Chief Pilot

Chief Pilot London

We seek to move the world forward through innovative thinking.
Woolpert is an award winning global leader in architecture engineering and geospatial services. We blend design excellence with cutting edge technology to deliver exceptional client value and as a certified Great Place to Work we embrace progress and innovation to create limitless opportunities for career growth.

As part of Woolpert Murphy Geospatial A Woolpert Company contributes deep geospatial expertise across Europe supporting complex infrastructure property manufacturing utilities and natural environment projects through worldclass data capture verification and governance.

Position Overview

Murphy Geospatial A Woolpert Company is seeking an experienced Chief Pilot to provide operational leadership and technical assurance for our UAS flight operations across the UK. This is a key aviation safety role responsible for ensuring that all flights are plannedauthorisedand conducted safely legally andin accordance with Woolperts Operations Manual and CAA permissions. You willmaintainpilot standards overseeaircraftairworthinessand support the safe delivery of high-quality survey projects frominitialplanning through to flight completion.

What You Will Do

Flight Operations & Regulatory Compliance

• Act as thelegal Accountable Manager ensuring compliance with UK CAA regulations the company Operations Manual and all applicable permissions and exemptions.

• Review and approve flight plans operating sites airspace requirements riskassessmentsand emergency procedures before deployment.

• Maintain the Operations Manual and support applications variations and renewals for Operational AuthorisationsSORAand other regulatory approvals.

Operational Planning & Execution

• Provide technical direction to remote pilots and project teams during mission planning and flight operations.

• Confirm that proposedaircraft sensorspilotsand operating methods are suitable for each task and operating environment.

Safety Airworthiness & Standards

• Promote a strong aviation safety culture and ensure that incidents occurrences and near misses are reportedinvestigatedand communicated appropriately.

• Maintain oversight ofaircraftregistration maintenance firmware defectsserviceabilityand flight records to ensure fleet airworthiness.

• Monitor changes to UAS legislation CAAguidanceand industry good practice updating operational procedures where required.

Pilot Competence & Training

• Assessauthoriseand periodically review remote pilot competencecurrencyand operating limitations.

• Maintain pilot training qualification and flight-time records and coordinate recurrent training and competency checks.

• Provide coaching and technical guidance to remote pilots sharing lessons learned and standardising safe operating practice.

• Ensure pilots receive appropriate projectsiteand equipment briefings before undertaking flight operations.

Technical & Project Support

• Advise project teams and clients on flight feasibility operating constraints permissions platformselectionand safemethodology.

• Support tender and project planning activities withaccurateoperational assumptions riskcontrolsand programme requirements.

• Liaise with clients landowners air traffic servicesairportsand other stakeholders whererequiredto enable safe flight operations.

Continuous Improvement

• Evaluate newaircraft sensors andoperatingtechniques ensuring that changes are risk assessedtestedand incorporated into controlled procedures before operational use.

• Review operational performance audit findings and lessons learned to improve safetyconsistencyand efficiency across UAS operations.

What You Will Bring

• Relevant qualification or substantial professional experience in UAS aviation geospatial surveying or a related discipline.

• Minimumthreeyears commercial UAS experience including significant recent operational flying experience.

• Current CAA GVC/RPC-01and evidence of recent relevant UAS flying hours.

• Detailed knowledge of UK UAS regulation CAA guidance Operational Authorisations operational riskassessmentand Operations Manual requirements.

• Proven experience planningauthorisingand supervising complex commercial UAS operations including client and stakeholder engagement.

• Strong knowledge of UAS platforms sensors command-and-control systems flight-planningsoftwareand operational limitations.

• Demonstrable experiencemaintainingpilot competencyaircraftairworthinessand operational records.

• Experienceoperatingin complex or safety-critical environments including National Highways and Network Rail (desirable).

• Full clean UK manual driving licence.

• Willingness to travel to project sites.

• Right to work in the UK.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.

• Membership ofan appropriate professionalor aviation institution (desirable).

Key Attributes

• Safety-leddisciplinedand confident in stopping or restricting operations where standards are not met.

• Passionate about the UAS and geospatial industries.

• Self-motivated technically credible and committed to continuous improvement.

• Strong planningrecord-keeping and…