UAV Operator

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and analyse RPAS flight missions across diverse projects in alignment with company standards, regulatory requirements, and client expectations.
• Conduct RPAS mapping and aerial seeding operations throughout the MENA region, with a strong emphasis on safety, compliance, and environmental restoration impact.
• Manage all aspects of flight planning, including meteorological assessments, system preparations, and airspace coordination, ensuring regulatory compliance and operational excellence.
• Operate powered lift and multirotor aircraft (up to 50kg) safely in remote and high-risk environments, contributing to innovative applications of UAV technology in restoration and land management.
• Collaborate with the Flight Operations Manager and cross-functional teams to ensure seamless project delivery and continuous improvement in field operations.
• Coordinate with engineering teams to support system maintenance and contribute to the development and testing of new technologies.
• Support post-operation processes, including secure data transfer, accurate documentation, and generation of flight reports to inform system refinements.
• Participate in internal flight operations audits, providing insight into risks, impacts, and opportunities for continual process optimisation.
• Assist in securing necessary flight permits, and engage in reconnaissance missions to identify operational area access requirements in collaboration with project and government relations teams.
• Maintain detailed and timely reporting to ensure operational transparency and data quality, including contributions to Dendra’s Data Center and project archives.
• Support logistics planning and deployment schedules, working closely with the Flight Operations Manager to prepare for and execute missions effectively.
• Provide ongoing support to other field operations and company departments as needed to foster a collaborative and high-performance work culture.

Requirements

Core Competencies

• Strong planning skills with adaptability to field conditions and challenges
• Proactive, innovative problem-solving
• Strong site management, safety-first mindset
• High attention to detail and organisational skills
• Effective remote teamwork ability
• Enthusiastic with willingness to learn fast

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

• Excellent oral/written English; Arabic desirable
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement
• Proven ability to maintain high-performing relationships

Technical Knowledge & Experience

• UAV flight operations and safety protocols
• Knowledge of UAE/MENA aviation legislation
• Aerial survey/photogrammetry experience
• UAV sensor technology understanding
• Platform mapping requirements
• Flight planning software (e.g., AVCRM) and logging
• High-safety/compliance operations experience

Operational & Physical Requirements

• Manually handle heavy equipment/seed bags
• Willing to deploy to remote sites, sometimes for extended periods
• International travel for up to 2 weeks for training/onboarding

Qualifications & Licence Requirements

• Remote Pilot License (RPL)
• Aeronautical Radio Operators Certificate (AROC) or equivalent
• Current RPAS Commercial Pilot License, ideally UAE experience
• Unrestricted UAE Driver’s License
• Ability to meet required medical and BAC standards
• Valid passport (6+ months)
• Right to work in UAE and MENA

Benefits

• Share Options
• 25 days annual leave plus public holidays
• Comprehensive Private Health Insurance
• Incentive performance bonus (up to 10% of basic salary)
• Gratuity included
• Housing and Transport allowances in salary package

About the Company

Since 2014, we've been harnessing the power of tech and AI to transform the management, protection and restoration of large-scale ecosystems - from mines to mangroves.

We're a truly international team, consisting of ecologists, engineers, data scientists, developers, drone pilots and more. Together, we're united by one mission - to empower teams to restore balance to the natural world by combining the best of technology, science and people.