Drone Co-Pilot

Artificial Intelligence Global Company; Al Khobar; On-site; SAR 60,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Artificial Intelligence Global Company is seeking a Drone Co-Pilot to support safe and efficient drone missions. You will assist the Pilot in Command in all flight stages, from planning to post-flight procedures, with emphasis on VLOS operations and regulatory compliance.

You will help review flight paths, monitor weather and equipment, communicate with the PIC, and participate in data handling and mission debriefs, while maintaining safety standards and training requirements.

Qualifications

• Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in aviation, engineering, or related field preferred.
• Previous UAV co-pilot, visual observer, or ground crew experience is advantageous.
• Familiarity with drone systems, payload integration, and mission planning tools may help.

Responsibilities

• Assist the PIC in pre-flight planning and flight checklist preparation.
• Serve as Visual Observer (VO) or support RPIC during VLOS missions.
• Monitor drone and payload performance and report anomalies to the PIC.
• Maintain continuous communication with the PIC and mission team on hazards and conditions.
• Assist in emergency procedures and post-flight data handling and checks.
• Ensure compliance with local and international regulations and SOPs.

Skills

Communication

Situational awareness

Teamwork

Flight operations knowledge

Education

Diploma or Bachelor’s in aviation/engineering

Job description

The Drone Co-Pilot supports the safe and efficient operation of drone missions by assisting the Pilot in Command (PIC) in all stages of flight, from pre-flight planning to post-flight procedures. This role is critical to ensuring operational safety, regulatory compliance, and high-quality mission execution, particularly in Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) operations.

• Assist the PIC in pre-flight planning, including: - Reviewing flight paths and assessing airspace - Conducting equipment and flight checklist preparations - Monitoring weather conditions

• Serve as Visual Observer (VO) or support Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) during VLOS missions
• Monitor drone and payload performance during flight, immediately alerting the PIC of any anomalies or system issues
• Maintain continuous communication with the PIC and mission team, reporting: - Environmental hazards - Obstacles - Any conditions impacting safety or mission success
• Support emergency procedures, such as: - Controlled landings - Failsafe activations - System recovery operations
• Assist in post-flight tasks: - Downloading mission data - Conducting equipment and battery checks - Managing data storage and backups
• Ensure compliance with: - Local and international aviation regulations (e.g., GACA, FAA Part 107, EASA) - Company SOPs and operational manuals - Client-specific safety and quality requirements
• Engage in ongoing training and certification to maintain technical knowledge and readiness

Education and Qualifications

• Diploma or bachelor's degree in aviation, engineering, or a related field (preferred)
• Previous experience as a UAV co-pilot, visual observer, or ground crew is an advantage
• Familiarity with: - Drone systems and payload integration - Mission planning software and tools
• Strong understanding of aviation regulatory frameworks (GACA, FAA, EASA, etc.)
• Excellent communication skills and situational awareness
• Ability to operate in diverse and sometimes challenging environmental conditions

Requirements:

• 1– 2 years of experience, fresh graduate