Senior Base Pilot

About Draken

Draken provides critical adversarial support, electronic attack, and customized rotary-wing training, delivering advanced readiness solutions within the aviation industry. With a vast, differentiated fleet, cutting-edge hardware, and experienced instructors, Draken supports missions across the UK, US, and NATO countries, ensuring allies are prepared to prevail. The company believes that mission success is driven by its people, offering exciting and impactful careers.

The Opportunity

Draken is seeking a highly experienced Senior Base Pilot to report directly to the Fleet Captain. This pivotal role is responsible for ensuring the safe, legal, and efficient delivery of flight operations across various contracts and aircraft types. The Senior Base Pilot will drive operational excellence at both home base and detached locations, taking an active leadership role in compliance, operational standards, pilot oversight, and team development.

Key Responsibilities

Ensure the safe, legal, and efficient delivery of all flight operations across relevant contracts and aircraft types.
Comply with and support internal Flight Operations and CAA audit programmes, meeting required timelines for resolving NCRs.
Promote and maintain an open and honest reporting culture.
Ensure full compliance with all applicable legislation and company operating procedures across aircraft at the base.
Maintain accurate records in accordance with regulations and company operations manuals.
Work closely with the Flight Ops Compliance Manager to uphold all Flight Operations policies, procedures, and legislative requirements.
Oversee pilot currency and recency requirements for those under direct supervision.
Report operational, disciplinary, or performance issues to the Director of Flight Operations (DFO).
Manage the welfare, performance, and development of flight operations personnel through regular reviews and the PDR process.
Represent the DFO and company interests at the operating base and in relevant forums when required.
Perform the duties and responsibilities of a line captain.
Monitor and maintain the accuracy and currency of publications, manuals, and documents within the base and aircraft libraries.
Contribute to the development and production of Flight Operations procedures as required.
Allocate administrative duties and responsibilities to line crews to support operational and compliance activities.

Required Skills and Experience

Proven experience as a line captain or equivalent operational leadership role.
Strong understanding of flight operations compliance, safety management, and regulatory frameworks.
Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop flight crew.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to represent the company professionally.
High attention to detail with strong organisational capability.
Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a wider operational team.

Diversity, Inclusion, and Values

Draken is committed to eliminating unlawful and unfair discrimination, celebrating the differences a diverse workforce brings. A range of perspectives and talent supports company values and drives success, with a mix of voices generating better discussions, business decisions, and outcomes. Draken defines diversity as bringing your own perspective, inclusion as having a voice, and equality as having that voice heard.

Every member of the Draken team is accountable for ensuring fair and respectful treatment. Intolerance is condemned, and the company strives to create a culture where each person has the opportunity to succeed, grow, and work within an environment where they can be themselves.

As an Armed Forces friendly organisation, Draken welcomes applications from veterans, service spouses, and partners who meet the job specification criteria, in line with its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant. Furthermore, Draken adheres to Disability Confident Commitments, providing reasonable adjustments to facilitate the interview process. Candidates are encouraged to liaise with the company if any reasonable adjustments are required.