GrahamAir – UAV/RPAS Senior Flight Operations Manager

** Exciting new Flight Operations Manager position with an international aerospace heavyweight, based in UK with deployment opportunities. **

** For this role you must be a UK citizen or be a permanent resident **

Reporting to the Head of Operations, the Flight Operations Manager will lead all Flight Ops and Flight Test activities in this busy and exciting aerospace project.

Responsibilities

This Flight Test Operations role is extremely broad in scope, and is the primary manager for delivering the following responsibilities:

·      Responsible for the training and employment of deployed UAS Pilot/Crew as reportable to the CEO.

·      Responsible for the use of appropriate corporate functional governance for Flight Tests.

·      Responsible for the evaluation of onsite Pilot/Mission Crew training standards, including crew readiness, competency and training.

·      Responsible for flight test operations, both during trials and for customers, including demonstrations.

·      Delivery of Flight Operations regulations in accordance with local and international regulations.

·      Act as Chief Pilot and GCS Commander.

The candidate must also have expert knowledge of rules in UK, US and other customer base countries, for both general flight and test operations, in addition to specific UAS issues and regulation.

Flight Test Operations

Key responsibilities:

·      Direct the identification of Flight Ops Mission Aircrew team requirements.

·      Act as Line Manager for all deployed Mission Aircrew, specifically managing crew rest and recovery during ongoing flight trials.

·      Define and manage the review of weather criteria for flights.

·      Support identification, agreement, and development of regulatory approvals of flight trials.

Business Management and Site Leadership

Key responsibilities:

·      Act as Deputy to the Program Deployment Manager.

·      Manage monthly Operations information requirements by ensuring the delivery of timely and accurate data that supports any local and external review cycles.

·      To lead effective communications across business functions on Flight Operations matters.

Qualifications

Essential:

·      Proven experience in leading and managing teams while undertaking complex tasks in challenging environments, with significant experience working with civil, military, or range approval authorities

·      Proven experience with Aviation Rules and Regulations, including international large UAS regulations.

·      Minimum five years Flight Operations experience in a test/demo environment with large UAS, Military aircraft or similar.

·      Minimum five years Flight Test Engineering experience with large UAS, Military aircraft or similar.

·      Private Pilot’s Licence or better, with Multi-Engine, Instrument Rating and greater than 750 flying hours.

·      Large UAS Remote Pilot licence/experience with greater than 500 Remote Pilot flying hours.

·      Civilian US and/or UK UAS Licence and/or previous experience.

·      Experience leading provision and delivery of on-site UAS Mission Crew/Pilot training and certification.

·      Advanced understanding of flight planning, meteorology, system preparation and airspace management and the technical, operational and environmental factors affecting High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAS.

·      Experience in leading the creation of test plans, test procedures and reports.

·      Able to present findings at business and technical reviews internally or with customers.

Desirable:

·      Commercial Pilot certification or equivalent.

·      Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Electronics, or other practical discipline.

·      Experience in uniformed service, or experience working with defence.

·      Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly even under high-pressure situations.

·      Demonstrated ability to make, and implement, complex risk-based decisions under pressure.

·      Excellent analytical, interpersonal, verbal and communications skills, and an ability to work with stakeholders at all levels, both military and civilian.

·      Careful and organized approach to tasks, with evidence of taking ownership of problems/high-level requirements.

·      Ability to interface with people at different levels and skills within a global organization, as well as subcontractors and customers.

Apply here