Lead Drone Surveyor in Birmingham

Regional role with UK wide travel - can be based from any of our offices.

Role Overview

The UAS Operations Manager is responsible for leading and developing Survey Solutions' UAS operations, ensuring the delivery of high-quality aerial survey data to the standards expected by our clients and regulators. This is a technically advanced and operationally influential role combining hands-on flying with the management of drone operations, safety systems, training, and equipment across the business. Responsible for all UAS pilots (indirect line reports) in the business their training accreditation, safety, systems, processing pipelines - developing our drone / UAS strategy and services. You will take ownership of the internal governance framework for drone operations — including flight risk assessments, pilot currency, equipment maintenance, and compliance with CAA regulations — while actively working to expand the company's UAV capabilities into emerging areas such as BVLOS operations and infrastructure monitoring. You will be responsible for all UAS pilots in the business (as indirect line reports), overseeing their training, accreditation, safety, systems, and data processing pipelines. Beyond this, you will help shape and develop our drone/UAS strategy and service offering, including evolving the Vismo platform to become the most desirable platform for viewing, interacting with, and sharing UAS data alongside all 3D survey data. You will report to the Associate Director of Land and Property Survey and will represent Survey Solutions as a trusted, expert UAV operator in interactions with clients, regulators, and partner organisations. You will conduct yourself professionally, acting as an ambassador for Survey Solutions' values in all client, regulator, and partner interactions.

Requirements

Main Duties / Key Responsibilities

• Flight Operations
• Plan, prepare and execute UAV survey missions across a range of environments, including restricted and sensitive airspace.
• Operate a variety of UAV platforms including DJI Matrice series, Wingtra, and other fixed-wing and multi-rotor systems.
• Produce site-specific flight risk assessments (RAMS) in line with CAA requirements and company standards.
• Ensure all flights are conducted in compliance with CAA regulations and the company's Operations Manual.
• Process and QA aerial data outputs (photogrammetry, LiDAR, thermal, inspection) to Survey Solutions delivery standards.
• Work alongside land and utilities survey teams to integrate drone data within wider project deliverables.
• Operations Management & Governance
• Act as the company's internal authority for drone operations, overseeing flight logs, RAMS compliance, and pilot currency across all offices.
• Develop and maintain an internal audit plan covering RAMS checks, pilot currency reviews, and equipment maintenance schedules.
• Manage drone equipment including batteries, airframes, payloads and accessories, ensuring maintenance records are up to date and serviceability standards are maintained.
• Oversee equipment hire, repair and procurement requirements, including evaluation of new platforms and technologies.
• Liaise with the HSEQ Manager to integrate drone-specific standards into the company's broader health, safety and compliance systems, including Dynamics integration for drone RAMS.
• Maintain and develop drone operations content on internal platforms (VISMO, Confluence) and contribute to company-wide knowledge sharing.
• Develop SOPs for all drone activities, building out the Survey Solutions Way playbook for UAV operations.
• Training & Development
• Build and maintain training pipelines for drone pilots across the business, covering onboarding, city centre operations, restricted airspace, emergency procedures and quality assurance.
• Deliver toolbox talks, pre-start project briefings and structured training sessions for junior pilots.
• Ensure all pilots maintain appropriate qualifications and currency in line with evolving CAA requirements, including RCP Level 1 and future RCP Level 2/BVLOS frameworks.
• Support the interviewing and onboarding of new drone team members.
• Work alongside the Senior Trainer to produce internal training guides and programmes for new pilots.
• Business Development, Innovation & Commercial
• Champion the growth of SSL's drone capability, positioning the business as a specialist UAS operator beyond standard photogrammetry.
• Lead development of the company's BVLOS readiness, including familiarity with SORA methodology, detect-and-avoid concepts, and CAA consultation/operational authorisation processes.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies including docked drones, heavier payload platforms (e.g. mobile laser scanner-equipped UAVs), and inspection drones (e.g. Elios caged systems).
• Work with the Senior Leadership Team to identify and communicate the commercial value of drone services to existing and prospective clients.
• Contribute to the development of service propositions for growth sectors including rail, energy and infrastructure monitoring.
• Review incoming drone enquiries and provide fee estimates to the relevant Operations Manager for quoting.
• Where a project is drone-focused, liaise directly with the client to scope requirements and provide fee proposals.
• General Operational
• Manage project logistics for drone assignments including site access, airspace authorisations and subcontractor attendance where required.
• Support the Operations Managers with resource planning, scheduling and allocation of drone equipment and personnel.
• Ensure project files are complete and fully QA'd prior to delivery.
• Maintain housekeeping of project and operational records within Dynamics.