RPAS Accountable Manager & Operations Team Leader

Overview

Business Unit: Cubic Defense Company Details: When you join Cubic, you become part of a company that creates and delivers technology solutions in transportation to make people's lives easier by simplifying their daily journeys, and defence capabilities to help promote mission success and safety for those who serve their nation. Led by our talented teams around the world, Cubic is committed to solving global issues through innovation and service to our customers and partners. We have a top tier portfolio of businesses, including Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS) and Cubic Defense (CD). Explore more on

Role Summary

The RPAS Accountable Manager (AM) is the CDUK single point of accountability to the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for all Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) operations conducted under the Specific Category, including PDRA01 and BVLOS activities. The post holder receives objective based assignments aligned to business and regulatory outcomes and determines the resources, structures, and operational processes required to meet agreed schedules, safety targets, and commercial goals. The AM holds overall responsibility for ensuring that RPAS operations are safe, compliant, adequately resourced, and conducted in accordance with the approved Operations Manual, Safety Management System (SMS), and applicable CAA permissions. In addition, the role provides operational leadership for commercial RPAS delivery and training activities across CDUK programmes. The role has two main aspects: office based planning, governance, and assurance; and field based delivery and operational oversight. This requires UK and overseas travel and irregular hours in support of live operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Accountable to the CDUK Management Team for compliance with UK ANO 2016 (as amended), UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (retained), PDRA01/OSC operational requirements.
• Ensure the organisation has sufficient personnel, equipment, funding, and systems to conduct RPAS operations safely.
• Approve and maintain the Operations Manual for PDRA01 and Operational Safety Case for BVLOS.
• Establish, maintain, and continuously improve an effective Safety Management System (SMS) proportionate to PDRA01 / BVLOS risk.
• Ensure hazards are identified, risks are assessed and mitigated, and safety occurrences are reported and investigated.
• Act as the primary interface with the CAA for all RPAS regulatory matters, audits, and oversight activities.
• Provide operational oversight of all commercial RPAS activities.
• Ensure all operations conducted under PDRA01/OSC remain within defined operational limitations.
• Liaise with Training Area Air Operations to understand requirements, restrictions and book airspace.
• Liaise with Authority (Military Customer) to understand current military capabilities and doctrine.
• Understand delivery requirements of planned supported activity, giving advice on CDUK capabilities where needed.
• Lead and manage RPAS delivery teams, including pilots, support staff and specialist contractors, including competency, currency, training and authorisation.
• Coordinate UK and overseas deployments, ensuring compliance with host nation UAS regulations and equipment movement requirements.
• Oversee RPAS platform selection, maintenance oversight and lifecycle management.
• Advise senior management and programme teams on RPAS regulatory compliance, safe system of work for drone operations and integration of RPAS into wider land, training, Joint Fires and ISTAR activities.

Minimum Requirements

• Demonstrable experience as a senior RPAS operational lead or Accountable Manager.
• Proven delivery under CAA Specific Category (PDRA01 and/or BVLOS desirable).
• Strong working knowledge of UK RPAS regulatory framework and SMS principles.
• GVC Certified RPAS pilot (essential).
• Experience managing multi disciplinary operational teams.
• Experience with operational budgeting and governance frameworks.
• Military aviation or Defence Collective Training background advantageous.

Recommended Background & Experience

• Typically 8+ years relevant operational experience with a Bachelor's degree or equivalent (desirable).
• Demonstrated leadership across multiple operational sections or disciplines.
• Experience translating regulatory objectives into operational processes.

Personal Qualities

• Self motivated, proactive, and able to work with minimal supervision.
• Strong relationship building and influencing skills.
• Effective communicator with stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to lead teams and quickly acquire new skills.
• Willingness to travel.

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