Command Unit Operator

At Malloy Aeronautics, we're on a mission to revolutionise uncrewed flight. We develop advanced heavy-lift UAVs for both defence and commercial applications.

What sets us apart is our in-house approach. From design and engineering to manufacturing and testing, the majority of our work happens under one roof in Berkshire, allowing us to innovate quickly, maintain exceptional quality, and bring ideas to life faster.

For our teams, that means hands-on involvement, real ownership, and the opportunity to help shape the future of uncrewed aviation.

Role Summary

Acting as a Control Unit Operator (CUO), you will support the preparation and execution of UAV flight operations across both prototype and production platforms. You will be responsible for configuring aircraft systems, charging and managing batteries, preparing ground equipment, and ensuring readiness for safe deployment. You'll monitor aircraft performance in-flight, design autonomous flight profiles, and handle post-flight data logging to support system validation and delivery readiness. Collaborating with flight test engineers and production teams, you'll troubleshoot issues and verify system functionality.

Ability to hold Security Clearance – 5 years residence in the UK

What you’ll be doing (but not limited to):

Operates UAV command unit interfaces (GCS, telemetry, tracking) and provides live feedback to remote Pilots regarding flight operation validating expected performance and identify anomalies. Attend trials and supports demo flights with potential customers on and off site (UK and abroad) Support root cause analysis of test failures or performance issues by correlating flight logs, sensor data, and pilot input Prepare and configure UAV platforms for flight testing, telemetry, and system calibration Support the execution of flight test plans in collaboration with Pilots, engineers, and operations teams Collect and download flight data using tools such as log viewers, MissionPlanner, QGroundControl or custom scripts Assist in planning test events, and setting up ground control equipment and test instrumentation, which may involve liaising with engineers and technicians Conduct post-flight reviews, document results, and support the generation of structured flight test reports Contribute to the continuous improvement of test procedures, flight readiness checks, and data validation methods Ensure all test activities comply with safety standards, operational protocols, and relevant regulatory guidelines

Essential Skills and Experiences:

Team-oriented, with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, field-based environment Quick learner 1–4 years in UAV GCS, telemetry, or IT systems Basic understanding of UAV flight dynamics, subsystems (e.g. propulsion, flight control, telemetry), and test instrumentation Hands-on ability to perform field repairs, and basic system troubleshooting Strong technical communication and documentation skills for writing test reports and feedback summaries Detail-oriented and safety-conscious, with a methodical approach to test and flying execution Good organisation skills including adaptive planning Very safety conscious around aircraft and batteries