Demonstration Field Operations Team Lead

Destinus; Katwijk; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Destinus is seeking a Demonstration Team Lead to plan, coordinate and execute UAV demonstration campaigns and deployments worldwide. You will lead aircraft readiness, mission planning, and on-site execution, coordinating engineering, flight operations and logistics to deliver safe, professional demonstrations.

You will guide teams, train operators, manage schedules and documentation, and travel internationally to support deployments, ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in UAV operations, military aviation, aerospace operations, flight testing, or defense environments.
• Proven experience leading operational teams, deployments, demonstrations, or complex field activities
• Military background is strongly preferred, particularly within aviation, reconnaissance, UAV operations, intelligence, artillery, or special operations environments
• Strong engineering understanding with the ability to effectively collaborate with aerospace and technical teams
• Experience managingaircraftreadiness, maintenance coordination, operational planning, and mission execution
• Strong understanding of UAV systems, avionics, telemetry, communication systems, and flight operations
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams in dynamic and demanding operational environments
• Strong project planning, organizational, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability toanticipateoperational challenges and proactively drive solutions
• Experience preparing operational procedures, deployment plans, and technical documentation
• Excellent communication and leadership skills
• Fluency in English isrequired;any other language is a plus
• Willingness to travel internationally and support deployments wheneverrequired

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, preparation, and execution of UAV demonstration campaigns and operational deployments
• Act as the primary operational focal point for the Demonstration Team, ensuring all activities are coordinated and executed successfully
• Build andmaintain demonstration schedules, ensuring milestones, deadlines, and operational requirements are met
• Coordinateaircraftavailability, maintenance activities, payload integration, and system readiness prior to demonstrations
• Ensureaircraft, equipment, personnel,logistics, permits, and operational requirements are fully prepared for each deployment and demonstration
• Coordinate with engineering, flight operations, andlogisticsteams to ensure successful execution of demonstration activities
• Supervise UAV operators, technicians, and support personnel during demonstration campaigns and deployments
• Ensure demonstration teams areproperly trained, briefed, and prepared to execute missions safely and professionally
• Monitor operational risks and implement mitigation measures to ensure successful mission execution
• Oversee flight operations during demonstrations and ensure compliance with applicable safety and regulatory requirements
• Support customer-facing activities and representDestinusduring demonstrations, evaluations, and operational showcases
• Maintain operational documentation, deployment plans, maintenance records, and post-mission reports
• Participate in advanced operational UAV trainingandsupport the continuous development of team capabilities

Skills

UAV operations

Leadership

Operational planning

Project management

English fluency

Job description

Imagine this, you are the driving force behind every successful UAV demonstration delivered byDestinus. As the Demonstration Team Lead, youare responsible forensuring that every deployment,aircraft, system, and team is fully prepared long before theaircraftleaves the ground.

This is a highly operational leadership role where execution matters. You will coordinate demonstration campaigns from end to end, ensuringaircraftreadiness, technical alignment,logisticscoordination, and flawless mission execution. From planning international deployments to leading activities on-site, you will bring together engineering, flight operations,logistics, and demonstration teams to ensure every event is delivered with precision and professionalism.

You will be the person responsible for making sure every demonstration happens successfully, bringing togetheraircraft, technology, people,logistics, and planning into one seamless operation.

AtDestinus, we are revolutionizing the defense industry withcutting-edgeUnmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Our innovative technologies are designed to meet the unique demands of modern defense operations, delivering unparalleled speed, precision, and cost effectiveness.Destinuspartners with government agencies and defense organizations worldwide to provide advanced solutions for mission-critical operations, enabling a new era of efficiency and technological superiority. Join us in shaping the future of defense with groundbreaking aerospace innovations.

