.

Building on that success, the expansion into staffing makes PUR one of the only UAS ranges in the country where companies can access FAA-approved airspace, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and on-demand engineering support all in one location. It further reinforces PUR’s commitment to being the most turnkey and business-friendly UAS range in the U.S.

“Our role at the Pendleton UAS Range has always been about more than operating the machine shop,” said Jennie Bullard, Account Manager at Sigma Design. “By continuing our support with both on-site engineering and staffing services, we’re helping companies remove one of the biggest barriers to flight testing—finding the right people. Formalizing this offering makes that support more visible and more accessible, so teams can arrive with an idea and leave with a flying system, backed by skilled engineers and technicians who understand the pace and complexity of UAS development.”

This service offering complements the Pendleton UAS Range’s extensive infrastructure and experienced support team. The Range spans 14,000 square miles of FAA-approved airspace up to 15,000 ft. MSL, with purpose-built assets including 16 UAS test pads with utilities, on-site hangars, mobile command centers, a UAS-friendly control tower, and a 160-acre industrial park.

With Sigma Design continuing to operate the machine shop and now delivering engineering talent, companies can launch and scale unmanned systems projects with greater speed, affordability, and confidence—whether they’re fabricating prototypes or assembling full test teams.

“Workforce is often the critical piece in fast-paced UAS development, and this partnership fills that gap in a truly turnkey way,” said Jesse Steele, Range Manager at Pendleton UAS Range. “Pendleton’s success has always been about helping customers move faster. With Sigma Design’s support, a team that might have taken months to assemble can now be ready in days. We're especially proud that this solution strengthens our local workforce while still offering a national reach for specialized talent. It’s a win-win that makes testing at DRONETOWN, USA, even more seamless.”