UAV Pilot

About the Role

Our client is a global consulting subsidiary to a worldwide mining corporation, currently looking for a UAV Pilot responsible for the safe, accurate control of the company’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) survey platforms during mineral exploration activities. This includes operating both heavy hybrid unmanned helicopters and light hybrid multirotor UAVs equipped with geophysical and remote-sensing instruments.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate UAVs through all flight phases including takeoff, hovering, waypoint navigation, survey line execution, return, landing, and recovery.
• Serve as mission commander or pilot-in-command when designated, exercising clear authority throughout flight operations.
• Collaborate with Ground Control Station (GCS) operators to assess mission plans, aircraft limitations, flight paths, terrain, weather conditions, communication systems, and contingency protocols.
• Maintain stable flight trajectories suitable for various sensor payloads such as magnetic, radiometric, gravimetric, LiDAR, and hyperspectral equipment.
• Manage abnormal or emergency situations like communication loss, power failures, navigation discrepancies, payload errors, adverse weather, or aircraft performance concerns.
• Document flight logs, post-flight observations, defect reports, and provide handover notes to the operations team.
• Assist with platform testing, pilot training, demonstrations, and efforts to improve operational efficiency.

Qualifications and Experience

• Preferred minimum of 5 years’ experience in UAV, aviation, or unmanned aircraft operations.
• Prior roles such as UAV pilot, pilot-in-command, mission commander, instructor, test pilot, or field chief are advantageous.
• Experience handling heavy UAVs, unmanned helicopters, hybrid UAVs, beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS), controlled airspace, or long-endurance operations is highly valued.
• Exceptional manual control skills, rapid emergency response aptitude, and consistent adherence to procedures are required.
• Capability to work cooperatively with GCS operators, payload technicians, and client representatives in remote and demanding field conditions.
• Possession of UAV pilot certifications, aviation training credentials, or military/industrial UAS experience is preferred.

Work Model and Travel

• Frequent travel to field locations for testing, training programs, mobilization, and survey missions.
• Flexible scheduling based on active campaign and aircraft trial demands.