Synthetic Task Environments (STEs) can allow for low-cost and efficient ways to conduct research and provide training compared to live training. However, university researchers, particularly graduate students, often lack resources to develop STEs for research and educational purposes. The accessibility of commercially-available software, like game development engines, allows for the rapid development of STEs. These software platforms allow for the creation of complex environments with limited development expertise. This paper will discuss a collaborative effort between Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) and the Air Force Research Lab’s Gaming Research Integration for Learning Laboratory (GRILL) to develop a small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) STE for a search task.  The development utilized Unreal Engine to develop the STE in less than nine weeks. The STE consisted of grassland environment, a sUAS with a full interface to complete a sUAS led search and rescue mission. The FIT graduate student led the upfront analysis for the STE, including sUAS operational issues, task analyses utilizing Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), and requirements for the STE.  The graduate student then spent a five-week period over the summer co-located with the GRILL and led a team of high school student interns, with daily mentorship from a GRILL software engineer, in development of the STE. This period allowed for rapid buildout of a sUAS environment with the following attributes: (a) high cognitive fidelity with respect to a UAS search task, (b) flexible interfaces for researchers to alter STE parameters, (c) integrated research tools such as questionnaires, (d) fully customizable mission characteristics, and (e) tailored output files for streamlined data analyses. The result was a sUAS STE that allowed for tailored research efforts at FIT and proof of concept technology for the GRILL. This presentation will describe the collaborative process, methods, and recommendations for other entities pursuing collaborative development efforts.