Field Operations Lead

About the role

The Field Operations Lead is responsible for planning and executing all field operations required to capture high-quality imagery data using Arkeus optical systems. This means integrating our sensing technology onto the right platform for each mission — whether a drone, a fixed-wing aircraft, a vessel or another vehicle — and ensuring the data returned is fit for purpose for AI processing and commercial delivery.

This is fundamentally a data-first role. The successful candidate will think of themselves as a data specialist who operates in the field, not simply as a platform operator. They will work closely with the AI team to understand exactly what data is needed and why, and with the Commercial team to ensure every deployment delivers against client requirements. Safe, efficient platform operations are the means; high-quality, AI-ready data is the goal.

Key responsibilities

• Partner with AI and Commercial teams to translate data requirements into mission briefs that meet defined quality, coverage and format specifications.
• Integrate and configure Arkeus optical systems across platforms (drones, fixed-wing, boats, ground vehicles), adapting setup to mission objectives and conditions.
• Plan and execute field data collection missions end to end, from site assessment and logistics coordination through to deployment, data capture and safe equipment recovery.
• Monitor and validate data quality in the field, identifying issues in real time and making operational adjustments to avoid mission failure, repeat deployments or data gaps that could impair AI processing.
• Manage all post-mission data workflows, including offload, organisation, basic annotation and structured handover to the AI team, ensuring data is clean, consistent and immediately usable.
• Maintain all optical systems and platform equipment in operational readiness, including scheduled maintenance, field-level fault diagnosis, and coordination of repairs or replacements as needed.
• Ensure compliance with relevant safety regulations and aviation or maritime requirements for each deployment, developing and maintaining site-specific risk assessments and standard operating procedures.
• Manage deployment logistics for domestic and international missions, including equipment transport, customs handling, accommodation and site access, operating with a high degree of autonomy and cost awareness.
• This role requires regular domestic and occasional international travel, including work in remote and operationally challenging environments.

Your experience and skills

• Field experience deploying sensors or optical systems across multiple platform types (aerial, maritime or ground), with a solid grasp of how platform choice and configuration affect data quality and coverage.
• A data-quality mindset - able to assess imagery in the field, identify problems before they become mission failures, and make confident real-time decisions to protect the integrity of the dataset.
• Proven ability to work alongside AI, engineering or data.
• science teams, translating data specifications into clear operational requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and execute complex field deployments independently, managing logistics, safety compliance, equipment and documentation across varied and sometimes challenging environments.
• Current CASA Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) or equivalent recognised certification, with practical experience operating within a regulated aviation or maritime environment and a genuine commitment to safety.
• IT confidence and comfort with data tools — familiarity with mission planning software, geospatial data formats and basic scripting (Python) or automation is an advantage, as is exposure to AI dataset preparation or annotation workflows (desirable).

What we offer

• The opportunity to help scale a company at the forefront of Australian innovation.
• Collaboration with leaders from aerospace, defence and research backgrounds.
• A dynamic and supportive culture where your expertise has immediate impact.
• Participation in our Employee Share Option Plan (ESOP).
• The chance to make a tangible difference in improving global security outcomes.

If you are motivated by the challenge of building exceptional teams in a fast-paced environment, we encourage you to apply — even if you don’t meet every requirement listed.