About the role
The mission of this role is to lead the company’s Quality Management System and ensure compliance with applicable regulatory and statutory requirements related to UAV operations and development, including the management of flight authorisations and certifications with aviation authorities.
The role acts as the primary liaison with regulatory authorities and certification bodies, ensuring airworthiness, regulatory compliance, and full documentary traceability across both civil and military environments.
This role is based in San Sebastián de los Reyes (Madrid) and requires regular on-site presence. Candidates should either be currently based in the Madrid area or willing to relocate. Native-level Spanish is essential due to the technical and regulatory nature of the work. Applicants must already have the legal right to work in Spain.
Required Education
* Degree in Aeronautical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or Telecommunications Engineering.
* Specific training in: Quality Management Systems, Aeronautical Certification, Applicable EASA UAS Regulations.
* Valued: ISO 9001 / 9100 Auditor qualification, specific training in SORA, training in military or defense regulations.
Required Experience
* Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in engineering environments.
* At least 5 years in a similar position within aeronautical companies, UAV/UAS manufacturers, or specialized aeronautical consulting firms.
Key Responsibilities
1. Quality System Management
* Implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the management system in accordance with ISO 9001 and/or 9100.
* Management of internal and external audits.
* Management of Non-Conformance Reports (NCR), Corrective Action Requests (CAR), and Corrective Action Evaluations (CAE).
* Document control and traceability.
* Coordination with Engineering and Operations to ensure regulatory compliance from the design phase.
2. Certification and Regulatory Compliance
* Management of operational authorizations under European UAS regulations: Specific category operations, SORA dossiers, PDRA.
* Liaison with AESA and other authorities.
* Management of BLOS authorizations.
* Support in product certification processes when applicable.
* Monitoring of EASA regulatory changes.
3. Flight Authorizations and Operations
* Preparation and processing of operational authorizations, responsible declarations, and documentation for specific operations.
* Coordination with the Engineering team to ensure regulatory compliance.
* Management and documentary oversight of operational manuals.
4. Military / Defense Environment
* Management of CAEs and CARs in programs with military requirements.
* Coordination with certification bodies in the defense environment.
* Ensuring compliance with contractual quality requirements in military programs.
Key Technical Knowledge
European UAS regulations (Regulations (EU) 2019/947 and 2019/945).
SORA methodology.
PDRA.
BLOS operations.
ISO 9001 system management.
EN 9100 desirable.
Desirable experience with LUC (Light UAS Operator Certificate) and Design
Verification Review (DVR).
Operational risk management.
Document management in regulated environments.
Key Competencies
Spanish: Native level
English: minimum C1
Strong ability to liaise with authorities
Technical rigor and regulatory orientation
Strong documentation structuring capability
Autonomy
Continuous improvement mindset
Ability to work in a startup / scaling technology environment