Hub Operator - Skyports Hub Operator Programme

Skyports
Nationwide
9 months ago
Applications closed

Skyports is recruiting Hub Operators (HOs) under our Skyports Hub Operator Programme (SHOP). This role supports drone flight operations by ensuring the aircraft, launch sites, and ground processes run smoothly and safely. You’ll be working closely with Remote Pilots and other team members to deliver drone services across delivery, inspection, and surveillance missions. This is flexible, project-based work. You choose which deployments you want to support. Project length can range from 1 week to 8+ weeks. We expect you to take part in at least 2–3 projects each year, but you’re welcome to do more. With operations running around the world, there are always opportunities to get involved and support our ground teams.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Set up and secure drone landing and take-off points (TOLPs)
  • Carry out basic aircraft maintenance (Level 1) and battery management
  • Assist with launch, monitoring, and recovery of flights
  • Maintain visual line of sight with the aircraft when required
  • Watch out for environmental or safety hazards and report them
  • Ensure proper logbook and maintenance record-keeping
  • Support the team with kit handling and refueling
  • Keep your ground procedures and documentation knowledge up to date
  • Complete refresher training as needed before deployments

You may be required to travel domestically or internationally for deployments. Full training will be provided before you begin.


About you

We’re looking for people who are:

  • Safety conscious, with a calm and focused approach
  • Comfortable working outdoors and in varied environments
  • Happy to travel and be away from home on deployments
  • Practical and hands-on with kit and tools
  • Good communicators and team players
  • Reliable, punctual, and detail-focused
  • Physically able to manage drone and battery handling tasks

You do not need a drone license. This is a ground-based role, and full training is provided. You must be based in the UK.


Interview Process

  1. Apply for the Role
    Submit your application through a link.
  2. Video Introduction
    You’ll be asked to record a short 60-second video introducing yourself and explaining why you want to join the programme.
  3. Training Day Invitation
    If selected, you’ll be invited to attend an in-person training day where we assess your practical skills and team fit.
  4. Offer
    If you pass the training day, you’ll be offered a role as a Hub Operator.

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

How Many UAV Tools Do You Need to Know to Get a UAV Job?

If you’re aiming for a role in the Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) industry, it can feel like every job advert expects you to know a never-ending list of tools: flight control systems, autopilot frameworks, simulation platforms, sensor suites, communication stacks, mission planning software, GIS tools — and on it goes. With so many names and acronyms, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and assume you must learn every tool under the sun before you’ll be taken seriously by employers. Here’s the honest truth most UAV hiring managers won’t say out loud: 👉 They don’t hire you because you know every tool — they hire you because you can use the right tools to solve real UAV problems safely, reliably and in context. Tools matter — absolutely — but they always serve a purpose: solving problems, reducing risk, improving performance, or guiding safer operations. So the real question isn’t how many tools you should know — it’s: which tools you should master, in what context, and why. This article breaks down what employers actually expect, which tools are essential, which are role-specific, and how to focus your learning so you look credible, confident and job-ready.

What Hiring Managers Look for First in UAV Job Applications (UK Guide)

Whether you’re aiming for roles in UAV design, robotics/controls engineering, autonomy & computer vision, flight test & certification, embedded systems, operations, ground control software, systems integration or regulatory compliance, the way you present yourself in an application can make or break your chances — and that often happens before the hiring manager reads past your first few lines. In the UK UAV/jobs market, recruiters and hiring managers scan applications rapidly. They look for relevant experience, measurable delivery, technical credibility, domain awareness and safety/regulatory understanding — often making a decision within the first 10–20 seconds. This guide breaks down exactly what hiring managers look for first in UAV applications, why those signals matter, and how to structure your CV, portfolio and cover letter so you get noticed — not filtered out.

The Skills Gap in UAV Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) — commonly known as drones — are among the fastest-growing technologies globally. From infrastructure inspection and agriculture to emergency response, surveying, logistics and defence, UAVs are transforming how organisations gather data, deliver services and improve efficiency. In the UK, demand for UAV professionals is increasing rapidly. Yet despite a growing number of graduates with engineering, robotics or aerospace backgrounds, employers continue to report a persistent problem: Many graduates are not ready for real UAV jobs. This is not a reflection of intelligence or academic effort. It is a widening skills gap between what universities teach and what employers actually need in the UAV sector. This article explores that gap in depth — what universities do well, where programmes fall short, why the divide exists, what employers actually want, and how jobseekers can bridge the gap to build a successful career in UAVs.