Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) - Project Leader

Role Overview

SkyDrive are looking for a passionate and talented Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) Project Leader for the Air Mobility Division. The role requires a high-level of flexibility and practical passion for new technologies, whilst demonstrating strong leadership to achieve program objectives and help SkyDrive deliver a range of certified eVTOLs into the Advanced Air Mobility eco-system.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the RPAS team success and requires excellent interpersonal skills (in a multilingual environment), strong work ethic, effective man-management, and a decisive action focused mindset. The role will cover remote control systems for unmanned/drone and manned aircraft. 

Responsibilities

Execute all RPAS work as defined in project plans, ensuring on-time delivery within budget. Ensure project risks are adequately identified, mitigated and communicated.
Ensure successful integration of all RPAS elements with dependant aircraft systems and operations.
Effectively delegate work across a small technical team and ensure members are adequately supported to deliver their assigned tasks effectively. Provide man-management support and leadership.
Work with lead engineer to oversee technical aspects of the project and aim for the highest possible level of safety and performance within schedule limitations.
Communicate effectively with all stakeholders (internal and external) to ensure everyone is in the loop and dependencies don’t cause any blockers to any teams.
Provide support to design team across all sub-system and component development. Support in identifying and removing blockers.
Oversee and take responsibility for effective execution of all RPAS V&V (validation and verification) activities using a combination of simulation, unit/rig testing, iron bird integration and ground/flight test.
Deliver all required RPAS documentation to support flight permit approvals, system understanding to stakeholders, safety analysis, requirements management and pilot/operator education.
Work closely with safety and flight test to ensure the robust capture and mitigation of test and demonstration hazards.
Work within RPAS team and others to update and maintain aircraft Concept of Operations and Operating Procedures.
Approval of all RPAS documentation (specifications, test plans/procedures/reports, interface control documents etc).
Support RPAS in conducting tasks with framework of aerospace recommended practices (ARP4754, ARP4761 etc).
Coordinate RPAS installation and configuration management (e.g. CATIA drawings, PLM data entry etc).

Essential

Demonstrated management of teams in delivering complex aerospace engineering systems.  
Minimum of 3 years in technical leadership role within aerospace or related field, working with RPAS or equivalent system.
Solid engineering skills and understanding of principles to ensure successful execution.
Natural leadership abilities with effective communication within and across teams. Interrogatory mindset to uncover risks and take responsibility for finding mitigations and solutions.
Deep understanding of aerospace design and testing methods, and familiarity with all associated documentation.
Managed projects in a PM software environment and familiar with common PM methodologies (agile, waterfall etc). 
BSc or MSc in Engineering (aerospace, electrical, mechanical or equivalent).
Software skills (following or equivalent): general office skills (MS Office, Gdocs), configuration tools (e.g. TeamCenter or equivalent), requirements management tools (e.g. DOORS or equivalent).
Business level English.

Desirable

Worked in a RPAS integration environment (or equivalent) and involvement across the product lifecycle.
Drone pilot skills and certification / license.
Experienced formal design/production reviews (e.g. PDR, CDR, PRR or equivalent).
Experience with practical implementation of ARP4754 and safety assessment/analysis techniques (e.g. ARP4761).
Worked on crewed aircraft within a certification environment. 
Taken responsibility to propose safety strategies to regulators for flight permission using RPAS.
Demonstrated ability to build positive relationships in a multilingual environment.
Business level Japanese.