Senior Advanced Drone Operator (RPAS & Reality Capture)

WSP in Canada; Toronto; On-site; CAD 81,900 - 112,800; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking a Senior Advanced Drone Operator (RPAS & Reality Capture) in the Greater Toronto Area. You will lead cutting-edge UAV operations and transform complex geospatial data into actionable insights for critical infrastructure, transportation, land development, and environmental projects across Canada.

This senior role requires 8+ years in UAV operations, Transport Canada Advanced RPAS & ROC-A certifications, and a proven track record delivering drone-based projects with strong

Qualifications

• 8+ years of UAV operations experience with 500+ logged RPAS hours and Transport Canada Advanced RPAS & ROC-A certifications.
• Experience delivering drone-based projects across transportation, municipal infrastructure, land development, mining, utilities, construction, or environmental monitoring.

Responsibilities

• Lead advanced RPAS operations, ensuring regulatory compliance and operational excellence across diverse projects.
• Deliver high-quality LiDAR, photogrammetry, thermal, and inspection datasets to support infrastructure and environmental initiatives.
• Transform complex geospatial data into engineering-ready deliverables including point clouds, orthomosaics, and digital terrain models.
• Oversee QA/QC processes to ensure accuracy, reliability, and client-ready outputs.
• Mentor and support junior and intermediate drone operators, building team capability and expertise.

Skills

UAV operations

Leadership

Flight planning

Regulatory compliance

Education

Degree in Geomatics

Tools

DJI Terra

Pix4D

Global Mapper

Civil 3D

Job description

Job Description

We are the home of ambitious, passionate, and innovative world shapers. With an unmatched breadth and depth of engineering, advisory and science‑based expertise, our global minds unite to power local solutions. We are pathfinders and impact makers. We are Visioneers. We are WSP.

The Opportunity – Build the Future with Us

Join a high-performing Geospatial and Civil Design team in the Greater Toronto Area where innovation meets impact. As a Senior Advanced Drone Operator (RPAS & Reality Capture), you’ll lead cutting‑edge UAV operations and transform complex geospatial data into actionable insights that shape critical infrastructure, transportation, land development, and environmental projects across Canada.

This role is ideal for a senior technical professional passionate about advanced UAV technology, digital delivery, and leveraging reality capture to drive smarter engineering solutions.

Your Impact

• Lead advanced RPAS operations, ensuring regulatory compliance and operational excellence across diverse projects
• Deliver high-quality LiDAR, photogrammetry, thermal, and inspection datasets to support infrastructure and environmental initiatives
• Transform complex geospatial data into engineering‑ready deliverables including point clouds, orthomosaics, and digital terrain models
• Oversee QA/QC processes to ensure accuracy, reliability, and client‑ready outputs
• Mentor and support junior and intermediate drone operators, building team capability and expertise
• Collaborate with engineers, surveyors, and multidisciplinary teams to solve complex project challenges
• Drive innovation in UAV workflows, reality capture, and digital delivery solutions
• Champion a culture of safety in both field operations and office environments

The Skills That Set You Apart

• Diploma or Degree in Geomatics, Surveying Engineering Technology, Civil Engineering Technology, GIS/Geospatial Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Aviation Technology, or related field
• 8+ years of UAV operations experience with 500+ logged RPAS flight hours and Transport Canada Advanced RPAS & ROC-A certifications
• Proven experience delivering drone‑based projects across transportation, municipal infrastructure, land development, mining, utilities, construction, or environmental monitoring
• Expertise operating enterprise UAV platforms (DJI Matrice, Mavic Enterprise) and executing flight planning, airspace authorization, and risk management
• Strong technical knowledge of GNSS/GPS systems, GCP workflows, coordinate systems, RTK/PPK, and QA/QC accuracy validation
• Advanced experience in LiDAR, photogrammetry, topographic surveys, infrastructure inspection, construction monitoring, or environmental surveys
• Proficiency with DJI Terra, Pix4D, Global Mapper, advanced Excel, and familiarity with Civil 3D, Trimble, ReCap, ArcGIS, and other industry tools
• Passion for innovation with strong analytical, communication, leadership, and mentoring capabilities in multidisciplinary environments

Why Choose WSP?

• Proudly Canadian – we are a Top 100 Employer in Canada for 2026.
• A global community of brilliant minds – your next idea, mentor, or opportunity is always within reach.
• Limitless opportunities start here. Whether it’s across the country or around the globe, we help you tailor your role to match your ambition — because your growth drives ours.
• Flexible work, real balance – we recognize the importance of balance in our lives and encourage you to prioritize the balance in yours.

Compensation

AB, BC, NT, NU, SK & YT: $89,800 - $118,900

MB & ON: $81,900 - $112,800

NB, NL, NS, PE & QC: $81,100 - $107,700

Disclosure

The final salary awarded for this role may vary from the above range based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs. The wage range provided in this job posting may be subject to change for business purposes.

Make Your Mark

Ready to lead the future of UAV innovation and reality capture? Bring your expertise, passion, and leadership to a team that’s shaping the next generation of infrastructure and digital delivery.

About Us

At WSP, we exist to shape communities to advance humanity. It’s why we bring people together who are wired to solve complex challenges – engineers, scientists, advisors, and technical experts who are driven by a common passion – to redefine what’s possible and shape what comes next. We are Visioneers. As one of the world’s leading professional services firms, we partner with clients across transportation, infrastructure, environment, buildings, energy, water, mining and metals. We pair deep local knowledge with global insights to pioneer solutions designed to leave a lasting, positive impact.

At WSP, you’ll join a community of brilliant minds that push boundaries every day - applying deep expertise and fuelling innovation to help create a more connected and resilient future. Here, your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and you are encouraged to bring your authentic self to work. We empower our people to collaborate across disciplines, challenge the status quo, and shape a career with purpose.

Join us.

Please Note:

Health and Safety is a core paramount value of WSP. Given the importance of keeping one another safe it is expected that you comply with our Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) policy at all times as well as client HSE policies when working at client locations. Full details here.

Some safety-sensitive positions involve fieldwork and may include work in a variety of environmental conditions, such as remote or isolated areas, working alone, and in inclement weather (within safe and reasonable limits).

WSP welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

WSP is committed to the principles of employment equity. Only the candidates selected will be contacted.

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Full details here.