UAS Inspector (Non-Certified Ops)

Irish Aviation Authority; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 77,000 - 106,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Cycle to work scheme

Tax-free transport support (Bus/Luas/R

Employee assistance programme

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) seeks a skilled UAS Inspector (Non-Certified Ops) to drive drone regulation and safety programs in Ireland. The role involves market surveillance, authorisations, and oversight of operators, supported by a strong regulatory background.

The position offers hybrid working arrangements in Dublin, with travel as required and opportunities for professional development and cross-agency collaboration.

Qualifications

• A relevant degree or aviation experience is required.
• Five+ years’ experience in UAS operation and/or regulation.
• Experience with safety standards and regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of international, EU and Irish regulatory frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Issue, amend, suspend, limit or revoke certificates of competency for remote pilots.
• Issue, amend, suspend, limit or revoke operational authorisations and LUCs.
• Carry out risk-based oversight and audits of UAS operators and recognised entities.
• Provide information and support to UAS operators on safety, regulation and standards.

Skills

A relevant degree or aviation exp

5+ years UAS experience

Regulatory knowledge

Excellent communication

Willingness to travel

Education

Third level qualification

Job description

The Irish Aviation Authority is the civil aviation regulator for Ireland. We are responsible for the regulation of safety, security, and consumer interests. Our responsibilities are set out in the framework of applicable global, European, and national legislation/regulation. For more information, please visit our website: About the Irish Aviation Authority.

Mission: The Irish Aviation Authority regulates to the highest professional standards to ensure a safe, secure, sustainable and consumer-focused civil aviation environment. We support world-class performance and innovation in Irish and global aviation.

Values: Our values reflect what we believe in and how we behave when engaging with each other, our clients and partners, and the society in which we live.

• Safety First: We Uphold the highest standards of Civil Aviation safety and security in everything we do for the benefit of aircraft passengers and aviation personnel and in the public interest.
• Costumer Focussed: We protect the rights of consumers, ensuring a safe, secure and efficient civil aviation experience.
• Sustainability: We Support the development of aviation in a sustainable manner that meets the present demands for safeguarding the needs of the future.
• Integrity and Accountability: We Act with transparency, fairness and responsibility in all our decisions and actions.
• Professionalism: We Maintain the highest levels of expertise, ethics, responsiveness, efficiency and conduct in our work, and we recognise our true strength is in our people.
• Collaboration: We Work closely with stakeholders to promote trust, alignment and shared success.
• Respect and Inclusion: We Value diverse perspectives and foster an inclusive, respectful workplace and stakeholder environment.

Job Description

The IAA seeks a highly motivated individual for the role of UAS Inspector (Non-Certified Ops). The purpose of this role is to enact the IAA’s program for the promotion and regulation of drones, including market surveillance, ensuring the highest level of safety, security, and protection for citizens.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The UAS Inspector responsibilities include:

• Issuing, amending, suspending, limiting, or revoking certificates of competency of remote pilots.
• Issuing, amending, suspending, limiting, or revoking operational authorisations and LUCs.
• Verifying completeness, issuing confirmations of receipt, and issuing confirmations of completeness for operational declarations.
• Carrying out risk-based oversight and audits of:
• UAS operators that have submitted a declaration, hold an operational authorisation, or an LUC.
• Recognised entities.
• Model clubs and associations that hold an authorisation.
• Economic operators with respect to market surveillance.
• Investigate incidents of non-compliance by:
• UAS operators operating in the ‘open’ or ‘specific’ categories.
• Recognised entities.
• Economic operators with respect to market surveillance.
• Assist in the maintenance and preservation of documents, records, and reports concerning UAS operational authorisations, declarations, certificates of competency of the remote pilots, LUCs, recognised entities, and economic operators with respect to market surveillance.
• Provide information and support (includes giving advice on regulations and standards) to UAS operators for the purpose of:
• Safety promotion
• Clarification
• Policy announcement
• Technical information
• Advise the UAS Manager on specific or general matters concerning UAS and provide technical advice and support to other departments internally.
• Periodic meetings with UAS pilots, operators, industry, recognised entities, and economic operators.
• Exercise corrective action (administrative and if necessary legal measures) to ensure compliance with the required standards.
• Assist in the provision of technical advice in the development of safety standards and in the development of regulations in relation to UAS.
• Represent the UAS Manager, where required.
• Provide OJT to other UAS Inspectors.
• Carry out functions of the Market Surveillance Authority role of the IAA.
• Carrying out inspection of:
• Economic operators (manufacturers, importers, authorised representatives, distributors and fulfilment service providers)
• Directing economic operator to conduct corrective actions and checking the implementation thereof.
• Assist with maintaining a database of economic operators to record test reports, certificates of conformity, etc
• Assist in establishing procedures and processes
• Co-ordinate with other State MSAs and Customs.
• Actively participate with counterparts in other member states though EU Commission UAS Administrative Cooperation Group.

