Flight Test Operations Manager (Defence)

TL;DR

Flight Test Operations Manager (Defence): Planning and executing end-to-end flight test campaigns for unmanned autonomous systems with an accent on operational leadership and regulatory coordination. Focus on managing field teams, ensuring flight safety, and coordinating with international aviation authorities and military ranges.

Location: Munich, Germany (Requires deployment to test ranges across Europe)

Company

hirify.global is a defence technology company developing high-performance, software-defined unmanned systems to bolster the technological edge of NATO Allies.

What you will do

• Plan and execute 1–2 week flight test campaigns across Europe, managing everything from initial scoping to post-campaign reporting.
• Act as the on-site operational authority, making real-time decisions on scheduling, sequencing, and resource allocation.
• Directly manage a core team of 6–8 flight test personnel and coordinate up to 20 people on-site.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for national aviation authorities, military stakeholders, and airspace management agencies.
• Coordinate range access, airspace reservations, NOTAMs, and communication plans.

Requirements

• 3–6 years of experience in flight operations, UAS operations, military aviation, or operational project management in a technical environment.
• Proven experience managing teams of 4+ people in field or deployed settings.
• Strong familiarity with flight safety principles, risk assessment, and emergency procedures.
• English: Business-fluent required.
• Ability to travel and deploy to test ranges across multiple countries in Europe.

Nice to have

• Experience coordinating with military test ranges or airspace management agencies.
• Background in UAS/drone flight test or experimental aviation.
• Familiarity with EASA regulations, military airworthiness frameworks, or SORA methodology.
• Proficiency in German.

Culture & Benefits

• Hands-on leadership role at the intersection of project management and high-stakes flight operations.
• Dynamic environment requiring calm decision-making under pressure and proactive problem-solving.
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge autonomous systems in the defence sector.
• Collaborative, disciplined, yet adaptive team culture.