Unmanned Aircraft Systems – Contract Assessor

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) – Contracted Technical Assessor

Location: Remote (UK-based) with UK and potential international travel
Contract Type: Independent Contractor

About UKAS

UKAS is the UK’s National Accreditation Body, recognised by government to assess and accredit organisations that provide certification, testing, inspection, calibration and verification services. Our work underpins confidence in conformity assessment across the UK and internationally.

We are looking to expand our pool of Contracted Technical Assessors with expertise in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including systems commonly referred to as drones, to support the assessment of Certification Bodies operating against UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945.

About the Role

As a Technical Assessor, you will help assess Certification Bodies operating against UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945, using your Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) expertise to review technical activity, engineering processes, testing approaches and compliance evidence.

You will assess areas such as:

• UAS design, engineering and manufacturing processes
• Flight characteristics, operational performance and validation activity
• Product safety, structural integrity, risk controls and technical documentation
• Command and control systems, including communication links, fail-safe behaviour and operational safeguards

What we’re looking for:

We are interested in professionals with strong practical experience in unmanned aircraft systems, aviation, aerospace, product assurance or closely related engineering disciplines, particularly those with:

• Significant experience in the design, testing, validation, manufacture or assurance of UAS or comparable airborne systems
• Experience working with product safety, product compliance, certification or regulatory requirements
• Strong understanding of engineering principles across mechanical, electrical, control or systems engineering
• Experience reviewing technical documentation, test plans, validation evidence, risk controls and compliance outputs
• Confidence working with technical specialists, Certification Bodies, senior stakeholders and assessment teams

Typical backgrounds and experience

• Aerospace, avionics, mechanical or systems engineer with UAS or aviation experience
• Flight test, validation or product certification specialist
• Defence, aviation or advanced engineering professional with relevant system-level expertise
• Engineer or specialist involved in safety, compliance or product assurance of airborne or automated systems

Technical Expertise

You should have practical experience in one or more areas, such as flight performance, stability, manoeuvrability, operational limits, materials, structural integrity, product safety, control systems, communication links, fail-safe responses, geo-awareness, and remote identification.

You should also understand testing principles and limitations, validation and verification approaches, risk controls, technical documentation and the evidence used to demonstrate conformity.

Familiarity with standards such as EN 4709, or equivalent, and an understanding of conformity assessment modules A, B, C and H is desirable.

Conflict of Interest

All applicants are required to submit a conflict-of-interest declaration during the selection and onboarding process. This ensures the impartiality, independence, and integrity of UKAS accreditation activities. Any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts will be evaluated and managed in accordance with UKAS guidelines prior to scheduling assessment activities.

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