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

The Drone Operations Manager is accountable for the safe, efficient, and compliant delivery of DroneShield’s operational drone activities.

You will lead Drone Pilots, Maintenance, and Procurement/Logistics for all drone equipment, while working in close partnership with the Chief Remote Pilot (CRP) to ensure DroneShield maintains full regulatory compliance under CASA.
The CRP retains regulatory independence, but reports to this role for headcount and team alignment.

Responsibilities, Duties and Expectations 

Operational Leadership

• Own day‑to‑day planning, scheduling, and deployment of Drone Pilots across missions, demonstrations, field tasks, and customer activities.
• Maintain operational readiness: rosters, pilot currency, equipment allocation, pre‑task coordination, and on‑time execution.
• Implement safety practices and SOPs; ensure effective briefings, site risk controls, and post‑task debriefs.

People & Team Management

• Lead and develop pilots and operations support staff (coaching, performance management, training pathways).
• Line‑manage the CRP for HR and team purposes; collaborate with the CRP on pilot competency, operational guardrails, and regulatory standards.

Compliance & Governance (in partnership with the CRP)

• Ensure operations meet the standards and requirements defined by the CRP and align with DroneShield’s ReOC, operations manuals, and SOPs.
• Maintain accurate operational records (mission documentation, asset usage, pilot currency), supporting CRP‑led audits and regulatory reviews.
• Drive continuous improvement of operational processes, readiness metrics, and incident‑prevention practices.

Maintenance, Procurement & Logistics

• Oversee drone fleet readiness, Repair & Maintenance (R&M) schedules, and serviceability status with clear go/no‑go criteria.
• Work with Procurement to manage spares, consumables, and replacement cycles; maintain accurate asset registers.
• Ensure tool control, configuration control, and proper storage/transport of platforms, payloads, and batteries.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Coordinate with Sales/BD for demos, with Programs for delivery milestones, and with Engineering for configuration and documentation.
• Communicate operational status and risks clearly to leadership and resolve blockers quickly.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills 

Essential

• Proven leadership in UAS, aviation, defence, or high‑compliance field operations.
• Strong scheduling, logistics, and live‑ops coordination skills across concurrent tasks.
• Solid understanding of CASA RePL/ReOC (including CASR Part 101, subpart F), aviation SOPs, and practical risk management.
• Excellent communication; calm under pressure; decisive and hands‑on.

Desirable

• CASA RePL (or ability to obtain).
• Experience working with or alongside a CRP in a regulated environment.
• Experience overseeing maintenance or technical support teams.
• Defence, government, or critical‑infrastructure exposure.

Note for recruitment agencies: We do not accept unsolicited candidates from external recruiters unless specifically instructed.