What You'll Do

• Lead the planning, preparation, and execution of UAV demonstration campaigns and operational deployments
• Act as the primary operational focal point for the Demonstration Team, ensuring all activities are coordinated and executed successfully
• Build andmaintaindemonstration schedules, ensuring milestones, deadlines, and operational requirements are met
• Coordinateaircraftavailability, maintenance activities, payload integration, and system readiness prior to demonstrations
• Ensureaircraft, equipment, personnel,logistics, permits, and operational requirements are fully prepared for each deployment and demonstration
• Coordinate with engineering, flight operations, andlogisticsteams to ensure successful execution of demonstration activities
• Supervise UAV operators, technicians, and support personnel during demonstration campaigns and deployments
• Ensure demonstration teams areproperly trained, briefed, and prepared to execute missions safely and professionally
• Monitor operational risks and implement mitigation measures to ensure successful mission execution
• Oversee flight operations during demonstrations and ensure compliance with applicable safety and regulatory requirements
• Support customer-facing activities and representDestinusduring demonstrations, evaluations, and operational showcases
• Maintain operational documentation, deployment plans, maintenance records, and post-mission reports
• Participate in advanced operational UAV trainingandsupport the continuous development of team capabilities
  

What You'll Do

• Lead the planning, preparation, and execution of UAV demonstration campaigns and operational deployments

• Act as the primary operational focal point for the Demonstration Team, ensuring all activities are coordinated and executed successfully

• Build andmaintaindemonstration schedules, ensuring milestones, deadlines, and operational requirements are met

• Coordinateaircraftavailability, maintenance activities, payload integration, and system readiness prior to demonstrations

• Ensureaircraft, equipment, personnel,logistics, permits, and operational requirements are fully prepared for each deployment and demonstration

• Coordinate with engineering, flight operations, andlogisticsteams to ensure successful execution of demonstration activities

• Supervise UAV operators, technicians, and support personnel during demonstration campaigns and deployments

• Ensure demonstration teams areproperly trained, briefed, and prepared to execute missions safely and professionally

• Monitor operational risks and implement mitigation measures to ensure successful mission execution

• Oversee flight operations during demonstrations and ensure compliance with applicable safety and regulatory requirements

• Support customer-facing activities and representDestinusduring demonstrations, evaluations, and operational showcases

• Maintain operational documentation, deployment plans, maintenance records, and post-mission reports

• Participate in advanced operational UAV trainingandsupport the continuous development of team capabilities
  

Requirements

What You'll Need

• Minimum 10 years of experience in UAV operations, military aviation, aerospace operations, flight testing, or defense environments

• Proven experience leading operational teams, deployments, demonstrations, or complex field activities

• Military background is strongly preferred, particularly within aviation, reconnaissance, UAV operations, intelligence, artillery, or special operations environments

• Strong engineering understanding with the ability to effectively collaborate with aerospace and technical teams

• Experience managingaircraftreadiness, maintenance coordination, operational planning, and mission execution

• Strong understanding of UAV systems, avionics, telemetry, communication systems, and flight operations

• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams in dynamic and demanding operational environments

• Strong project planning, organizational, and stakeholder management skills

• Ability toanticipateoperational challenges and proactively drive solutions

• Experience preparing operational procedures, deployment plans, and technical documentation

• Excellent communication and leadership skills

• Fluency in English isrequired;any other language is a plus

• Willingness to travel internationally and support deployments wheneverrequired
  

Who You Are

• You are a highly organized operational leader who thrives on execution and accountability

• You can coordinate people,aircraft,logistics, and technical activities simultaneously without losing attention to detail

• Youanticipateproblems before they arise and keep teams focused on solutions

• Youremaincalm under pressure and make decisions confidently in dynamic environments

• You lead by example and sethigh standardsfor safety, professionalism, and performance

• You understand that successful demonstrations are built through preparation, discipline, and teamwork

Benefits

Why Join Us?

The Thrill of the Future - Work on cutting-edge projects that redefine aerospace.
Global Innovation Hub - Collaborate with top engineers from all over the world.
Fast-Paced & High-Growth - Experience the rush of working in a rapidly expanding company.
Real Impact - Your work won't be theoretical—it will shape the future of flight.

Destinus is an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity in our companies and our teams and do not discriminate based on age, race, religion, color, country of origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability status.

Security screening is an integral component of the selection process, ensuring that candidates meet the organization's security standards and safeguarding against potential risks.

Providing a Certificate of Conduct (VOG) is a standard part of the application process at Destinus.