Lead Drone Surveyor in Ipswich

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

Main Duties / Key Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.

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.