Remote Sensing Project Lead

Jobtailor; Minnetonka (MN); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Westwood is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead electric utility LiDAR mapping projects, from inception through final deliverables. You will serve as the primary client contact for utility and cooperative clients, coordinating multisite engagements across teams including LiDAR, surveying, and PLS-CADD specialists.

The role requires strong communication, budget management, and QA/QC oversight to ensure accurate, on-time delivery.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of project management in electric utility or geospatial services.
• Deep knowledge of aerial LiDAR/imagery workflows for utility corridors.
• Experience with terrestrial/mobile LiDAR scanning workflows.
• Familiarity with PLS-CADD modeling for utility mapping outputs.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent utility engagements and cross-functional teams.
• Experience managing project budgets, invoices, and WIP.
• Excellent communication and client management skills.
• ASPRS Certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end PM for transmission, distribution, and substation mapping projects.
• Serve as primary client contact for utility clients.
• Represent the firm in scoping calls, kickoff meetings, and progress reviews.
• Develop and manage proposals, fee estimates, invoicing, and WIP tracking.
• Coordinate LiDAR acquisition and ground survey control.
• Oversee point cloud classification and feature coding to standards.
• Manage schedules, budgets, and staffing across teams.
• Communicate project status and risks.
• Document scope changes and prepare change orders.
• Ensure QA/QC for classified point clouds and PLS-CADD models before delivery.
• Coordinate production staff, survey crews, and PLS-CADD designers.
• Provide guidance and technical review to project technicians.
• Support other mapping projects as needed.

Skills

Project Management Experience

Aerial LiDAR Acquisition

PLS-CADD Software Proficiency

Utility Feature Coding Standards

Client Management Skills

Education

ASPRS Certification

Tools

PLS-CADD

LiDAR Scanning Platforms

Imagery Acquisition Systems

Job description

• 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
• Coordinate LiDAR and imagery acquisition and ground survey control
• Oversee point cloud classification and feature/attribute coding to utility-specific standards
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, and staffing plans across classification, PLS-CADD, and QA/QC teams
• Communicate project status and risks
• Identify and document scope changes and prepare and negotiate change orders
• Implement and enforce QA/QC procedures for classified point clouds, feature coding, and PLS-CADD models before client delivery
• Coordinate production staff, acquisition teams, survey crews, and PLS-CADD designers
• Provide guidance, technical review, and feedback to project technicians
• Support other aerial and terrestrial mapping projects outside the utility sector as needed

Requirements

• 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

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in managing electric utility transmission and distribution projects, with a strong focus on aerial LiDAR and point cloud classification workflows. Proficient in project financial management, client communication, and cross-functional team coordination.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Project Management Experience
• Aerial LiDAR Acquisition
• PLS-CADD Software Proficiency
• Utility Feature Coding Standards
• Client Management Skills

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Project Financial Management
• Point Cloud Classification
• Geospatial Services
• Budget Management
• Proposal Development
• Change Order Preparation
• QA/QC Procedures
• Survey Control Coordination
• Technical Review
• Staffing Plan Development

Soft Skills

• Excellent Communication
• Organizational Skills

Certifications & Qualifications

• ASPRS Certification

Industry Keywords

• Electric Utility
• Transmission/Distribution
• Substation Mapping
• Vegetation Management
• Encroachment Analysis
• Power Delivery
• Renewables
• Public Infrastructure

Tools & Technologies

• PLS-CADD
• LiDAR Scanning Platforms
• Imagery Acquisition Systems