Drone Pilot (Contractor): Sitemark

Drones Worldwide Directory; Northern (KY); Hybrid; Full time

Job summary

Sitemark is seeking a Drone Pilot contractor to perform solar-site data collection across the United States. You will operate your own aircraft, follow mission briefs, and deliver datasets to clients.

The engagement is per-mission, with rates negotiated in writing before each assignment. Requirements include a current FAA Part 107 certificate, at least two years of commercial UAS experience, and insurance coverage of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence.

Qualifications

• Requires FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate for commercial UAS operations.
• Minimum of two years of documented commercial UAS field experience.
• Commercial UAS liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence.

Responsibilities

• Pilot and operate a drone at solar sites across the United States.
• Follow each mission brief and manage captured datasets and delivery requirements.
• Provide and maintain own aircraft and field equipment; ensure safety and compliance.

Job description

Sitemark is hiring a Drone Pilot (Contractor) for solar-site data collection across the United States. The engagement is independent contract work, with missions assigned by region, equipment, and pilot availability. A contractor operates a drone at solar sites, follows each mission brief, manages the captured datasets, and meets the delivery requirements. The rate is negotiated per mission and confirmed in writing before the work is accepted.

The role requires a current FAA Part 107 certificate, at least two years of documented commercial UAS field experience, and a clean enforcement history. Sitemark also requires commercial UAS liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence. Pilots must hold US work authorization as independent contractors, qualify for a W-9, and pass background and client-site screening. The work is open to drone professionals who can supply and maintain their own aircraft and field equipment.

• Employer: Sitemark
• Location: United States, with regional travel
• Pay: Negotiated per mission and agreed in writing

The application requires a record of commercial UAS work, current insurance information, and proof of the operating equipment available for assignments. The contractor also settles regional availability, travel capacity, aircraft and sensor compatibility, and the ability to complete early departures or multi-day mobilizations before accepting a mission.

The pilot follows a mission brief and capture standard at each solar site. Flight work produces data for inspection workflows, so the field process includes operating the aircraft, checking the collected files, managing positioning metadata, and uploading the completed dataset.

Thermal imaging knowledge is required, while RTK or PPK, GNSS surveying, photogrammetry, and GIS experience are additional strengths. Utility-scale solar photovoltaic experience and familiarity with IEC TS 62446-3 add relevant technical context to the work. The role also requires problems to be flagged before a dataset moves forward.

Field Equipment And Site Work

The contractor supplies and maintains the aircraft, sensors, batteries, field computer, internet access, transportation, personal protective equipment, and other field equipment needed for an assignment. Sitemark does not supply, rent, ship, or reimburse that equipment.

Assignments take place at active industrial sites and require professional conduct around site personnel, equipment, and safety controls. Early departures and multi-day mobilizations can occur within the pilot's region. The contractor accepts work according to regional coverage, available equipment, and the schedule attached to each mission.

Certification And Insurance

The FAA requires a Remote Pilot Certificate for commercial small unmanned aircraft operations under Part 107. The certification path includes the UAG aeronautical knowledge examination, an FAA application through IACRA, a TSA security check, and recurrent online training every 24 calendar months. The FAA Remote Pilot Certificate requirements also include being at least 16 years old and able to read, speak, write, and understand English.

Commercial field work adds operating discipline to the certificate. The remote pilot in command must ensure that a loss of control does not create an undue hazard to people, other aircraft, or property under 14 CFR Part 107 . Sitemark's insurance threshold, equipment ownership rule, and client-site screening place that responsibility inside the contractor's preparation before each mobilization.

Training And Dataset Acceptance

Sitemark provides remote online training at no cost before the first paid assignment. A pilot who completes the training and passes the qualification review joins the active roster for the relevant region.

Payment follows dataset acceptance and is issued against the contractor's invoice under the Independent Contractor Agreement. Captured data belongs to Sitemark and its clients, and the contractor cannot retain, reuse, publish, or distribute it without written permission. The work therefore ends with an accepted dataset and controlled handling of the resulting files.

The role has a clear equipment threshold before the first mission: an aircraft and sensor package compatible with the assignment, a field computer, batteries, connectivity, transportation, and required protective gear. A contractor who lacks one of those items cannot rely on Sitemark to ship or reimburse a replacement.

Regional coverage remains part of the engagement after qualification. A pilot's available aircraft, thermal capability, insurance, travel range, and schedule determine which solar missions can be accepted, while the written mission rate settles the financial terms before each assignment.