Unmanned Aircrew Systems; UAS Chief Pilot

UAS Chief Pilot

Bournemouth or Teesside, UK | Frequent UK & International Travel
£80,000+ DOE + Executive Benefits Package
Permanent

A unique opportunity has arisen for an experienced UAS aviation leader to join a rapidly expanding defence aviation organisation delivering advanced operational training and capability support services to military customers across the UK and allied nations.

This appointment represents considerably more than a traditional Chief Pilot position. The successful candidate will assume operational leadership of an evolving Uncrewed Air Systems function and play a key role in shaping the organisation’s long-term UAS strategy, capability development and regulatory framework.

With significant investment being made into next-generation UAS capability, this role offers a genuine pathway towards future senior leadership positions, including Head of UAS Operations and Vice President level responsibilities as the capability continues to mature and expand.

The successful individual will be responsible for establishing the operational, regulatory and safety architecture necessary to support the deployment of sophisticated UAS platforms in support of defence training and operational support missions.

This is a rare opportunity for an experienced military or commercial BVLOS operator to move into a role where they will directly influence capability development, organisational growth and the future direction of UAS operations.

The organisation is undertaking a significant expansion of its uncrewed aviation capability and is seeking a recognised Subject Matter Expert to lead the transition from developmental and trial activity into scalable, operationally assured service delivery.

Operating at the intersection of defence aviation, military training and advanced uncrewed technology, the UAS Chief Pilot will hold responsibility for the development and governance of all flight operations activities whilst acting as the principal authority on UAS operational employment.

The role requires an individual capable of operating comfortably across strategic, regulatory and operational domains, engaging with military stakeholders, aviation regulators, senior leadership teams and industry partners.

You will be expected to build, lead and develop a highly capable team of UAS operators whilst creating the operational standards, procedures and governance frameworks necessary to support complex BVLOS operations in increasingly demanding airspace environments.

• Act as the senior operational authority for all UAS flight activities.
• Maintain operational oversight of all BVLOS and VLOS operations conducted under organisational approvals and authorisations.
• Establish and maintain the flight operations framework supporting safe, compliant and effective mission execution.
• Ensure operational standardisation across all deployed UAS platforms and operational locations.
• Develop long-term operational strategies supporting capability growth and future service expansion.
• Lead mission assurance activities and operational readiness reviews.

• Serve as the primary operational interface with the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
• Lead regulatory engagement activities relating to:
  • Operational Authorisations
  • Specific Category Operations
  • BVLOS approvals
  • Airspace access applications
  • Safety Case submissions
  • Future operational expansion programmes
• Maintain awareness of evolving UK and international UAS regulatory frameworks.
• Drive compliance with CAP publications, UK UAS regulations and emerging BVLOS operational requirements.
• Support the development of future operational concepts aligned to anticipated regulatory developments.

• Work in partnership with the Aviation Safety Manager to ensure effective implementation and continuous improvement of the Safety Management System.
• Lead operational risk management activities across all UAS programmes.
• Oversee occurrence reporting, investigations and corrective action implementation.
• Ensure hazards associated…