UAV Remote Pilot

WM Donald; Aberdeen City; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle

Training & development opportunities

Modern UAV and survey tech

Job summary

WM Donald is recruiting a UAV Remote Pilot to operate survey-grade UAVs from our Netherley, Aberdeen office, supporting construction projects across Aberdeenshire, Tayside and Inverness. You will capture data using the Propeller Aero platform and ensure safety, data quality and regulatory compliance across multiple sites.

The role requires planning flights, maintaining equipment, and collaborating with site teams to schedule surveys and deliver accurate deliverables on time.

Qualifications

• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to sites across WMD regions.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to work independently outdoors.
• Good communication skills for liaising with site teams, clients and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Plan and fly UAV missions across active quarry, construction and operational sites, capturing survey-grade imagery.
• Process and upload flight data via Propeller Aero to generate volumetric, stockpile, and progress reports.
• Carry out ground control point placement and site calibrations to ensure survey accuracy.
• Maintain UAV equipment, batteries and associated kit in good working order, reporting faults promptly.
• Conduct pre-flight risk assessments and ensure all flights comply with CAA and company operating procedures.
• Liaise with the technical and engineering department to maintain current revision site drawings in the platform.
• Liaise with site managers, surveyors and engineers to schedule flights around operational activities.
• Maintain accurate flight logs, maintenance records and compliance documentation.
• Promote and maintain a strong health and safety culture across all UAV operations.
• Keep up to date with UAV technology, survey software and regulatory changes relevant to the construction sector.
• Maintain Operational Authorisation documentation current with legislation changes.

Skills

UAV operations

Flight planning

Attention to detail

Independent outdoor work

Communication

Tools

Propeller Aero

QGIS

AutoCAD

Job description

About The Role

WM Donald is seeking a skilled and safety-conscious UAV Pilot to join our team, operating UAV survey equipment integrated with the Propeller Aero platform.

UAV Remote Pilot - WM Donald

Netherley, Aberdeen

About The Role

WM Donald is seeking a skilled and safety-conscious UAV Pilot to join our team, operating UAV survey equipment integrated with the Propeller Aero platform.

The role based at our Netherley office in Aberdeen, supports our construction operations across Aberdeenshire, Tayside and Inverness providing accurate, up-to-date aerial survey deliverables.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and fly UAV missions across active quarry, construction, and operational sites, capturing survey-grade imagery.
• Process and upload flight data via Propeller Aero to generate volumetric, stockpile, and progress reports.
• Carry out ground control point placement and site calibrations to ensure survey accuracy.
• Maintain UAV equipment, batteries, and associated kit in good working order, reporting faults promptly.
• Conduct pre‑flight risk assessments and ensure all flights comply with CAA and company operating procedures.
• Liaise with the technical and engineering department to maintain current revision site drawings in the platform.
• Liaise with site managers, surveyors, and engineers to schedule flights around operational activities.
• Maintain accurate flight logs, maintenance records, and compliance documentation.
• Promote and maintain a strong health and safety culture across all UAV operations.
• Keep up to date with UAV technology, survey software and regulatory changes relevant to the construction sector.
• Maintain Operational Authorisation documentation current with legislation changes.

Requirements

• Full UK driving licence, with willingness to travel to sites across WMD Operational regions. (some overnight stays may be required)
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently outdoors.
• Good communication skills for liaising with site teams, clients and reporting.

Desirable but not essential as training can be provided to successful candidates.

• CSCS Competency Card.
• Good understanding of CAA airspace regulations and safe operating practices.
• CAA-recognised UAV qualification (e.g. GVC, A2 CofC, or equivalent)
• Experience with GIS software (e.g. QGIS) for spatial data handling.
• Experience with AutoCAD, Civil 3D, N4ce or similar software.
• Demonstrable experience piloting UAVs in a commercial/industrial setting; quarry, construction, or surveying experience.
• Familiarity with Propeller Aero (or similar aerial data platforms such as DroneDeploy / Pix4D)
• Background in civil engineering, quarrying, or surveying.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits.
• Company vehicle.
• Opportunities for training and professional development.
• Work with modern UAV, survey and digital construction technologies.
• Contribute to high-impact infrastructure and construction projects across northern Scotland.