Operations Manager (DACH) – Drone-based Power Line Inspections

Location: Germany (Karlsruhe preferred) | Hybrid/Remote | Travel across Europe and regular visits to Gothenburg HQ

About the position

As Operations Manager (DACH), you will be responsible for the end-to-end execution of Airpelago’s drone-based power line inspection projects across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. This role combines operations leadership and hands-on project coordination, ensuring smooth delivery, high service quality, and strong customer relationships.

Airpelago’s German organization is just starting up, which means this role comes with real ownership: you’ll help build the market and team from scratch, create structure where needed, and actively shape a dynamic, vibrant culture as the local organization grows.

You will work closely with a local team of 5+ regional drone pilots. You will take ownership of planning, scheduling, customer communication, risk assessments, and delivery follow-ups. You’ll also support commercial success through facilitating customer demos, identifying upsell opportunities, and contributing to quotes and proposals together with Sales.

Responsibilities

• Plan, schedule, and coordinate ongoing and upcoming projects to ensure delivery on time and within scope.

• Coordinate directly with drone pilots to ensure efficient scheduling, readiness, and smooth execution.

• Serve as an operational point of contact for customers; handle delivery communication and project follow-ups.

• Conduct risk assessments and ensure regulatory and site compliance across DACH+.

• Track progress, documentation, and key operational metrics; contribute to planning and continuous improvement.

• Improve processes, templates, and playbooks to scale delivery efficiently and maintain high service quality.

• Help build the local organization: strengthen team ways of working, onboarding, and culture as we scale.

• Travel within DACH+ (and occasionally to Gothenburg HQ), including occasional short-notice adjustments.

Required Qualifications

• Proven experience in project coordination and multi-stakeholder environments.

• Language skills: Fluent in German & English

• Experience in drone operations is a plus

• Strong technical aptitude; comfortable with documentation and planning tools.

• Degree preferred but not required (relevant experience matters most).

• Driver’s license.

Skills and Personality Traits

• Highly organized, structured, and detail-oriented; able to run multiple projects in parallel.

• Calm under pressure and adaptable when conditions or priorities change.

• Strong communication skills (verbal and written).

• Practical problem-solver with a solutions-oriented mindset.

• Team player who collaborates well across pilots, Sales, and HQ teams.

• Entrepreneurial mindset: proactively improves processes and helps build a positive, high-energy team culture.

Why Airpelago?

• Work with the latest technology in a fast-growing sector.

• A rare chance to build something early: ownership, impact, and visibility.

• Passionate colleagues with strong drive and high ownership.

• Employee ownership opportunities (e.g., qualified employee stock options), depending on local setup.

• Real responsibility from day one + support for your development.

• Competitive salary and benefits.