Lead, Electric Utility Remote Sensing & Aerial Mapping

Westwood Professional Services, Inc.; Scottsdale, Northern (AZ, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Westwood Professional Services, Inc. seeks a Remote Sensing Project Lead to manage electric utility aerial and terrestrial mapping projects from inception through final deliverables. You will coordinate LiDAR/imagery, PLS-CADD modeling, and QA/QC to meet client specs, schedules, and budgets, serving as the primary client contact.

The role requires strong project management, cross‑functional leadership, and hands‑on experience with PLS-CADD and utility standards. ASPRS certification is preferred.

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 mapping projects from inception to final deliverable across multiple 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 across platforms to meet requirements.
• Oversee point cloud classification and feature coding to utility-specific standards.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, and staffing plans; proactively communicate status and risks.
• Identify and document scope changes; prepare and negotiate change orders in a timely manner.
• Implement 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.
• Provide guidance, technical review, and feedback to project technicians.
• Support other aerial and terrestrial mapping projects as needed, based on business demand.

Skills

Project management

Aerial LiDAR imagery

Terrestrial LiDAR

PLS-CADD modeling

Client management

Budget & invoicing

Communication

ASPRS Certification

PLS-CADD software

Cross-market experience

Tools

PLS-CADD

Job description

Westwood Professional Services, Inc. seeks a Remote Sensing Project Lead to manage electric utility aerial and terrestrial mapping projects from inception through final deliverables. You will coordinate LiDAR/imagery, PLS-CADD modeling, and QA/QC to meet client specs, schedules, and budgets, serving as the primary client contact.

The role requires strong project management, cross‑functional leadership, and hands‑on experience with PLS-CADD and utility standards. ASPRS certification is preferred.