Remote Sensing Project Lead

Jobtailor; Scottsdale (AZ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Westwood is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead electric utility transmission and distribution mapping initiatives, from scoping to final PLS-CADD deliverables.

You will act as the primary client liaison, oversee cross-functional teams, and manage schedules, budgets, and change orders while ensuring QA/QC across classifications and feature coding per utility standards.

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 sufficient to understand mapping sortie requirements.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent utility client engagements and cross-functional technical teams.
• Proficiency managing project financials, including budgets, invoices, and WIP.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and client management skills.
• ASPRS Certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage electric utility transmission, distribution, and substation aerial and terrestrial mapping projects from inception through final PLS-CADD deliverable.
• 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 using fixed-wing, helicopter, UAS, and terrestrial/mobile LiDAR scanning, plus ground survey control.
• Oversee point cloud classification and feature/attribute coding to utility-specific standards.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, and staffing plans.
• Communicate project status and risks proactively.
• 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.
• Coordinate production staff, acquisition teams, survey crews, and PLS-CADD designers.
• Provide technical guidance, review, and feedback to project technicians.
• Support other aerial and terrestrial mapping projects outside the utility sector as needed.

Skills

Project Management

Aerial LiDAR Acquisition

Point Cloud Classification

PLS-CADD Modeling

Budget Management

Proposal Development

Change Order Preparation

Survey Control

Feature Coding Standards

Geospatial Services

Client Management

Education

ASPRS Certification

Tools

PLS-CADD

LiDAR Scanning Platforms

UAS

Terrestrial LiDAR

Imagery Acquisition

Job description

• Manage electric utility transmission, distribution, and substation aerial and terrestrial mapping projects from inception through final PLS-CADD deliverable
• 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 using fixed-wing, helicopter, UAS, and terrestrial/mobile LiDAR scanning, plus ground survey control
• Oversee point cloud classification and feature/attribute coding to utility-specific standards
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, and staffing plans
• Communicate project status and risks proactively
• 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
• Coordinate production staff, acquisition teams, survey crews, and PLS-CADD designers
• Provide technical guidance, 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 sufficient to understand mapping sortie requirements
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent utility client engagements and cross-functional technical teams
• Proficiency 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 acquisition, point cloud classification, and PLS-CADD modeling. Proven ability to oversee project financials, schedules, and client communications while ensuring quality assurance and compliance with utility-specific standards.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Project Management Experience
• Aerial LiDAR Acquisition
• PLS-CADD Software Proficiency
• Point Cloud Classification Workflows
• Client Management Skills

Hard Skills

• Project Management
• Point Cloud Classification
• Aerial LiDAR Acquisition
• PLS-CADD Modeling
• Budget Management
• Proposal Development
• Change Order Preparation
• Survey Control
• Feature Coding Standards
• Geospatial Services

Soft Skills

• Excellent Communication
• Organizational Skills
• Client Management

Certifications & Qualifications

• ASPRS Certification

Industry Keywords

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

Tools & Technologies

• PLS-CADD
• LiDAR Scanning Platforms
• UAS
• Terrestrial LiDAR
• Imagery Acquisition