Jonas Aerts

Experience

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  Press & Plat NV

  Feb 2006 - Aug 2007

  Tool&Die engineer ( Maintenance)

  I provided engineering support for the tool & die maintenance service. I spent a lot of time reverse-engineering spare parts for the metal sheeting bending and cutting tools used for chassis components for trucks and heavy vehicles. Adapting designs, following up on maintenance and general troubleshooting was also part of my array of tasks.

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  Randstad Professionals

  Aug 2007 - Sept 2009

  Mechanical Design Engineer

  I worked as a mechanical design engineer for Randstad Professionals. Most of the work was done on-site with the customer, working there during several weeks or often months at the time. I got to work both for smaller companies as well as for some bigger multinationals. The projects I worked on were as diverse as the companies themselves, but the main focus was:-Prototype development-scaffolding design-factory layouts Most of the time was spent working with CAD software like AUTOCAD, Inventor and Solidworks. Show less

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  Belgian Defence

  Oct 2009 - Apr 2023

  Part of the newly formed UAS Cell at "COMOPSLAND - Synthese", improving airspace integration, developing education programs for UAS operators and writing operating procedures. One of my main focus areas is the implementation of an Aviation Safety Management Structure within the Army. This not only means handling all incident and accident reports but also actively promoting an aviation safety culture.Overall, I'm pushing forwards toward an alignment with the civilian EU EASA UAS regulations, writing CONOPS, (with SORA) for our military UAS in both open and specific categories. Show less I was given the opportunity to work on all programs related to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). My primary role was sustaining the B-Hunter (IAI RQ-5) fleet, but I also got to introduce and sustain a wide range of smaller UAS for the Army.When the Belgian Navy started the acquisition program for the new Mine Counter Measure (MCM) vessels, I was tasked with writing the technical specifications for what actually ended with the purchase of the SKELDAR V-200 system. It provided me with knowledge of not only the UAS itself but also its use in this maritime environment.In general, I was the primary link between our customers (the units) and the industry, translating operational requirements into technical specifications, developing maintenance processes, procedures and programs. In case of abnormal discrepancies or incidents, I worked with both military as well as industry SMEs to dive deep into the technical causes and work on continuous improvement.Assisting in the certification process of our RAVEN mini-UAS, based on NATO STANAGs, gave me a thorough understanding of the Initial Airworthiness and technical certification of UAS. Show less Material Resources Manager. In this job, I was responsible for the technical and logistical follow-up of optics related equipment for the Belgian Defence. This included Night Vision Equipment, handheld thermal camera's, weapon lasers, weapon-mounted optics, binoculars and so on.I gained a lot of experience in government contracting and the defence industry in general. I assisted in the writing of several tenders and became project officer working on the introduction of a lot of specialized equipment to be used on the small arms in use with the Belgian Defense. This job broadened my view on the Belgian defence, as this was truly a "joint" environment, working for army, navy as well as the air force. Show less My military career started as a Flight Commander within the F-16 maintenance squadron at Kleine Brogel Air base. This opportunity gave me a lot of insight and practical experience in aviation maintenance, technical planning and day-to-day management. I had the overall responsibility for a hangar with about 90 technicians, divided over multiple maintenance docks and back-shops. Being a member of an operational unit, this job took me on several training and operational deployments abroad, leading teams of aircraft technicians, sometimes in austere conditions Show less

  • Material Manager Ground Support Devices Airbus A400m

    Aug 2022 - Apr 2023

  • UAS Coordinator

    Jun 2021 - Aug 2022

  • Higher Staff Officer Course

    Sept 2020 - May 2021

  • Material Resources Manager - UAS

    Jul 2017 - Aug 2020

  • Material Resources Manager - Weapon Optics & Vision Equipment

    Jan 2014 - Jul 2017

  • Technical Officer - Flight Commander F-16 maintenance Squadron

    Oct 2009 - Dec 2013
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  ZSE Technology NV

  May 2023 - Oct 2024

  Business Development Manager

  Working in a small start-up with the primary focus on introducing Counter-UAS systems. This gave me in-depth knowledge on all aspects of counter-UAS technology, procedures and challenges. Secondly, I managed a development program for a series of small drone systemens, always focussing on military applications.