Drone Operator - Mission Critical

Big-D Companies; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical premiums covered for you and a

HSAs monthly contribution

401k with Employer match

Life Insurance

Supplemental benefits

PTO & Holidays

Job summary

Big-D Mission Critical is seeking a Drone Operator to support VDC, Design Management, and Project Operations by capturing and managing aerial imagery, progress documentation, mapping data, and reality capture deliverables for mission-critical data center construction projects. Based in Reno, NV, you will work on active job sites ensuring safety and quality.

You will conduct scheduled drone flights, capture high-resolution imagery, perform site mapping and photogrammetry, and create time-lapse

Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Surveying, Geomatics, GIS, Aviation, or related field preferred.
• 2+ years of drone operations, VDC, surveying, or construction technology experience.
• Experience operating drones in active construction environments.
• Strong understanding of construction processes and project workflows.
• Ability to work independently and safely on active job sites.

Responsibilities

• Conduct scheduled drone flights to document project progress, site conditions, and construction activities.
• Capture high-resolution aerial imagery and video for project teams, clients, and executive stakeholders.
• Perform site mapping, orthomosaic imaging, and photogrammetry missions.
• Maintain consistent flight schedules aligned with project reporting requirements.
• Create visual records that support construction, quality, and commissioning activities.
• Provide weekly and monthly progress reports using drone imagery and video.
• Track installation progress of structural, architectural, civil, mechanical, and electrical systems.
• Assist project leadership with schedule validation and work-in-place verification.
• Create time-lapse and progress comparison deliverables.
• Support executive dashboards and client reporting requirements.

Skills

Drone operations

VDC & BIM familiarity

Surveying

Construction technology

Independent worker

Education

Construction Management degree

Engineering degree

Geospatial / GIS degree

Tools

BIM

Job description

Big-D Mission Critical is looking for a Drone Operator to join the team. The Drone Operator supports VDC, Design Management, and Project Operations teams by capturing and managing aerial imagery, progress documentation, mapping data, and reality capture deliverables for mission-critical data center construction projects.

This position is based in Reno, NV.

Position Summary:

Education/Experience Requirements

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Surveying, Geomatics, GIS, Aviation, or related field preferred.
• 2+ years of drone operations, VDC, surveying, or construction technology experience.
• Experience operating drones in active construction environments.
• Strong understanding of construction processes and project workflows.
• Ability to work independently and safely on active job sites.

Critical Skills

Aerial Data Capture & Site Documentation

• Conduct scheduled drone flights to document project progress, site conditions, and construction activities.
• Capture high-resolution aerial imagery and video for project teams, clients, and executive stakeholders.
• Perform site mapping, orthomosaic imaging, and photogrammetry missions.
• Maintain consistent flight schedules aligned with project reporting requirements.
• Create visual records that support construction, quality, and commissioning activities.

VDC & Digital Construction Support

• Support VDC teams with drone-generated reality capture data.
• Integrate aerial imagery with BIM and digital twin platforms.
• Assist with site verification against design models and project plans.
• Support clash review meetings by providing current site conditions.
• Coordinate with VDC Engineers and BIM Coordinators to improve project visualization.

Design Management Support

• Document existing site conditions during preconstruction and design phases.
• Support design teams with topographic and site progress imagery.
• Assist in validating site logistics plans and construction sequencing.
• Capture imagery used for design reviews, constructability assessments, and stakeholder presentations.
• Support coordination between field conditions and design intent.

Project Controls & Progress Monitoring

• Provide weekly and monthly progress reports using drone imagery and video.
• Track installation progress of structural, architectural, civil, mechanical, and electrical systems.
• Assist project leadership with schedule validation and work-in-place verification.
• Create time-lapse and progress comparison deliverables.
• Support executive dashboards and client reporting requirements.

Site Logistics & Planning

• Document crane operations, material staging areas, laydown yards, and access routes.
• Support traffic flow and logistics planning on large-scale campuses.
• Monitor site utilization and support future phase planning.
• Assist with documenting critical lifts and major construction milestones.

Quality & Safety Support

• Provide aerial inspections of difficult-to-access areas.
• Support quality verification efforts through photo and video documentation.
• Identify potential site coordination, safety, or quality concerns.
• Maintain compliance with FAA regulations and company safety standards.
• Coordinate flight activities with project safety teams.
• Big-D pays for 100% of your medical premiums for you and your family
• EmployerContribution into Health Savings Account (HSA) each month
• 401k with Employer match
• Life Insurance
• Optional Supplemental benefits
• Paid Time Off & Holidays

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.