Location: Wales (Llanbedr Airfield) An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly skilled and motivated Ground Test & Maintenance Lead to support the operation, testing, modification, and maintenance of ULTRA Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). This role is based at an airfield in Wales and will be central to ensuring safe, efficient, and high‑quality flying operations. Role Overview You will plan and lead ground testing, air-test support, and maintenance activities for UAV platforms. You will manage spares, ground equipment, fleet vehicles, and act as the key liaison with local airfield management. Working closely with deployed technicians and cross-functional teams, you will ensure the successful delivery of modification, maintenance, and rectification tasks. Key Responsibilities Planning, Leading & Conducting Embodiment of planned fleet modifications Scheduled maintenance activities Diagnosis, planning, and delivery of unscheduled maintenance and repairs Delivery of special-to-role post-manufacture modifications Ground testing for quality assurance, system validation and fault confirmation Fault rectification identified during testing Ground handling, refuelling, and maintenance support to flying operations Providing feedback on system issues to engineering and availability teams Management and repair coordination for fleet support vehicles and ground support equipment Procurement liaison for third-party maintenance and equipment servicing Spares management for all modification, maintenance, and repair (MMRO) activity Use of electronic inventory management systems (ERP) Spares disposition for deployed aircraft operations Maintaining accurate electronic records for aircraft and equipment Ensuring workspace tidiness, cleanliness, and safe operation Managing relationships with airfield management for facilities and logistics Oversight of facilities within leased areas Leadership Responsibilities Supervise and approve work carried out by technicians Mentor and support the MMRO team on-site Promote continuous learning and professional development Encourage a safety-first culture with transparency and open reporting Lead by example with adherence to organisational values and policies Managerial Responsibilities Operational Delivery Set clear objectives aligned with organisational strategy Oversee day-to-day operations and project delivery Manage resources, risks, and timelines within a fast-paced, agile environment Functional Ownership Lead delivery of technical, safety, and compliance outcomes Act as subject matter expert across MMRO domains Provide technical leadership and coordination across teams Cross-Functional Collaboration Work closely with Flight Operations, Engineering, Customer Success, and other teams Ensure seamless communication and alignment of priorities Standards & Continuous Improvement Maintain documentation, quality, and compliance standards Recommend and drive process improvements Identify opportunities to improve tools, systems, and workflows Foster innovation within a growing organisation People Leadership Set goals for direct reports and support their development Build an inclusive, respectful, high-performance culture Qualifications & Experience Essential Experience leading and supervising vehicle technicians (air, automotive, marine, or rail) Experience supervising mechanical or electrical/electronic vehicle fault diagnosis Strong communication and interpersonal skills Ability to interpret engineering drawings and modification packs Ability to learn new systems, tools, and software Proficiency in Microsoft Office Right to work in the UK Ability to obtain vetting or security clearance as requiredDesirable Experience supervising both mechanical and electrical/electronic diagnostics Willingness to operate periodically from remote locations (UK or overseas) Experience using specialised fleet management or progress management systems Ability to read MCAD and ECAD drawings Professional Development The role supports ongoing professional development. You will be encouraged to keep current with industry practices and undertake relevant continuing professional education. Additional Information This description reflects the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, but duties may evolve with the needs of the organisation. You may be asked to undertake other reasonable tasks as required