Chief Pilot

Chief Pilot London

We seek to move the world forward through innovative thinking.
Woolpert is an awardwinning global leader in architecture engineering and geospatial services. We blend design excellence with cuttingedge technology to deliver exceptional client value and as a certified Great Place to Work we embrace progress and innovation to create limitless opportunities for career growth.

As part of Woolpert Murphy Geospatial A Woolpert Company contributes deep geospatial expertise across Europe supporting complex infrastructure property manufacturing utilities and naturalenvironment projects through worldclass data capture verification and governance.

Position Overview

Murphy Geospatial A Woolpert Company is seeking an experienced Chief Pilot to provide operational leadership and technical assurance for our UAS flight operations across the UK. This is a key aviation safety role responsible for ensuring that all flights are plannedauthorisedand conducted safely legally andin accordance withWoolperts Operations Manual and CAA permissions. You willmaintainpilot standards overseeaircraftairworthinessand support the safe delivery of high-quality survey projects frominitialplanning through to flight completion.

What You Will Do

Flight Operations & Regulatory Compliance

• Act as thelegal Accountable Managerensuring compliance with UK CAA regulations the company Operations Manual and all applicable permissions and exemptions.

• Review and approve flight plans operating sites airspace requirements riskassessmentsand emergency procedures before deployment.

• Maintain the Operations Manual and support applications variations and renewals for Operational AuthorisationsSORAand other regulatory approvals.

Operational Planning & Execution

• Provide technical direction to remote pilots and project teams during mission planning and flight operations.

• Confirm that proposedaircraft sensorspilotsand operating methods are suitable for each task and operating environment.

Safety Airworthiness & Standards

• Promote a strong aviation safety culture and ensure that incidents occurrences and near misses are reportedinvestigatedand communicated appropriately.

• Maintain oversight ofaircraftregistration maintenance firmware defectsserviceabilityand flight records to ensure fleet airworthiness.

• Monitor changes to UAS legislation CAAguidanceand industry good practice updating operational procedures whererequired.

Pilot Competence & Training

• Assessauthoriseand periodically review remote pilot competencecurrencyand operating limitations.

• Maintain pilot training qualification and flight-time records and coordinate recurrent training and competency checks.

• Provide coaching and technical guidance to remote pilots sharing lessons learned and standardising safe operating practice.

• Ensure pilots receiveappropriate projectsiteand equipment briefings before undertaking flight operations.

Technical & Project Support

• Advise project teams and clients on flight feasibility operating constraints permissions platformselectionand safemethodology.

• Support tender and project planning activities withaccurateoperational assumptions riskcontrolsand programme requirements.

• Liaise with clients landowners air traffic servicesairportsand other stakeholders whererequiredto enable safe flight operations.

Continuous Improvement

• Evaluate newaircraft sensors andoperatingtechniques ensuring that changes are risk assessedtestedand incorporated into controlled procedures before operational use.

• Review operational performance audit findings and lessons learned to improve safetyconsistencyand efficiency across UAS operations.

What You Will Bring

• Relevant qualification or substantial professional experience in UAS aviation geospatial surveying or a related discipline.

• Minimumthreeyears commercial UAS experience including significant recent operational flying experience.

• Current CAA GVC/RPC-01and evidence of recent relevant UAS flying hours.

• Detailed knowledge of UK UAS regulation CAA guidance Operational Authorisations operational riskassessmentand Operations Manual requirements.

• Proven experience planningauthorisingand supervising complex commercial UAS operations including client and stakeholder engagement.

• Strong knowledge of UAS platforms sensors command-and-control systems flight-planningsoftwareand operational limitations.

• Demonstrable experiencemaintainingpilot competencyaircraftairworthinessand operational records.

• Experienceoperatingin complex or safety-critical environments including National Highways and Network Rail (desirable).

• Full clean UK manual driving licence.

• Willingness to travel to project sites.

• Right to work in the UK.

• Proficiencywith Microsoft Office.

• Membership ofan appropriate professionalor aviation institution (desirable).

Key Attributes

• Safety-leddisciplinedand confident in stopping or restricting operations where standards are not met.

• Passionate about the UAS and geospatial industries.

• Self-motivated technically credible and committed to continuous improvement.

• Strong planningrecord-keepingand priority-management skills.

• Clear and authoritative communicator able to influence pilots project teamsclientsand regulators.

• Sound judgement and decisive risk-based decision-making under operational pressure.

• Commercial awareness with an understanding of programmebudgetand client requirements without compromising safety or compliance.

Benefits You Will Love

At Murphy Geospatial A Woolpert Company youll join a collaborative and innovative team where your expertise makes a real impact. Our benefits include:

• Competitive salary with a comprehensive benefits package aligned to your experience
• Access to cuttingedge geospatial technology and industryleading tools
• Flexible working options designed to support worklife balance
• Enhanced wellbeing support including employee assistance initiatives
• Opportunities within a growing globally connected organisation through our partnership with Woolpert
• Earn the opportunity to become an owner of the firm.
• Performancerelated bonus scheme that rewards your contribution

Equal Employment Opportunity

Woolpert is an equalopportunity employer committed to full inclusion of all individuals. We recruit train and promote without regard to protected characteristics. For more information see our EEO resources.

Applicants requiring accommodation during recruitment may contact

Agency Notice

Please do not contact any employee of Woolpert or its subsidiaries about this requisition. Agencies not engaged by the Woolpert Talent Acquisition Team will not be eligible for fee payment.

Required Experience:

Chief