Head of Validations & Test Flight Operations

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The Head of Validation and Test Flight Operations at West Wales is a new position within the recently created Tekever Defence Business Unit.

Tekever Defence is responsible for the development and delivery of Tekevers capability offering to the Defence market. The Tekever Defence Business Unit is split into six main departments Engineering, Capability, Futures, Operations, Delivery and BD & Commercial.

The West Wales site is an integral part of Tekever Defence Business, as part of the new Defence Engineering division. The divisions core role is to work alongside the wider Tekever enterprise to design and manufacture new and innovative capabilities that address critical needs for NATO Defence markets.

As first and foremost a technology company, Tekever invests its own resources to develop new products for the defence market that are offered on a COTs or MOTs basis. The division is planned to be co-located between West Wales and Bath.

The West Wales site provides Tekever Defence with the capability to customise and modify platforms to meet specific customer requirements and undertake live flight tests and demonstrations within segregated airspace.

The site comprises five primary teams; Composites Production, Integration and Repair, Research and Development; Validation and Test Flight Operations and Support.

As the head of the Validation and Test Flight Operations Team, you will be responsible for the planning and execution of validation, test and demonstration flights at our site in West Wales and ensuring the delivery of airworthy aircraft to our customers and internal operations. You will be responsible for leading a small team of validation and test flight UAV operators, optimizing workflows, and addressing any operational issues to achieve departmental goals as well as contributing to the overall leadership of the West Wales site.

Primary Responsibilities:

- Leadership

• Provide leadership and direction for the Validation and Test Flight Operations Function;
• Lead, mentor and develop a small team of UAV operators, ensuring alignment with company goals and project objectives;
• Foster a high-performance work environment that encourages collaboration, communication and problem solving;
• Proactively contribute to the wider leadership and operation of the WWA Site;
• Undertake additional duties as required by the business.

- Validation and Test Flight Operations Oversight

• Oversee the planning, scheduling and delivery of validation and test flight operations activities to ensure efficient workflow and timely delivery of products;
• Implement and maintain quality control measures to ensure that all flight operations meet specifications and industry standards;
• Identify and mitigate risks to flight operations activities, facilitating problem solving and decision-making processes;
• Support the central Tekever Defence Operations team in the delivery of operational, test and demonstration flights as required;
• Monitor and control flight operation resources and costs.

- Process Improvement

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the flight operations processes, utilising metrics and feedback to enhance team performance;
• Collaborate with engineering and integration and repair teams to provide feedback on system performance and suggest improvements based on flight experiences.

- Health & Safety:

• Ensure compliance with safety regulations, company policies and industry standards throughout all flight operation activities.

- Reporting:

o Maintain accurate records and documentation of validation and test flights as required

• Provide regular reports to the wider Tekever Team on validation and flight test performance including providing feedback to engineering and composite production teams on platform performance.

This is a wide-reaching role with a high degree of autonomy and authority. You will be entrusted and empowered to deliver and will need to be comfortable working in a highly demanding environment. Above all you will need to be an innovative thinker you will have a passion for solving problems and a drive to see your ideas to fruition. You will also be a fast learner and need to quickly develop and champion a comprehensive understanding of Tekevers core technologies and products.

You will have a proven track record in planning and executing flight operations. You will have a strong understanding of UAV validation and testing processes, team management and will foster a people centric approach that balances agility and systematic rigour. A technical education at degree level will be a benefit but not essential; critical however is your ability to quickly build a strong team with a powerful ethos.

Whilst the role will be situated within West Wales, you may also expected to travel to other locations in the UK, Portugal and Europe.

Essential Competencies:

• A strong, proven background with experience in UAV operation;
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and guide a team toward achieving targets;
• Aviation knowledge including Ground School and live flying on any type of aircraft.
• Understanding of MET and Airspace.
• A1 and A3 certificates
• Good level of Maths & Physics.
• High level of situational awareness.
• High standards for quality control and a meticulous approach to ensuring processes are followed;
• Strong understanding of all relevant regulations;
• Clear and concise communication skills for liaising with team members, management, and other departments and proven experience of cultivating a great work environment;

It would be great if you could demonstrate any of the following:

• Pilot License (LAPL/PPL/HPLetc).
• MALE/HALE UAS Platform Certified (H900/H450/WK/MQ) or MUAS Certified (Puma/DH3/Raven).
• Flight Radiotelephony Operating License.
• Flown MUAS/MALE platforms.
• Military flying including instructional duties.
• Overseas Operational flying experience.
• Multiple years experience flying UAS.
• Multiple UAS Deployments.
• A2 Certificate of Competence.
• UAS Industry Knowledge (Aircraft/Sensors/Systems).

If the above excites you then we can offer an attractive salary package and pension scheme. We will give you an annual leave allowance of 25 days plus Bank Holidays and we have an employee assistance programme to support you should you need it.

As an Armed Forces friendly company we will guarantee an interview to all applicants from the Armed Forces community (serving, veterans, and forces family members) as long as the essential criteria of the role is met.

Location: To be part of a world class UAV provider, you will be required to travel around the world.

APPLICATION PROCESS: please apply and include your CV along with a covering letter. We would like to hear why you believe you would be a good fit for this role, along with highlighting any relevant experience and skills for the position. You will be invited for an interview if your CV has been shortlisted for the position.

SECURITY: SC Clearance would be required at a minimum. DV Clearance a nice to have. Tekever will be able to help through the process if required.

Type of Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

• Company pension;
• Sick pay;
• Wellness programme;
• Pension Contribution.

Supplemental pay types:

• Performance bonus.

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required).

Willingness to travel:

• 50% (required).

Work Location:

• UK, Portugal, US, Europe.

If you are ready to embrace this exciting journey, send us your application! ‍

• Seniority Level

  Mid-Senior level

• Industry

  • Information Technology & Services
  • Defense and Space Manufacturing

• Employment Type

  Full-time

• Job Functions

  • Quality Assurance
  • Other
  • Manufacturing

• Skills

  • Demonstration
  • Defense
  • Situational Awareness
  • Flights
  • Product Demonstration