Payload Operator

Client of James Douglas Middle East; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Client of James Douglas Middle East is seeking a Payload Operator to oversee field operation readiness and first-pass data quality control for geophysical and remote-sensing payloads on UAV survey platforms in the UAE. The role spans magnetic, radiometric, gravity, LiDAR and hyperspectral systems across heavy and light hybrid operations.

Responsibilities include payload preparation, pre/post flight checks, data management and QA/QC, with collaboration alongside pilots, GCS operators and

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years in geophysics, UAV payload operations or related field data management.
• Experience with LiDAR, hyperspectral, GNSS/base stations or similar survey systems preferred.
• Strong data discipline: naming, logs, backups, metadata, QA/QC, handover control.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, configure and operate geophysical and remote-sensing payloads for UAV surveys.
• Check payload power, cabling, mounting, storage, GNSS timing PPS base stations, metadata and health.
• Assist payload installation, calibration, warm-up, stabilization, checks and post-flight shutdown.
• Monitor payload status during missions and coordinate with Pilot and GCS Operator on alarms or re-flights.
• Download, organize, back up and hand over payload data, flight metadata and field logs.
• Perform first-pass QA/QC to verify data completeness and time synchronization.
• Maintain payload inventory, cables, mounts, storage media and sensor condition records.
• Troubleshoot sensors, cabling, GNSS/time sync, data storage and field computers.
• Understand survey-line execution and data-quality implications.
• Collaborate with pilots, GCS operators, technicians and geophysicists in remote field conditions.

Skills

Geophysics

UAV payload operations

Geomatics

Remote sensing

LiDAR

hyperspectral

QA/QC data discipline

GNSS/base stations

Job description

Our client is an international consulting firm subsidiary to a global mining company. They are seeking a Payload Operator responsible for field operation readiness and first-pass data quality control of geophysical and remote-sensing payloads deployed on UAV survey platforms. The role covers magnetic, radiometric, gravimetric, LiDAR, hyperspectral, GNSS base station and supporting survey systems across both heavy hybrid unmanned helicopter and light hybrid multirotor operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, configure and operate geophysical and remote-sensing payloads before, during and after UAV survey missions
• Check payload power, cabling, mounting, storage, GNSS timing PPS base stations, metadata and health status before each flight
• Support payload installation, calibration, warm-up, stabilization, functional checks and post-flight shutdown procedures
• Monitor payload status during missions and coordinate with the Pilot and GCS Operator on alarms, data gaps, line repeats or re-flights
• Download, organize, name, back up and hand over payload data, flight metadata, GNSS base station files and field logs daily
• Perform first-pass QA/QC to confirm data completeness, time synchronization, coverage, altitude consistency and obvious acquisition issues
• Maintain payload inventory, consumables, cables, mounts, storage media, field computers and sensor condition records
• 3-5+ years of geophysics, UAV payload operations, geomatics, remote sensing, LiDAR, hyperspectral, survey data acquisition or field data management experience preferred.
• Practical experience with magnetic, radiometric, gravity, LiDAR, hyperspectral, GNSS/base station or similar survey systems is preferred.
• Strong data discipline: naming, logs, backups, metadata, daily QA/QC and handover control.
• Ability to troubleshoot sensors, cabling, GNSS/time sync, data storage, software and field-computer issues.
• Understanding of survey-line execution, acquisition parameters and data-quality implications is preferred.
• Comfortable working with pilots, GCS operators, technicians and geophysicists in remote field conditions.