Fixed-Wing UAV Flight Operator

About the role

Destinus, a defence technology company developing unmanned aerial vehicles, is looking for a UAV flight operator to join its flight operations team. The role covers fixed-wing UAV missions in operational and test environments, from early-morning checks to last-light recoveries, with responsibility for the aircraft, the ground control station and the mission.

Key responsibilities

• Operate and support fixed-wing UAV missions as pilot, technician and ground control station operator
• Plan flights: airspace coordination, weather analysis, system checks and risk assessment
• Launch, fly and recover UAVs in manual, assisted and autonomous modes
• Run ground control stations, datalinks and communication systems
• Carry out flight tests and adapt profiles during the day
• Operate EO/IR and visual payloads for surveillance, reconnaissance, mapping and tracking
• Ensure safety and regulatory compliance in VLOS and BVLOS operations
• Maintain flight logs, checklists, maintenance records and system documentation
• Perform routine maintenance, troubleshooting and field repairs
• Collaborate with engineers, mission planners and data teams
• Travel frequently for training, test flights and demonstrations, and work from several bases including Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal, Germany, Switzerland and safe zones in Ukraine

Required profile

• At least 3 years flying fixed-wing UAVs in manual and autonomous modes
• Valid UAV flight certifications A1, A2, A3 and Specific
• Proven operational or flight test experience in reconnaissance, surveillance or experimental environments
• Experience as a technician-operator hybrid
• Familiarity with European airspace regulations
• Fluency in English; Spanish, French, German or another language is a plus

Required skills

• Ground control station operation and mission systems
• UAV avionics, telemetry, electronics, datalinks and communication architectures
• Hands-on troubleshooting and real-time problem solving
• Experience with catapult systems and rocket engines for UAV launch is highly valued