Skills and Qualifications

The successful candidate should have the following qualifications and skills:

Required

• A relevant third level qualification or equivalent aviation experience.
• At least five years’ experience working in UAS operation and/or regulation.
• Experience and understanding of safety standards and regulatory requirements.
• Detailed knowledge of relevant International, EU and Irish regulatory requirements and standards.
• Detailed knowledge of the framework of international organisations with which the IAA works including, ICAO, EASA and ECAC.
• Knowledge of the European market surveillance regulatory framework (including applicable conformity assessment modules, formal and technical compliance assessment, risk assessment).
• Familiarity with European Commission` Blue Guide, ICMS and Safety Gate.
• Familiarity with the working of the Aeronautical Information Management.
• Familiarity with Airspace Management.
• Have knowledge of future UAS requirements and developments.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• The ability to undertake work in a diligent, conscientious, and meticulous manner.
• The ability to investigate and to reach justified conclusions.
• The ability to cope concurrently with several tasks and to work under time pressure.
• A willingness to travel extensively.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to produce coherent and well-constructed reports.
• Good personnel management and organisational skills together with the ability to deal with the UAS industry at the highest level.

Key Competencies Required for Effective Performance

For assessment of applicants the following competency model will be used. This model reflects the changing and more complex environment in which those at this level operate. Each competency is supported by a list of key performance indicators set out below.

EFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• Leadership Potential
• Judgement, Analysis & Decision Making
• Management & Delivery of Results
• Interpersonal & Communication Skills
• Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self-Development

Salary Rate

The salary range for this role is Point 1 €77,190 to Point 9 €106,136 pro rata per annum.

Probationary Period

The position is subject to a probationary period of 6 months from the date of actual commencement and is subject to the provision of satisfactory performance during that period.

Hours of Attendance

Hours of attendance will be fixed from time to time but will amount to not less than 41 hours gross per week. The successful candidate will be required to work additional hours from time to time as may be reasonable and necessary for the proper performance of their duties subject to the limits set down in the working time regulations.

Annual Leave excluding public holidays is 26 days pro rata per annum.

Pension

The successful candidate will on date of joining become a member of the Irish Aviation Authority pension scheme details of which will be communicated to the successful candidate on offer of appointment.

Other Benefits

• Access to cycle to work scheme
• Tax free Bus/ Luas/ Rail to assist with travel costs to and from work
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to IAA health and wellbeing initiatives
• Learning and Development opportunities

Location

The IAA is based in the Times Building, 11-12 D'Olier Street, Dublin 2 near Trinity College. We are convenient to all Luas lines; several Dublin Bus routes and are about 5 minutes from Tara Street Railway Station. We are also just minutes from O’Connell Street and St. Stephen’s Green.

Hybrid working arrangements may be agreed in line with IAA Flexible Working policy.

Application

Applications must consist of the following to be considered for shortlisting:

• A letter of motivation (max. two A4 pages) outlining why you wish to be considered for the post and where you believe your skills and experience meet the requirements of the position.

Complete applications including a CV and letter of motivation should be received no later than the 25th November 2026 at 5pm.

Candidates should note that eligibility to compete is open to citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, the UK and those with an IRP with stamp 4. To qualify candidates must be citizens of the EEA, Switzerland, the UK or have an IRP with stamp 4 on the date of application.

The IAA are not in the position to offer sponsorship for this role.

The IAA promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion and welcomes applications from people from diverse backgrounds and under-represented groups including, but not limited to, ethnic minority and people with disabilities. IAA firmly believes that such diversity enriches our workplace culture and drives innovation.

If you have a disability or need any specific accommodations during the application or selection process, please let us know. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments to ensure all candidates have an equal opportunity to participate fully in the recruitment process. You can contact us at [e-mail].