Sr. Manager/Autonomous Mobility

This role demands an operations Manager with proven, hands-on delivery experience in drone and robotics operations. The ideal candidate is actively involved in daily field activities, working closely alongside pilots and technical teams to ensure seamless execution of missions. Their responsibilities extend beyond strategic oversight to direct participation in operational workflows, troubleshooting, and deployment, guaranteeing that all projects meet safety, quality, and regulatory standards. The candidate must demonstrate a strong track record of managing complex operations in challenging environments, particularly within the oil and gas sector and confined space applications.

Additionally, the candidate should possess extensive experience in underwater operations utilizing Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), as well as underground pipe inspections with robotic crawlers. A deep understanding of drone operations across various platforms—including multirotor, fixed wing, VTOL, and helicopter UAVs—is essential, covering a wide range of industry applications. This comprehensive expertise enables the Operations Manager to deliver innovative solutions, optimize operational efficiency, and maintain high standards of safety and reliability across all autonomous mobility projects.

Furthermore, this role requires a candidate who is directly involved in data processing and analysis, ensuring that operational outputs translate into actionable insights for clients and stakeholders. The ideal candidate must possess a comprehensive understanding of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) inspection methodologies, particularly as applied to oil and gas infrastructure. This includes familiarity with advanced sensor technologies, data acquisition techniques, and interpretation of inspection results to support asset integrity and maintenance strategies.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate expertise in photogrammetry for land surveys, construction monitoring, and volumetric assessments, as well as advanced 3D data processing and point cloud management for digital twin creation and asset modelling. Proficiency in handling large datasets, utilizing specialized software for data processing, and delivering high-quality, accurate outputs is essential. The Operations Manager should be capable of integrating data from various sources, ensuring consistency and reliability, and providing technical guidance to teams on best practices for data collection, processing, and reporting across all autonomous mobility operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage daily operations for drones and robotics, including scheduling, deployment, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

• Develop and implement operational strategies, policies, and procedures to optimize performance, safety, and regulatory compliance.

• Coordinate with internal stakeholders (engineering, IT, compliance, legal, and business units) to ensure seamless integration of autonomous mobility solutions.

• Monitor and analyse operational metrics, generate reports, and recommend improvements for efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

• Oversee partner relationships, procurement, and contract management for equipment, software, and services related to drones and robotics.

• Ensure all operations adhere to local and international regulations, including aviation and robotics standards, and maintain up-to-date documentation.

• Lead incident response and risk management activities, including root cause analysis and corrective action planning.

• Manage and mentor a team of operations specialists, technicians, and support staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.

• Drive innovation by evaluating emerging technologies and recommending adoption where appropriate.

• Support business development activities by providing operational insights, feasibility studies, and technical input for proposals and projects.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of hands-on experience in drones and robotics operations and operations management, with proven delivery across the GCC region.

• Extensive knowledge of drone and robotics technologies, including platform selection, payload integration, and mission-specific deployment.

• Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks and safety standards applicable to drone and robotics operations in the UAE and internationally.

• Certified for Multirotor and Fixed Wing drone operations, demonstrating advanced piloting and operational skills.

• Proven track record in managing large-scale, complex operations and leading cross-functional teams in diverse environments.

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills, ensuring operational efficiency and continuous improvement.

• Effective communication and stakeholder management abilities, facilitating collaboration with internal teams, clients, and regulatory bodies.

• Experience with procurement, vendor management, and contract negotiation to support operational requirements and maintain supply chain integrity.

• Additional certifications in drone operations or robotics from recognized OEMs or training organizations (desirable).

Key Competencies:

• Operational experience in Oil and Gas, Construction, Environmental Applications, and Utilities sectors.

• Minimum 700 hours of proven flight time, supported by a certified commercial pilot license in the UAE.

• Oil and Gas HSE, SCBA Training Certificate by authorized training body.

• Certification in Multirotor by ATO or OEM.

• Certified ROV operator by OEM.

• Certified VTOL operator by OEM.

• Certified Helicopter operator by OEM.

• Proficiency in industry-standard software, including: Agisoft Metashape, Esri, DJI Terra, Pix4D, OPTELOS, Drone Logbook, and DJI Flight Hub, Flyability Inspector, Inspector Cloud, Propeller Aero, Drone Deploy, QGIS, Bentley Context Capture.

• Intricate knowledge of ISO 9001 processes for drone operations, with experience from a certified drone operations entity.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills, enabling effective teamwork and knowledge sharing across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.

• Ability to deliver high-quality, compliant, and innovative autonomous mobility solutions through a process-driven approach and technical proficiency.