Drone Major Limited is a specialist engineering company focused on the design, integration, and delivery of unmanned and autonomous vehicle solutions, with particular strength in aerial drone platforms and supporting technologies. We operate across commercial, industrial, research, and government sectors, delivering technically robust systems that combine airframes, sensors, communications, software, and control systems into reliable operational capabilities. As a technically driven organisation, we support projects from concept design and prototyping through to manufacturing, integration, testing, and operational deployment. Safety, regulatory compliance, and engineering professionalism underpin everything we deliver.

Drone Major Limited is seeking an experienced and highly competent Drone Pilot / UAS Flight Operations Specialist to deliver flight testing, validation, trials, and operational demonstrations of our unmanned aerial systems.

This role is critical in ensuring that all Drone Major Limited aerial platforms are tested safely, rigorously, and in accordance with regulatory and internal quality standards. The successful candidate will operate both prototype and production systems, contribute to system development and refinement, design and deliver robust testing programs and support customer demonstrations and acceptance activities.

The position requires a strong understanding of UK aviation regulations, operational safety frameworks, and structured test methodologies. The role combines hands-on piloting with structured reporting, safety management, and engineering collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

1. Flight Testing & Trials

  ● Conduct structured flight testing of prototype and production drone systems.

  ● Execute pre-planned test profiles to validate:

     o Airworthiness and performance

     o Autonomy and control systems

     o Payload integration

     o Communications and telemetry reliability

  ● Support developmental trials and rapid iteration programmes.

  ● Conduct environmental, endurance, and reliability trials where required.

  ● Assist in preparing systems for formal customer acceptance tests.

2. Safety & Compliance

  ● Operate in accordance with UK CAA regulations and any applicable SORA/operational authorisations.

  ● Conduct risk assessments and complete pre-flight safety documentation.

  ● Carry out personal flight safety briefings before test activities and oversee those of other pilots.

  ● Maintain flight logs, maintenance logs, and incident reporting records.

  ● Contribute to the organisation’s Safety Management System (SMS).

  ● Contribute to the completion, scrutiny and submission of SORA and associated documents.

3. Engineering Support

  ● Work closely with engineering teams during:

     o System integration

     o Fault diagnosis and troubleshooting

     o Firmware and software updates

  ● Provide structured flight data and performance feedback to design teams.

  ● Assist in refining test procedures and acceptance criteria.

  ● Maintain clear and accurate flight and technical logs and support access to engineers for assessment of data.

4. Documentation & Reporting

  ● Design and deliver test programs.

  ● Prepare structured flight reports and test evidence documentation.

  ● Ensure traceability of test data in line with internal quality procedures.

  ● Contribute to technical documentation and user manuals where required.

5. Demonstrations & Customer Engagement

  ● Support live demonstrations for clients and stakeholders.

  ● Participate in trials with government, defence, or industrial partners.

  ● Represent Drone Major professionally during field engagements.

Essential Qualifications & Licences

  ● Valid UK CAA A2 CofC (minimum).

  ● GVC (General Visual Line of Sight Certificate).

  ● Experience operating under an Operational Authorisation.

  ● Valid Remote Pilot ID and operator registration (as required).

  ● Full UK driving licence.

  ● Eligible to obtain UK security clearance (if required).

Essential Experience

  ● Demonstrable professional experience operating multi-rotor systems.

  ● Experience conducting structured flight tests rather than purely commercial photography operations.

  ● Familiarity with:

     o Autopilot systems (e.g., PX4, Ardupilot or equivalent)

     o Telemetry systems and ground control software

     o Failsafe and redundancy testing

  ● Experience operating in controlled test environments or complex operational airspace.

  ● Proven understanding of aviation risk management principles.

  ● Experience contributing to airworthiness documentation and SORA/operational authorisations.

  ● Valid flight currency - minimum 2 hours of flight time within the past 3 months - with proven history.

Desirable Experience

  ● Demonstrable professional experience operating fixed-wing UAV systems.

  ● Experience supporting defence, government, or industrial UAV projects.

  ● BVLOS operations experience (where authorised).

  ● Experience with:

     o ISR payloads

     o Thermal imaging systems

     o LiDAR or advanced sensors

  ● Understanding of autonomous navigation and AI-assisted flight systems.

  ● Experience with the "DroneDesk" platform

  ● Experience of incident reporting

Knowledge of Standards &  Best Practice. The successful candidate should demonstrate familiarity with relevant standards and frameworks, including:

  ● UK CAA regulatory framework for unmanned aircraft.

  ● Safety Management Systems (SMS) principles.

  ● ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems).

  ● ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety).

  ● ISO 21384-3 (UAV Operations).

  ● Awareness of ISO 27001 (Information Security) where data handling is involved.

  ● Structured verification and validation practices used in aerospace or high- reliability engineering.

Key Skills &  Attributes

  ● Strong situational awareness and disciplined flight conduct.

  ● Analytical approach to testing and problem-solving.

  ● Clear and professional communication skills.

  ● Ability to operate calmly under pressure.

  ● Strong documentation and record-keeping discipline.

  ● High personal integrity and commitment to safety.

  ● Willingness to travel to test and trial sites as required.

Why Join Drone Major Limited?

  ● Opportunity to work on advanced unmanned and autonomous systems.

  ● Involvement in prototype development through to production and deployment.

  ● Exposure to defence, industrial, and research programmes.

  ● Collaborative environment with engineering and manufacturing specialists.

  ● A culture that values professionalism, safety, and technical excellence.

This role is suited to an experienced and safety-conscious drone pilot who wishes to move beyond routine commercial flying and play a central role in the structured testing and development of advanced unmanned aerial systems.