Flight Operations Manager

SYOS Aerospace; Fareham; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SYOS Aerospace in the United Kingdom is seeking a Flight Operations Manager to own and deliver UAS flight operations, including flight trials and demonstrations, while coordinating with regulators, customers and industry partners to ensure safety and compliance.

You will lead pilots and multidisciplinary teams, develop flight plans, monitor performance and drive improvements in operational efficiency and safety within a fast-moving environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in aviation, engineering or related discipline.
• Significant experience in flight operations management, ideally in military, defence or UAS environments.
• Strong knowledge of aviation regulations and safety standards.
• Experience with UK CAA requirements and/or MAA regulations.
• Proven ability to lead pilots, operators and multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent planning, organisational and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, coordination and execution of UAS flight trials and demonstrations for defence and civil customers.
• Work closely with engineering teams to align trials with technical and customer requirements.
• Coordinate with military personnel, government organisations, customers and industry partners for demonstrations and exercises.
• Coordinate SYOS participation in joint exercises and activities with international customers.
• Lead pilots, operators, flight-test support teams and other personnel to ensure safe and successful mission execution.
• Develop and manage flight plans, schedules and operational activities.
• Coordinate resources across engineering, operations and supporting teams to ensure smooth delivery.
• Lead and support the development of SYOS pilots and operators to achieve strong operational outcomes.
• Ensure all flight activities are conducted safely and in accordance with applicable regulations and company procedures.
• Monitor operational KPIs and identify opportunities to improve safety, efficiency and delivery.
• Develop and implement improvements to flight operations, processes and procedures.
• Optimise operational resources while maintaining high standards of safety and compliance.
• Work closely with the Trials & Certification Engineer to prepare UK CAA and MAA applications and approvals.
• Take ownership of the operational and Safety Management System components of the relevant regulatory approvals.
• Act as a key point of contact with regulators for new and ongoing operational approvals.
• Ensure flight operations remain compliant as systems and environments evolve.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Planning & scheduling

Stakeholder management

Operational risk management

Team coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aviation or engineering

Job description

Build What Matters

At SYOS, we’re building the next generation of autonomous vehicles across air, land and sea. We combine advanced engineering, intelligent autonomy and innovative design to develop uncrewed systems that operate in some of the world’s most challenging environments. Our technology is designed to extend human capability, protect people and deliver real operational advantage.

We’re looking for a Flight Operations Manager to join our growing UK team and take ownership of our UAS flight operations. This is a hands‑on leadership role, responsible for planning and delivering flight trials, demonstrations and operational activities. If you’re an experienced aviation professional who thrives in a fast‑moving environment, enjoys leading people and takes ownership from planning through to execution, we’d like to hear from you.

About The Role

As Flight Operations Manager, you will oversee the safe, compliant and effective delivery of SYOS flight operations. You’ll work closely with engineering, trials, certification and programme teams to plan and execute flight trials and demonstrations, while coordinating with customers, regulators, military personnel and industry partners. You’ll also take ownership of key operational and regulatory activities, including our UK regulatory approvals and operational safety management systems.

Key Responsibilities

Flight Trials & Demonstrations

• Lead the planning, coordination and execution of UAS flight trials and demonstrations for defence and civil customers.
• Work closely with engineering teams to ensure trials are aligned with technical and customer requirements.
• Coordinate with military personnel, government organisations, customers and industry partners for demonstrations and exercises.
• Coordinate SYOS participation in joint exercises and activities with international customers.
• Lead pilots, operators, flight‑test support teams and other personnel to ensure safe and successful mission execution.

Flight Planning & Operations

• Develop and manage effective flight plans, schedules and operational activities.
• Coordinate resources across engineering, operations and supporting teams to ensure smooth delivery.
• Lead and support the development of SYOS pilots and operators to achieve strong operational outcomes.
• Ensure all flight activities are conducted safely and in accordance with applicable regulations and company procedures.

Operational Performance

• Monitor operational KPIs and identify opportunities to improve safety, efficiency and delivery.
• Develop and implement improvements to flight operations, processes and procedures.
• Optimise operational resources while maintaining high standards of safety and compliance.

Regulatory & Certification

• Work closely with the Trials & Certification Engineer to prepare and submit UK CAA and MAA applications and approvals.
• Take ownership of the operational and Safety Management System components of the relevant regulatory approvals.
• Act as a key point of contact with regulators for new and ongoing operational approvals.
• Ensure flight operations remain compliant as our systems, capabilities and operating environments evolve.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience in aviation, engineering or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in flight operations management, ideally within military aviation, defence or UAS environments.
• Strong understanding of aviation regulations, safety standards and operational risk management.
• Experience working with UK CAA requirements and/or MAA regulations.
• Proven ability to lead pilots, operators and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong planning, organisational and decision‑making skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management abilities.
• A practical, solutions‑focused approach with strong attention to safety and detail.
• A serious get‑up‑and‑go attitude.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Eligible to live and work in the UK and able to obtain UK Security Clearance.

Nice to Have

• Experience operating or managing UAS programmes.
• Experience with UK CAA operational authorisations or exemptions.
• Experience developing or maintaining a Safety Management System.
• Experience supporting defence trials, exercises or customer demonstrations.
• Previous experience working with international defence customers or partners.

Why SYOS?

At SYOS, you won’t just be managing operations - you’ll be helping build and deploy autonomous technology that matters. You’ll work alongside engineers, pilots and innovators across a growing international team, with the opportunity to make a direct impact on real‑world autonomous systems.

Build it. Test it. Deploy it.

Join SYOS and help shape the future of autonomous flight.

Security Requirement: To be eligible for this role, you must be able to meet the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). This includes confirming your identity, legal right to work in the UK, recent employment history, and criminal record (unspent convictions only).