You will be responsible for planning, executing, and certifying complex UAS missions, primarily within the Specific Category, and will be instrumental in pushing the boundaries of Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations.

Operating in an extremely innovative and fast-paced environment, your expertise in flight operations, technical systems, and risk management will directly impact the development and deployment of cutting-edge defence technology.

Key responsibilities include:

• Planning, preparing, and executing UAS missions, including those within challenging VLOS and BVLOS scenarios, ensuring full compliance with mission objectives and regulatory requirements.

• Acting as Safety Pilot, conducting manual flight operations with fixed wing and FW VTOL UAS in challenging and complex multi-UAS operations.

• Conducting pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight checks and diagnostics on UAS platforms and associated ground control systems.

• Operating and troubleshooting various UAS systems, demonstrating advanced proficiency with Pixhawk and Cube Orange Flight Controllers, including configuration, firmware and parameter management, and mission planning using relevant ground control station software.

• Developing and implementing mission-specific risk assessments, meticulously applying Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) principles to ensure the safe and compliant execution of operations within the UK CAA Specific Category.

• Maintaining accurate and comprehensive flight logs, technical records, incident reports, and other required documentation in accordance with regulatory and company procedures.

• Collaborating closely with engineering, flight test, and project teams to provide feedback on UAS performance, identify areas for improvement, and integrate new technologies and operational procedures.

• Ensuring strict adherence to all UK CAA regulations for UAS operations, particularly within the Specific Category framework, including managing operational authorisations and permits.

• Providing technical support and potentially undertaking basic field maintenance or fault rectification on UAS platforms, ensuring operational readiness.

• Actively contributing to the development of safe systems of work for UAS operations, promoting a robust safety culture and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.

• Mentoring and potentially training less experienced operators, fostering a high standard of operational excellence and safety awareness.

Required qualifications include:

• Hold a valid UK CAA General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC).

• Significant experience of manual UAS or RC aircraft operations on FW and FW VTOL airframes.

• Demonstrable and significant experience in planning and executing UAS operations within the UK CAA Specific Category.

• Proven practical experience in BVLOS operations, including relevant approvals or experience within an organisation holding BVLOS permissions.

• Thorough understanding and practical application of UK CAA Specific Category operations, including the development of Operational Safety Cases and the process for obtaining operational authorisations.

• Expert-level technical proficiency with Pixhawk and Cube Orange Flight Controllers, including hands-on experience in their integration, setup, configuration, advanced troubleshooting, and operation.

• An understanding of aviation paperwork and a meticulous approach to documentation and record-keeping.

• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to make critical decisions under pressure.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, capable of working effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

• Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends, and travel extensively to support field operations (potentially 25-50% of the time).

• Valid driver's license.

• Ability to obtain a UK Security Check (SC) clearance or higher.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Understanding and practical experience of UK MAA UAS operations including S1 or S2 category.

• Comprehensive knowledge and practical experience in applying MAA Risk Assessment principles to define and mitigate risks for complex UAS missions.

• UK MAA Evaluator Aircrew or other trials qualification.

• Thorough understanding of military test processes and authorisations.

• Experience with Fixed Wing VTOL UAS Operations and with multiple-air vehicle operations.

• 5 years’ experience as Manual Safety Pilot for FW/MR UAS.

• Strong understanding of rotary and fixed wing UAS aerodynamics, flight dynamics, and system architectures.

• Experience with other UAS flight controllers, ground control stations, or payloads (e.g., LiDAR, advanced EO/IR sensors).

• Background in aviation maintenance, electronics, or robotics.

• Experience operating UAS in challenging environments (e.g., maritime, mountainous, urban).

• Technical qualification (e.g., HNC/HND, apprenticeship) in electronics, avionics, mechanical engineering, or a related field.

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We are looking for builders and owners who operate with speed and urgency and execute with excellence. This is an opportunity to do career-defining work. We're all in on this mission. If you are too, let's talk.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Staff Program Manager to lead and support a strategic initiative focused on expanding our operations into highly regulated federal environments. This critical role will serve as the primary driver for ensuring program success while navigating complex compliance requirements and maintaining strong relationships with federal stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage program execution for initiatives entering highly regulated federal environments, ensuring adherence to compliance frameworks and regulatory requirements
• Serve as primary liaison between functional and technical teams, federal partners and sponsors, and internal stakeholders to ensure alignment on program objectives, deliverables, and timelines
• Develop and maintain comprehensive program plans, including risk management strategies, resource allocation, and milestone tracking
• Create and deliver executive-level status reports, briefings, and presentations for senior leadership
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of compliance requirements into all program workstreams
• Identify and mitigate program risks while proactively developing contingency plans
• Manage stakeholder expectations and communications across all levels of the organisation and with relevant federal partners as needed
• Collaborate and align with Okta leaders, customer stakeholders, regulators to ensure Okta is meeting and/or exceeding expectations and providing mission impact

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of program or project management experience in federal regulated industries
• Active TS/SCI clearance (required at time of hire)
• Demonstrated experience understanding compliance requirements as part of major projects or programs in regulated environments
• Experience with federal compliance frameworks (CMMC, ) and Federal authorisations (FedRamp High, IL4/5/6/7)
• Experience in bringing commercial software into air-gapped highly regulated Cloud Environments, including AWS.
• Proven track record of successful interaction and relationship management with federal government customers and partners
• Strong experience developing executive-level status reports, briefings, and communications for C-suite and senior government officials
• Must be located within commuting distance of Washington, DC

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent (PMI-ACP, PRINCE2, etc.)
• Background in software/technology programs serving federal agencies
• Previous experience with DoD, Intelligence Community, or civilian federal agencies

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