Field Drone Pilot

DroneShield; Sydney; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

DroneShield is seeking an experienced Field Drone Pilot to support engineering, testing, and live customer demonstrations from our Sydney headquarters. You will operate a wide range of drones for data capture, system testing and real-world demonstrations, with regular travel across NSW.

This role requires a current RePL, hands-on experience with drone hardware, strong troubleshooting under field conditions, and the ability to manage multiple tasks.

Qualifications

• Current RePL required.
• Experience in dynamic, fast-paced outdoor environments.
• Hands-on experience with electronics and mechanical systems.
• Strong troubleshooting skills under field conditions.
• Willingness to learn evolving technologies.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks and projects.
• High personal accountability and adaptability.
• Familiarity with drone hardware systems, telemetry and RF.
• Availability to deploy in field up to 5 days/week, Sydney CBD on-site.

Responsibilities

• Plan, conduct, and support RPA flight operations with CASA and ReOC compliance.
• Travel across NSW to support field testing, product evaluations, and demonstrations.
• Learn to fly, configure, and troubleshoot a wide range of drone platforms (250 g to 50+ kg).
• Configure and manage video, telemetry, and RF transmission systems.
• Pack, transport, deploy, and recover drones and field equipment.
• Work with engineering and technical teams to meet complex flight requirements.
• Engage with customers and partners professionally.
• Maintain clean, organized, mission-ready aircraft, equipment and workspace.
• Develop and follow processes, checklists, and protocols.
• Take ownership and resolve technical and operational challenges.

Skills

RePL

Field operations

Troubleshooting

Multi-tasking

Stakeholder communication

Drone hardware

Education

Engineering or technical discipline

Tools

Betaflight

INAV

ArduPilot

Linux (command line)

Job description

Work with cutting-edge AI technology that helps make the world a safer and more secure place. DroneShield (ASX:DRO) develops market-leading counter-drone solutions used by military organisations, government agencies, airports, critical infrastructure operators, and law enforcement operating in some of the most challenging and high-stakes environments in the world. Employees work at the forefront of innovation, solving complex technical problems and delivering mission-critical capabilities where performance, reliability, and speed matter.

As an ASX200-listed company and the world’s only publicly listed pure-play counter-drone business, DroneShield is experiencing rapid growth. Revenue increased from A$57 million in 2024 to more than A$217 million in 2025, supported by record profitability, a global sales pipeline exceeding A$2.5 billion, and annual R&D investment of over A$50 million.

Since 2017, DroneShield has grown from 11 employees to more than 550 globally, with operations across Australia, the United States, Europe, and the Middle East, supporting customers in over 70 countries.

The role is based at DroneShield’s Sydney headquarters, which houses corporate, commercial, engineering, and operational teams supporting the company’s global growth and customer base.

About The Role

DroneShield (ASX:DRO) is seeking an experienced and highly capable Field Drone Pilot to support our engineering, testing, and demonstration activities. You will operate a wide variety of commercial, enterprise, defence, and custom-built drones in real-world conditions to support data capture, system testing and evaluation, and live customer demonstrations.

This Sydney-based position reports to the Drone Operations Manager and will involve regular travel across NSW to our test sites.

Responsibilities, Duties And Expectations

• Plan, conduct, and support RPA flight operations to a high standard of safety, compliance, and efficiency in accordance with CASA regulations, and ReOC requirements.
• Travel regularly (over 80%) across NSW to support field testing, product evaluations, and demonstrations, including regular multi-day deployments.
• Learn to fly, configure, and troubleshoot a very large number of drone platforms covering defence, enterprise, commercial, and custom RPA and a broad range of RPA types, including multirotor, helicopter, aeroplane, and VTOL platforms (250 g to 50+ kg).
• Configure and manage diverse video, telemetry, and RF transmission systems.
• Pack, transport, deploy, and recover drones, emitters, and supporting field equipment.
• Work closely with engineering and technical teams to deliver complex flight requirements.
• Engage professionally with internal and external stakeholders, including customers and partners.
• Maintain clean, organised, and mission-ready aircraft, equipment, vehicles, and workspaces.
• Develop, follow, and continuously improve processes, checklists, and protocols.
• Take ownership of responsibilities and proactively resolve technical and operational challenges.
• Undertake additional training and certifications as required to support evolving business needs.
• Contribute as a motivated member of a high-performing team critical to the output of the company.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills

• Current RePL (Remote Pilot Licence).
• Experience working in dynamic, fast paced outdoor environments.
• Hands-on experience with electronic and mechanical systems.
• Strong technical troubleshooting skills under field conditions.
• Willingness to learn constantly evolving new technologies.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks and projects.
• High personal accountability, strong work ethic, and adaptability.
• Familiarity with drone hardware systems, telemetry, and radio communication equipment.
• Availability to deploy into the field up to 5-days per week, both daily operations and multi-day deployments, and work onsite in Sydney CBD as required.

Desirable

• RPA Aeroplane, RPA Powered-lift, RPA Single-rotor Helicopter, BVLOS OCTA/IREX endorsements.
• Demonstrated experience in operating drones in complex environments (e.g. restricted airspace, controlled aerodromes, EVLOS, BVLOS).
• Experience building, maintaining, and repairing FPV and model aircraft (fixed-wing, multirotor, helicopter, glider).
• Strong working knowledge of flight control software and configurators (e.g. Betaflight, INAV, and ArduPilot).
• Experience in drone racing, system tuning, and competitive configurations.
• Proficiency with hobby radios, video, and telemetry systems.
• Education in engineering or a technical discipline (or equivalent practical experience).
• Experience supporting live product demonstrations.
• AROC (Aeronautical Radio Operator Certificate).
• Comfortable working in Linux environments, including command line tools, system monitoring, and networking.

Note for recruitment agencies: We do not accept unsolicited candidates from external recruiters unless specifically instructed.

Data Privacy

DroneShield Group Pty Ltd collects and processes personal information for recruitment and hiring purposes. Where applicable, personal information is processed on the basis of DroneShield’s legitimate interests in assessing and selecting candidates for employment. For further information regarding how we collect, use, disclose, store and retain personal information, including your privacy rights, please refer to our Privacy Policy: https://www.droneshield.com/privacy-policy

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