Flight Test Operator

Anduril Anduril · Defense · Wales, United Kingdom · Maritime & Maneuver Dominance : Maneuver Dominance Engineering : Field Test Engineering

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company developing advanced autonomous systems. This role is for a Flight Test Operator responsible for planning, executing, and certifying Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS) missions, with a focus on BVLOS operations and regulatory compliance within the UK CAA Specific Category. The role requires strong piloting skills, technical understanding of UAS platforms and flight controllers, and meticulous documentation.

What you'd actually do

  1. Plan, prepare, and execute UAS missions, including those within challenging VLOS and BVLOS scenarios, ensuring full compliance with mission objectives and regulatory requirements.
  2. Act as Safety Pilot, conducting manual flight operations with fixed wing and FW VTOL UAS in challenging and complex multi-UAS operations.
  3. Conduct pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight checks and diagnostics on UAS platforms and associated ground control systems.
  4. Operate and troubleshoot various UAS systems, demonstrating advanced proficiency with Pixhawk and Cube Orange Flight Controllers, including configuration, firmware and parameter management, and mission planning using relevant ground control station software.
  5. Develop and implement mission-specific risk assessments, meticulously applying Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) principles to ensure the safe and compliant execution of operations within the UK CAA Specific Category.

Skills

Required

  • UK CAA General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC)
  • Significant experience of manual UAS or RC aircraft operations on FW and FW VTOL airframes
  • Demonstrable and significant experience in planning and executing UAS operations within the UK CAA Specific Category
  • Proven practical experience in BVLOS operations, including relevant approvals or experience within an organisation holding BVLOS permissions
  • Thorough understanding and practical application of UK CAA Specific Category operations, including the development of Operational Safety Cases and the process for obtaining operational authorisations
  • Expert-level technical proficiency with Pixhawk and Cube Orange Flight Controllers, including hands-on experience in their integration, setup, configuration, advanced troubleshooting, and operation
  • An understanding of aviation paperwork and a meticulous approach to documentation and record-keeping
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to make critical decisions under pressure
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, capable of working effectively within multidisciplinary teams
  • Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends, and travel extensively to support field operations (potentially 25-50% of the time)
  • Valid driver's license
  • Ability to obtain a UK Security Check (SC) clearance or higher

Nice to have

  • Understanding and practical experience of UK MAA UAS operations including S1 or S2 category
  • Comprehensive knowledge and practical experience in applying MAA Risk Assessment principles to define and mitigate risks for complex UAS missions
  • UK MAA Evaluator Aircrew or other trials qualification
  • Thorough understanding of military test processes and authorisations
  • Experience with Fixed Wing VTOL UAS Operations and with multiple-air vehicle operations
  • 5 years’ experience as Manual Safety Pilot for FW/MR UAS

What the JD emphasized

  • UK CAA Authorised UAS Pilot
  • UK CAA General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC)
  • UK CAA Specific Category
  • BVLOS operations
  • Pixhawk and Cube Orange Flight Controllers