UAV Pilot

Milkor Integrated Systems is seeking a Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Pilot to join our Flight Operations team. The UAV Pilot will be responsible for assisting with training and operational missions, supporting flight operations, and ensuring compliance with company procedures and safety standards. This is a highly technical and operational role that requires strong discipline, hands-on ability, and willingness to travel for missions and deployments.

1. Mission Planning & Preparation

• Conduct pre-flight planning, including weather evaluation, airspace analysis, and risk/threat assessments.
• Sign UAV release to service documentation as required.
• Lead and/or participate in flight safety briefings. 

2. Flight Operations

• Safely operate MALE/HALE UAVs in BVLOS and international airspace in accordance with civil and military aviation regulations.

• Execute surveillance, reconnaissance, intelligence, and special mission profiles as assigned.
• Maintain continuous monitoring of aircraft performance and telemetry throughout the mission.
• Apply appropriate normal, abnormal, and emergency procedures to ensure safety of the platform and mission objectives.

3. Compliance & Safety Management

• Adhere to applicable aviation safety and regulatory frameworks (e.g. ICAO Annex 6 Part IV, NATO STANAG, SACAA Part 101 & Part 72, FAA Part 107, and EASA equivalents).
• Comply with company Safety Management System (SMS) practices, including hazard reporting and risk mitigation.

4. Operational Coordination

• Coordinate with Air Traffic Control (ATC), operational centers, and ground support elements for safe mission integration.
• Work closely with payload operators to optimize UAV performance and achieve mission goals.
• Provide operational updates and situational awareness to stakeholders during missions.

5. Post-Mission Duties

• Lead or participate in post-flight debriefings
• Provide recommendations for operational improvements and procedural updates.

6. Continuous Development

• Maintain proficiency through simulator sessions and continuation training.
• Support the training of other UAV pilots and operators as required.
• Stay updated on system technological updates and regulatory changes.

Essential:

Licensing & Certification

• Has or has held a CPL or Military Pilot Licence
• IF Rating

Flight & Technical Experience

• 500+ hours total flying time.

Knowledge

• Aviation safety and regulatory frameworks (ICAO Annexes, SACAA/FAA/EASA regs).
• SMS principles, Threat & Error Management (TEM), and Human Factors.
• Mission planning tools and navigation systems.

Skills

• Strong situational awareness and decision-making under pressure.
• Ability to conduct risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies.
• Communication and teamwork in multi-disciplinary environments.

Other Requirements:

• Willingness to travel regionally/internationally and be deployed at short notice for extended periods to meet operational demands.
• Undergo medical screening as may be required for operations.

Desirable:

• Flight Instructor Rating
• Military or defence flight operations/UAV operations background.
• Experience with NATO STANAG 4671 compliant platforms.