Electric Utility Aerial Mapping Project Lead

Westwood Professional Services; Minnetonka (MN); On-site; USD 62,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

Westwood Professional Services in Minnesota seeks a Remote Sensing Project Lead for electric utility aerial mapping. You will manage full lifecycle from proposal and scoping through data acquisition, LiDAR/imagery classification, PLS-CADD model development, and final deliverable handoff.

This role serves as the primary client contact for utility and cooperative clients, coordinating survey and design teams to ensure deliverables meet client specs, schedules, and budgets.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of project management experience in electric utility, transmission/distribution, or geospatial and surveying services.
• In depth knowledge of aerial LiDAR/imagery acquisition and point cloud classification workflows for utility corridors and substations.
• Familiarity with terrestrial/mobile LiDAR scanning platforms and processing workflows.
• Familiarity with PLS-CADD modeling processes and utility engineering to the level of understanding what is required from a mapping sortie.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent utility client engagements and cross-functional technical teams.
• Proficiency in managing project financials, including budgets, invoices, and WIP.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and client management skills.
• ASPRS Certification preferred.
• Direct hands-on experience with PLS-CADD software and utility feature coding standards preferred.
• Experience with substation mapping, vegetation management, encroachment analysis, or clearance reporting for electric utilities preferred.
• Experience across multiple market verticals, including power delivery, renewables, and public infrastructure preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage electric utility transmission, distribution, and substation aerial and terrestrial mapping projects from inception through final PLS-CADD deliverable across multiple concurrent engagements.
• Serve as the primary client contact for utility and cooperative clients; represent Westwood in scoping calls, kickoff meetings, and progress reviews.
• Develop and manage proposals, fee estimates, invoicing, and work-in-process tracking, for utility mapping engagements.
• Coordinate LiDAR and imagery acquisition (fixed-wing, helicopter, UAS, and terrestrial/mobile LiDAR scanning) and ground survey control to meet utility corridor and substation requirements.
• Oversee point cloud classification and feature/attribute coding to utility-specific standards, including vegetation clearance classifications.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, and staffing plans across classification, PLS-CADD, and QA/QC teams; proactively communicate status and risks.
• Identify and document scope changes, such as corridor extensions, reflights, or reclassification needs; prepare and negotiate change orders in a timely manner.
• Implement and enforce QA/QC procedures for classified point clouds, feature coding, and PLS-CADD models prior to client delivery.
• Coordinate with production staff, aerial and terrestrial acquisition teams, survey crews, and PLS-CADD designers to align resources and deliverables.
• Provide guidance, technical review, and feedback to project technicians.
• Support other aerial and terrestrial mapping projects outside the utility sector as needed, based on business demand.

Skills

Project management

Aerial LiDAR workflows

PLS-CADD

Client management

Budget management

Communication

Cross-functional leadership

Substation mapping

Terrestrial LiDAR

Education

ASPRS Certification

Tools

PLS-CADD

LiDAR processing

GIS software

Job description

Westwood Professional Services in Minnesota seeks a Remote Sensing Project Lead for electric utility aerial mapping. You will manage full lifecycle from proposal and scoping through data acquisition, LiDAR/imagery classification, PLS-CADD model development, and final deliverable handoff.

This role serves as the primary client contact for utility and cooperative clients, coordinating survey and design teams to ensure deliverables meet client specs, schedules, and budgets.