UAV Pilot

James Douglas Middle East; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Our client, an international consulting firm within a global mining group, seeks an experienced UAV Pilot in Abu Dhabi to operate heavy hybrid unmanned helicopter and light multirotor survey platforms during mineral exploration campaigns.

You will lead flight operations, ensure safety, coordinate with GCS/payload teams, and adapt to remote field conditions while delivering data-ready flight logs.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of UAV, aviation or unmanned aircraft operational experience preferred.
• Experience as UAV pilot, pilot-in-command, mission commander, instructor, test pilot or field chief is preferred.
• Experience with heavy UAVs, unmanned helicopters, hybrid UAVs, BVLOS, controlled-airspace or long-endurance operations is strongly preferred.
• Strong manual-control ability, emergency response judgement and disciplined use of procedures.
• Ability to work with GCS operators, payload operators, technicians and client/site representatives in remote field conditions.
• Relevant UAV pilot certificates, aviation training or military/industrial UAS experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Operate UAVs during takeoff, hover, waypoint flight, survey-line execution, return, landing and recovery.
• Act as mission commander or pilot-in-command when assigned, with clear authority during active flight operations.
• Work with the GCS Operator to review mission plans, aircraft limits, flight profile, terrain, weather, communication links and contingency actions.
• Maintain stable flight profiles suitable for magnetic, radiometric, gravimetric, LiDAR, hyperspectral and other survey payloads.
• Respond to abnormal situations such as lost link, power issues, navigation errors, payload alarms, weather changes or aircraft performance concerns.
• Complete flight logs, post-flight notes, defect reports and handover comments for the operations team.
• Support platform testing, training, demonstrations and operational improvement

Skills

UAV operation

Flight planning

Emergency response

Team coordination

Education

UAV pilot certificate

Aviation training

Tools

GCS Operator

Payload integration

Job description

Our client is an international consulting firm, subsidiary to a global mining company. They are seeking a UAV Pilot, responsible for safe and precise operation of the company’s UAV survey platforms during mineral exploration campaigns. The role covers both heavy hybrid unmanned helicopter and light hybrid multirotor operations carrying geophysical and remote-sensing payloads.

The role requires strong mission discipline, manual and automatic flight capability, emergency handling and the ability to work as part of a multi-person survey crew.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate UAVs during takeoff, hover, waypoint flight, survey-line execution, return, landing and recovery.
• Act as mission commander or pilot-in-command when assigned, with clear authority during active flight operations.
• Work with the GCS Operator to review mission plans, aircraft limits, flight profile, terrain, weather, communication links and contingency actions.
• Maintain stable flight profiles suitable for magnetic, radiometric, gravimetric, LiDAR, hyperspectral and other survey payloads.
• Respond to abnormal situations such as lost link, power issues, navigation errors, payload alarms, weather changes or aircraft performance concerns.
• Complete flight logs, post-flight notes, defect reports and handover comments for the operations team.
• Support platform testing, training, demonstrations and operational improvement

Key Qualifications

• 5+ years of UAV, aviation or unmanned aircraft operational experience preferred.
• Experience as UAV pilot, pilot-in-command, mission commander, instructor, test pilot or field chief is preferred.
• Experience with heavy UAVs, unmanned helicopters, hybrid UAVs, BVLOS, controlled-airspace or long-endurance operations is strongly preferred.
• Strong manual-control ability, emergency response judgement and disciplined use of procedures.
• Ability to work with GCS operators, payload operators, technicians and client/site representatives in remote field conditions.
• Relevant UAV pilot certificates, aviation training or military/industrial UAS experience is preferred.

Travel / Work Model

• Frequent field travel for testing, training, mobilization and survey execution.
• Flexible field schedule during active campaigns and aircraft trials