Flight Operations Lead

Redwing LabsTM for KiteMaps AMS Pvt. Ltd.; India; On-site; INR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering healthcare logistics company in India is seeking a Flight Operations Lead to manage drone operations in Andhra Pradesh. The ideal candidate will oversee BVLOS flight missions, mentor a team, and ensure operational excellence while working in rural areas. Strong technical skills in drone operation and a valid DGCA RPAS Pilot Certificate are required. This role is critical in enhancing healthcare access for underserved regions through innovative, frontline aviation solutions.

Qualifications

• Must hold a valid DGCA RPAS Pilot Certificate from an authorized RPTO.
• 2 to 5 years of experience in BVLOS drone operations including technical troubleshooting.
• Strong field orientation, comfortable working in rural areas for extended durations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage daily BVLOS drone operations from multiple hubs.
• Mentor a team of drone operators and ensure safety and compliance.
• Engage with health officers and local authorities for smooth operations.

Skills

Team management

Technical troubleshooting

Aviation safety protocols

Effective communication in English and Hindi

Education

Graduate or Diploma in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Mechatronics

Tools

Pixhawk

ArduPilot

QGroundControl

Job description

Redwing is redefining healthcare logistics in India. We build and operate drone-based delivery systems that make life-saving medical supplies accessible in the most remote and underserved regions. We're not just solving logistics problems, we are rewriting the story of rural healthcare access.

Our partners include USAID, UPS Foundation, Indian Oil, Piramal Foundation, Yamaha, Apollo Hospitals, and multiple state governments. With Andhra Pradesh as our next frontier, Redwing is launching a high-impact healthcare transformation powered by drone technology.

About the Role

We are looking for a mission-driven Flight Operations Lead to anchor autonomous drone operations under Redwing’s healthcare logistics program in Andhra Pradesh. This is a frontline leadership role that blends deep technical knowledge with real-time field execution. You will oversee BVLOS flight missions, mentor a team of drone operators, ensure safety and compliance, and uphold operational excellence across remote and tribal districts.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in high-accountability environments, understands aviation safety deeply, and wants to lead life-saving innovations in action.

Key Responsibilities

1. Flight Execution & Technical Oversight

• Lead and manage daily BVLOS drone operations from multiple hubs and delivery points
• Ensure DGCA-compliant and SOP-aligned flight execution, prioritizing safety and incident-free operations
• Troubleshoot real-time technical issues including weather, equipment, and software
• Maintain operational readiness of GCS, drones, batteries, and support systems

2. Team Building & Training

• Recruit, onboard, and coach local youth as Flight Operators and Junior Technicians
• Conduct practical training in safety, emergency procedures, flight planning, and SOP compliance
• Foster a field culture of accountability, technical accuracy, and team discipline

3. Maintenance, Readiness & Inventory

• Conduct pre-flight checks, maintenance audits, and readiness verification for UAVs and GCS
• Coordinate with central engineering for issue escalation, part replacements, and performance upgrades
• Track inventory of critical spares and ensure seamless availability across field hubs

4. Safety & Compliance

• Enforce BVLOS operational standards as per DGCA, MoCA, and internal protocols
• Monitor terrain, airspace, and weather risks and lead pre-flight risk assessments
• Maintain detailed logs, mission records, incident reports, and daily flight summaries

5. Emergency Response & Mission Support

• Act as nodal officer for high-priority and emergency drone deliveries including vaccines and blood
• Participate in risk mapping and SOP formulation for drone-related emergencies
• Lead drills, simulations, and field troubleshooting for critical response preparedness

6. Government & Stakeholder Coordination

• Represent Redwing in district-level ops meetings, airspace discussions, and law enforcement briefings
• Engage with health officers, facility staff, ATC and local air authorities to ensure smooth coordination

7. Program Integration

• Work in close sync with Program Manager and MedOps teams to align drone flights with healthcare delivery priorities
• Ensure technical workflows are responsive to patient-centric logistics and district health schedules

What You’ll Bring

• Graduate or Diploma in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Mechatronics, or equivalent technical field
• Must hold a valid DGCA RPAS Pilot Certificate from an authorized RPTO
• 2 to 5 years of experience in BVLOS drone operations including technical troubleshooting and team management
• Proficient in Pixhawk, ArduPilot, or PX4-based platforms
• Experience with VTOL drones, Mission Planner, QGroundControl, or similar tools
• Strong understanding of aviation safety, risk protocols, and DGCA documentation
• Effective communication in English and Hindi. Telugu is a strong advantage
• Strong field orientation. Comfortable working in rural, remote, and tribal regions for extended durations

Bonus Tools and Skills

• Deep interest in public health delivery, aviation systems, and field execution
• Strong leadership and mentoring ability for local, diverse teams
• Cool-headed, resourceful, and disciplined under mission-critical pressure
• Able to coordinate with government, medical teams, and technical departments effectively

Why Redwing, Why Now

This is your chance to lead frontline aviation operations that save lives every day. As the Flight Operations Lead, you will define the technical backbone of India’s most advanced medical drone network. Your work will ensure safe, timely, and efficient access to essential healthcare for underserved communities.

Required Skills