Drone Pilot (AU) in Sydney, New South Wales at DroneShield Group Pty Ltd

Work with cutting edge AI technology, making the world a safer and more secure place. DroneShield (ASX:DRO) offers an opportunity to solve some of world’s most challenging technical problems in the rapidly growing counter-drone sector.

Our customers operate in some of the most challenging and high-stakes environments in the world, including military organisations, government agencies, airports, critical infrastructure operators, and law enforcement. Protecting airspace in these settings requires technology that performs under pressure and teams that understand what’s at stake. At DroneShield, employees work at the leading edge of counter-drone innovation, helping to address real-world security challenges as drone threats continue to evolve globally.

With one of the largest listed defence company market capitalisations in Australia, now part of the ASX200 index, DroneShield is experiencing a period of hypergrowth. Revenue has surged from A$57 million in 2024 to over A$217 million in 2025, representing growth of more than 400% year-on-year, with record profitability and cashflow. The total addressable global market for counter-drone is assessed at approximately $100 billion, and is currently at the nascent stage with much of the growth still to come, with DroneShield well positioned as a global market leader, and the only public listed pure-play business in this sector.

The company has grown from 11 employees in 2017 to over 450 staff globally today, and is on track to reach around 550 by the end of 2026. This expansion includes investment of over A$50 million annually in R&D, a global pipeline exceeding A$2.5 billion, and continuous scaling of production capacity to meet accelerating demand.

The role is based at DroneShield’s central Sydney headquarters. Overseas on-the-ground presence includes Virginia (USA), Netherlands, Denmark, Mexico and Dubai, as well as distributors in over 70 countries worldwide.

About the role
DroneShield is seeking an experienced and highly capable individual to join the Sydney-based Drone Pilot team. This role plays a critical part in supporting DroneShield’s engineering, testing, and demonstration activities across New South Wales.

You will operate a wide variety of commercial, enterprise, defence, and custom-built drones in real-world conditions to support data capture, system testing and evaluation, and live customer demonstrations. The role also contributes to developing and improving internal flight processes, systems, and operational standards.

Responsibilities, Duties and Expectations

• Plan, conduct, and support RPA flight operations to a high standard of safety, quality, and efficiency.
• Travel regularly and stay overnight for field testing, evaluations, data capture exercises, and demonstrations.
• Learn to fly, configure, and troubleshoot a very large number of drone platforms covering defence, enterprise, commercial, and custom RPA.
• Learn to operate and support a broad range of RPA types, including multirotor, helicopter, aeroplane, and VTOL platforms (250 g to 50+ kg).
• Configure and manage diverse video, telemetry, and RF transmission systems.
• Pack, transport, deploy, and recover drones, emitters, and supporting field equipment.
• Work closely with engineering and technical teams to deliver complex flight requirements.
• Engage professionally with internal and external stakeholders, including customers and partners.
• Maintain clean, organised, and mission-ready aircraft, equipment, vehicles, and workspaces.
• Develop, follow, and continuously improve processes, checklists, and protocols.
• Take ownership of responsibilities and proactively resolve technical and operational challenges.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills

Essential:

• RePL (Remote Pilot Licence).
• Experience working in dynamic, fast‑paced outdoor environments.
• Willingness to learn constantly evolving new technologies.
• Hands-on experience with electronic and mechanical systems.
• Strong technical troubleshooting skills under field conditions.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks and projects.
• High personal accountability, strong work ethic, and adaptability.

Desirable:

• RPA Aeroplane, RPA Powered-lift, RPA Single-rotor Helicopter, BVLOS OCTA/IREX endorsements.
• Experience building, maintaining, and repairing FPV and model aircraft (fixed-wing, multirotor, helicopter, glider).
• Strong working knowledge of flight control systems and configurators (e.g. Betaflight, INAV, ArduPilot).
• Experience in drone racing, including tuning and performance optimisation.
• Proficiency with hobby radios, video, and telemetry systems.
• Education in engineering or a technical discipline (or equivalent practical experience).
• Experience supporting live product demonstrations.
• Strong background in electronics and mechanical systems.

Note for recruitment agencies: we do not accept floated candidates from external recruiters unless they were instructed to do so.