RPAS Engineering and SORA Technical Officer

Role Purpose

The RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) Engineering and SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment) Technical Officer is responsible for ensuring that drone operations comply with regulatory safety requirements through robust risk assessment, validation and assurance processes. The role focuses on evaluating SORA submissions, supporting engineering teams, and ensuring safe integration of RPAS into airspace.

SORA Assessment and assurance

Review and assess SORA applications in line with European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) guidelines or relevant national aviation authorities
Validate Ground Risk Class (GRC) and Air Risk Class (ARC) determinations
Ensure mitigation measures meet required Specific Assurance and Integrity Levels (SAIL)
Provide recommendations for risk reduction strategies

Engineering and technical oversight

Work closely with RPAS engineering teams to ensure system design supports SORA compliance
Evaluate system safety features such as:
Detect and Avoid (DAA)
Command and Control (C2) link robustness
Fail-safe and redundancy systems
Assess operational concepts (ConOps) for safety and feasibility
Day to day Regulation support, integrations and capability requirements (i.e. into Commercial), independence to spt safety investigations
Lead on SORA technical (interface into RAE(F) etc)

Regulatory compliance

Ensure operations align with frameworks such as:
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidance
National Civil Aviation Authority requirements (e.g., Civil Aviation Authority in the UK)
Maintain awareness of evolving RPAS regulations and standards

Documentation and reporting

Produce assurance reports, compliance statements, and audit findings
Maintain traceability between hazards, mitigations, and operational approvals
Support regulatory submissions and approvals

Qualification and Experience

Essential

Bachelor’s or master’s degree (or demonstratable experience) in:

Aerospace Engineering
Systems Engineering
Aviation Safety or related field
Experience with RPAS/UAS operations or certification
Practical knowledge of SORA methodology
Background in aviation safety, risk assessment, or airworthiness

Strong understanding of:

Risk assessment frameworks
Safety management systems (SMS)
Airspace integration concepts

Key Skills

Essential

Analytical and problem-solving skills
Ability to interpret technical and regulatory documentation
Effective communication with both engineers and regulators

Desirable

Specific Operations Risk Assessment methodology in real-world approvals
Simulation tools for risk modelling
Operational authorisation processes

Due to the nature of elements of the role, the successful applicant must be a UK National and may be required to successfully complete National Security Vetting which may require criminal record, security service and credit reference checks; qualification will also normally require a minimum UK residency of at least 5 years.

Please ensure that you have upload an accompanying Cover Letter with your CV

Applications for this vacancy will close on 31 May 2026.

Apply for the role here

Eagle Eye Innovations reserves the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a large volumes of applications or if it identifies a suitable candidate.

Apply for Position

Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

28 days paid holiday plus 8 days bank holidays per year.
Company provided private medical and dental insurance.
Generous death in service (3 x salary).
Company contributions into a group personal pension scheme.
Company contributions into a salary sacrifice pension scheme.
Business travel insurance.
Funded role specific training and financial assistance with professional development.
Tax efficient cycle to work scheme.
Tax efficient electric vehicle company car salary sacrifice
leasing scheme (upon successful completion of probation).
High street discounts scheme

Accreditations

Observers Course

Our new 1-day Observers course is designed to expand your RPAS crewing capabilities and de-risk more complex operations through the provision of professionally qualified RPAS safety observers. Utilising proven aviation standards and procedures, our professional and
experienced instructors will guide you through the fundamentals of Crew Resource Management, crew communications, RPAS control and coordination and give you the practical experience you need to maximise the benefits of your RPAS for VLOS operations and beyond.

GVC to RPC-L1 Conversion

If you hold a valid GVC and want to convert to an RPC-L1 qualification in the same category of UAS, under the CAA you are exempt from conducting the theory elements of the course and may progress directly to the practical elements. Therefore, you simply need to book
onto either our conversion course or the practical days of a full RPC-L1 course (provided there is capacity to fit you in). This will provide you with the minimum of 2-hours flight instruction before you attempt the flight assessment. Proof of GVC validity will be required prior to conducting the training.

Bridging Course

This course is designed to qualify you in either Rotorcraft or Aeroplane, noting that you only need to conduct the practical aspects of the course, provided you have successfully passed the full Level 1 course in the other discipline.

(Please note this does not include conversion onto our DeltaQuad platform; that is a bespoke course in its own right).