UAS Operator, Energy, Utilities and Industrial Inspection

Delmar Aerospace Corporation; Edmonton; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Perspectum Drone Inspection Services Ltd. is seeking an experienced UAS Operator to support aerial inspection projects across energy, utilities, environmental and industrial sectors.

This professional field-operations role requires safe operation of enterprise multirotor aircraft, handling high-value payloads and data collection. You will work around active infrastructure and remote sites, perform pre-flight checks, obtain necessary authorizations, and ensure data quality.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid Transport Canada Pilot Certificate - Advanced Operations.
• Current Transport Canada recency compliance.
• At least two years of commercial UAS operating experience.
• Experience operating enterprise multirotor aircraft in field environments.
• Experience carrying specialized, high-value payloads with care and discipline.
• Strong knowledge of Canadian airspace, flight planning, and risk management.
• Ability to evaluate changing conditions and maintain go/no-go judgment.
• Experience with flight logs, maintenance documentation, and field reports.
• Troubleshooting skills for aircraft, payloads, batteries and links.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel across Western Canada.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate enterprise multirotor RPAS in accordance with regulations and client rules.
• Plan and execute aerial inspection missions for energy facilities, utilities and industrial sites.
• Complete airspace reviews, site surveys, weather assessments, and risk analyses.
• Obtain flight authorizations and coordinate near controlled airspace and facilities.
• Configure and operate payloads such as optical gas imaging, thermal cameras, LiDAR and mapping sensors.

Skills

UAS operations

Flight planning

Field risk management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Transport Canada Pilot Certificate - Advanced Operations

Transport Canada recency compliance

Tools

DJI Matrice-series

Job description

Position Summary

Perspectum Drone Inspection Services Ltd. is seeking an experienced UAS Operator to support aerial inspection projects across the energy, utilities, environmental, and industrial sectors. This is a professional field-operations role for an operator with demonstrated commercial experience beyond recreational flying or basic aerial photography. The successful candidate will safely operate enterprise multirotor aircraft, take responsibility for specialized high-value payloads, collect reliable inspection data, and work effectively around active infrastructure and remote industrial sites.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Safely operate enterprise multirotor RPAS in accordance with the Canadian Aviation Regulations, Transport Canada requirements, company procedures, and client-specific operating rules.
• Plan and execute aerial inspection missions involving energy facilities, utilities, pipelines, rights-of-way, landfills, environmental assets, and other industrial infrastructure.
• Complete airspace reviews, site surveys, weather assessments, hazard identification, mission risk assessments, pre-flight inspections, and crew briefings.
• Obtain or support required flight authorizations and coordinate operations near controlled airspace, aerodromes, active infrastructure, work crews, and client facilities.
• Configure and operate specialized payloads such as optical gas imaging and methane detection systems, thermal or infrared cameras, EO systems, LiDAR, mapping sensors, and environmental instruments.
• Serve as Pilot-in-Command, payload operator, visual observer, or field crew lead as assigned based on project requirements and demonstrated competency.
• Monitor aircraft status, command-and-control links, telemetry, payload health, batteries, weather, airspace, and ground hazards throughout each mission.
• Perform aircraft and payload setup, calibration, battery management, field troubleshooting, minor maintenance, and post-flight inspections.
• Verify inspection coverage and data quality before leaving the project site, and complete additional flights when required to resolve gaps or questionable results.
• Maintain accurate flight logs, maintenance records, risk assessments, site documentation, equipment records, incident reports, and project notes.
• Support data organization, GIS or KMZ deliverables, inspection reporting, field quality assurance, and professional communication with clients and project partners.
• Comply with industrial safety programs, PPE and site-access requirements, while supporting equipment mobilization, inventory accountability, vehicle loading, shipping, and field logistics.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid Transport Canada Pilot Certificate - Advanced Operations.
• Current Transport Canada recency compliance and the ability to provide proof of recurrent activity completed within the previous 24 months.
• At least two years of progressive professional or commercial UAS operating experience; additional relevant experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience operating enterprise multirotor aircraft in field environments, beyond recreational or consumer-level flying.
• Previous responsibility for aircraft carrying specialized, sensitive, or high-value payloads, with a strong record of equipment care and operational discipline.
• Strong working knowledge of Canadian airspace, flight planning, weather, site surveys, emergency procedures, and operational risk management.
• Ability to independently evaluate changing conditions, exercise sound go/no-go judgment, and safely manage abnormal or unexpected situations.
• Experience completing checklists, flight logs, maintenance documentation, field records, and concise operational reports.
• Practical troubleshooting skills involving aircraft, payloads, batteries, communications links, software, networking, or field integration issues.
• Valid driver's licence, ability to work legally in Canada, and willingness to travel frequently throughout Western Canada.

Preferred Qualifications

• Transport Canada Pilot Certificate - Level 1 Complex Operations and experience supporting lower-risk BVLOS, EVLOS, sheltered, or other complex RPAS operations.
• Previous work in oil and gas, utilities, pipelines, power generation, landfills, environmental monitoring, surveying, or industrial inspection.
• Experience with DJI Matrice-series or comparable enterprise aircraft, hybrid multirotors, or other technically complex RPAS platforms.
• Hands-on experience with optical gas imaging, methane detection, thermal imaging, EO/IR, LiDAR, photogrammetry, GIS, or remote-sensing payloads.
• Experience validating field data, organizing GIS or inspection deliverables, and working within documented quality-assurance processes.
• Current industrial safety certifications such as H2S Alive, Standard First Aid/CPR, WHMIS, Transportation of Dangerous Goods, or Ground Disturbance.
• Experience supervising flight crews, mentoring junior operators, conducting client demonstrations, or acting as a field project lead.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Work is performed outdoors at energy, utility, landfill, environmental, and industrial sites, including remote locations and uneven terrain. The role may involve early starts, extended field days, heat, cold, wind, dust, and changing weather. The operator must be able to stand, walk, kneel, bend, reach, and safely lift or carry aircraft, batteries, payloads, cases, and support equipment weighing up to approximately 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations will be considered in accordance with applicable law.

Employment Conditions

• Employment is contingent upon verification of required certificates, driving eligibility, work authorization, satisfactory screening, and the ability to meet client site-access and safety requirements.
• Project schedules and travel requirements may change due to weather, airspace, equipment readiness, site access, client priorities, and operational conditions.
• Perspectum Drone Inspection Services Ltd. reserves the right to revise duties and assignments consistent with operational and client requirements.