UAV Pilot/Technician

Destinus · Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland

Full Time
Apply on DestinusPosted 3 days agoConfirmed still open

About the Role

Imagine this – you’re standing on a runway at sunrise, a sleek UAV beside you, its systems humming as you run your checks. In minutes, you’ll be piloting it across borders, capturing critical data, and pushing the limits of what’s possible in modern aerospace. At Destinus, your work won’t just be flying drones – it will be shaping the future of defense, exploration, and connectivity.

At Destinus, we are revolutionizing the defense industry with cutting-edge Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Our innovative technologies are designed to meet the unique demands of modern defense operations, delivering unparalleled speed, precision, and cost effectiveness. Destinus partners with government agencies and defense organizations worldwide to provide advanced solutions for mission-critical operations, enabling a new era of efficiency and technological superiority. Join us in shaping the future of defense with groundbreaking aerospace innovations.

What You´ll Do

You will be at the controls and behind the scenes of high-stakes UAV operations, taking ownership of every phase of the mission, including

  • Conducting pre-flight planning including airspace coordination, weather assessment, and risk analysis
  • Performing launch, flight, and recovery of UAVs in manual, assisted, or autonomous modes
  • Operating EO/IR and visual seeker payloads for surveillance, mapping, and tracking
  • Ensuring flight safety and regulatory compliance in all operational areas (VLOS and BVLOS)
  • Maintaining accurate flight logs, checklists, and system records
  • Conducting routine UAV maintenance, troubleshooting, and field repairs
  • Collaborating with mission planners, data analysts, and engineering teams
  • Providing technical input to improve UAV systems and mission workflows
  • Traveling internationally for training, test flights, and demonstrations — including Safe Zones in Ukraine
  • Being stationed in multiple operational bases including NL, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, and Safe Zones in Ukraine
  • Staying abroad for extended periods when required
  • Understanding UAV systems and their communication architecture

Requirements

What You´ll Need

To excel in this role, you bring

  • At least 3 years of experience piloting UAVs (manual and autonomous)
  • UAV flight certifications A1 – A3 A2 and Specific
  • Proven operational experience in reconnaissance or surveillance missions
  • Strong knowledge of UAV avionics, telemetry, electronics, and ground control stations
  • Familiarity with European airspace regulations
  • Ability to work in remote, offshore, or expeditionary environments
  • Strong situational awareness, communication skills, and a safety-first mindset
  • Fluency in English with proficiency in French, Spanish, or German a plus

Who You Are

You thrive in unpredictable environments where adaptability is key. When challenges arise, you see opportunities to innovate and improve. You’re equally comfortable piloting under pressure and repairing equipment in the field. You value precision, safety, and efficiency in every mission. You’re resourceful, autonomous, and relentless in pursuit of mission success.

Apply on Destinus

Listing sourced from the employer's careers page. Applications are handled by Destinus.

Similar defence and national security jobs

Ranked by how much they share with this one, not by how recent they are.

Destinus · Zürich, Zurich

Imagine this... You’re standing in a hangar surrounded by tomorrow’s technology—hydrogen powered UAVs that move faster than sound and operate just shy of space. As a UAV Avionics and Systems Engineer , you’re not here to follow the manual. You write the manual.

Engineering14 days ago

ICEYE · Espoo

As an AOCS Engineer, you'll bring attitude and orbit control expertise to a constellation of 40+ Earth observation satellites. You'll work across the full AOCS lifecycle, from design through on orbit maintenance, analyzing performance, defining verification procedures, and…

RemoteJuniorEngineering2 days ago

Leonardo · IT

Leonardo is an international industrial group and a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security, delivering multi domain technological capabilities across the sectors of helicopters, aircraft, aerostructures, electronics, cybersecurity, and space.

JuniorEngineering8 days ago

Leonardo · GB

Leonardo UK operates a grade based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market.

LeadEngineering16 days ago

Airbus Defence and Space · Getafe

A position for a Low Observability (LO) Engineer has arisen within Airbus Defence and Space in Getafe (Madrid). The successful applicant will join the LO Engineering Spain Department.

Engineeringlast month

Get these by email

One email when there is something new on Defence Careers. No account, no CV, no recruiters.

We only use it for this alert, and every email unsubscribes in one click.