[Hiring] UAS Ground Control Station Operator @SYOS Aerospace UK

Role Description

We’re looking for a UAS Ground Control Station (GCS) Operator to join our growing Flight Operations team in the UK. This is a hands-on operational role supporting flight trials, demonstrations, testing and customer missions. You’ll operate and monitor Ground Control Stations, supporting Remote Pilots and working closely with engineering, autonomy and flight test teams to safely execute missions.

You’ll play an important role in ensuring our aircraft, ground systems and mission payloads perform as intended, while providing valuable operational feedback to the teams developing our next generation of autonomous vehicles.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone with experience in:

• UAS operations
• GCS systems
• Military aviation
• Defence
• Aerospace
• Another safety-critical environment

Key Responsibilities

• Flight Operations
  • Operate Ground Control Stations during flight trials, demonstrations and operational missions.
  • Monitor aircraft health, telemetry, communications and mission status throughout flight.
  • Execute mission plans and update operational parameters as required.
  • Support autonomous and semi-autonomous flight operations.
  • Assist Remote Pilots during take-off, mission execution and recovery.
  • Conduct pre-flight, in-flight and post-flight operational checks.
• Mission Execution
  • Configure mission systems, payloads and communications equipment.
  • Monitor and operate EO/IR, ISR and other mission payloads.
  • Maintain situational awareness of airspace, weather and operational risks.
  • Record mission data, observations and operational outcomes.
  • Support BVLOS and complex UAS operations where authorised.
• Safety & Compliance
  • Follow SYOS Flight Operations Manuals, SOPs and Safety Management System (SMS) requirements.
  • Identify and report hazards, incidents and operational risks.
  • Support a positive, just-culture approach to safety reporting.
  • Ensure operations comply with applicable UK CAA regulations, customer requirements and internal procedures.
  • Support operational risk assessments, mission briefings and flight readiness activities.
• Technical & Test Support
  • Assist with system integration, testing and validation activities.
  • Support troubleshooting of aircraft, payloads, communications and Ground Control Systems.
  • Provide operational feedback to engineering, autonomy and flight test teams.
  • Participate in developmental, verification and acceptance testing programmes.
  • Assist with identifying system performance issues and recommending improvements.
• Deployment & Customer Support
  • Deploy across the UK and internationally to support customer demonstrations, training and operational missions.
  • Support transportation, setup and teardown of GCS and associated mission equipment.
  • Work alongside military, government and commercial customers in a professional and operational environment.
  • Be prepared to work outdoors and across varied operational locations, including extended or unsociable hours when required.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience operating UAS/UAV Ground Control Stations in an operational, aviation, defence, aerospace or safety-critical environment.
• Understanding of uncrewed aircraft operations and flight planning principles.
• Understanding of UK UAS regulations and concepts such as CAA CAP 722, Specific Category and Operational Authorisations.
• Ability to interpret telemetry, aircraft health and mission data and make timely decisions under pressure.
• Strong situational awareness and disciplined, checklist-driven working practices.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, particularly when working as part of a flight crew.
• Confidence using computer-based mission systems, mapping software and operational applications.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to remain focused in demanding operational environments.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly, including internationally and at short notice.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Eligible to live and work in the UK and able to obtain UK Security Clearance.

Desirable

• UK CAA GVC and/or A2 CofC.
• Experience supporting BVLOS operations.
• Familiarity with SORA and operational safety case development.
• Experience with fixed-wing and/or VTOL UAS platforms.
• Experience with launch and recovery systems.
• Knowledge of datalinks, RF systems and antenna configuration.
• Familiarity with autopilot and flight-stack systems.
• Experience operating EO/IR or other specialist mission payloads.
• Radiotelephony qualification and operational experience.
• Military UAS/RPAS experience.
• Defense, aerospace or flight test experience.

Benefits

• This is more than a GCS Operator role. You’ll be part of the team developing and testing the aircraft of tomorrow.
• You’ll work alongside engineers, pilots, autonomy specialists and flight test teams, gaining exposure to advanced UAS platforms and real-world autonomous operations.
• Build it. Test it. Deploy it.
• If you want to work hands-on with autonomous technology and see your work move from the workshop and test environment into real-world operations, we want to hear from you.

Security Requirement

To be eligible for this role, you must be able to meet the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). This includes confirming your identity, legal right to work in the UK, recent employment history, and criminal record (unspent convictions only).

We are not accepting unsolicited CVs from recruitment agencies. Any CVs sent without prior agreement, including those shared directly with hiring managers, will be considered gifted and no fees will be payable.