Remote Sensing Project Lead - Utility Aerial Mapping

Westwood Professional Services; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Westwood Professional Services is seeking a Remote Sensing Project Lead to manage the full lifecycle of electric utility aerial and terrestrial mapping projects across multiple engagements. You will lead scoping, data acquisition, classification, and PLS-CADD model development, while serving as the primary client contact for utility and cooperative clients.

You will plan and track performance with leadership and production teams, control project budgets, and oversee QA/QC of deliverables.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of project management in electric utility or geospatial services.
• In-depth knowledge of aerial LiDAR/imagery acquisition and point cloud workflows.
• Familiarity with terrestrial/mobile LiDAR scanning workflows.
• Familiarity with PLS-CADD modeling processes for utility mapping.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent client engagements and cross-functional teams.
• Experience managing project budgets, invoices, and WIP.
• Excellent communication and client management skills.
• ASPRS Certification preferred.
• Hands-on experience with PLS-CADD and utility coding standards preferred.
• Experience in substation mapping, vegetation management, or clearance reporting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage electric utility transmission, distribution, and substation aerial/terrestrial mapping projects from inception to final PLS-CADD 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 (fixed-wing, helicopter, UAS, terrestrial) and ground control to meet requirements.
• Oversee point cloud classification and feature coding to utility standards (conductor, structures, substations, vegetation).
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, and staffing plans; communicate status and risks.
• Identify scope changes and negotiate change orders in a timely manner.
• Implement QA/QC procedures for classified point clouds and PLS-CADD models before delivery.
• Coordinate with production teams to align resources and deliverables.
• Provide guidance, technical review, and feedback to project operators.
• Support other aerial/terrestrial mapping projects as needed.

Skills

Project management

Aerial LiDAR

Imagery acquisition

PLS-CADD

Client management

Budgets / Invoicing

Communication

Tools

PLS-CADD software

LiDAR processing

Job description

Westwood Professional Services is seeking a Remote Sensing Project Lead to manage the full lifecycle of electric utility aerial and terrestrial mapping projects across multiple engagements. You will lead scoping, data acquisition, classification, and PLS-CADD model development, while serving as the primary client contact for utility and cooperative clients.

You will plan and track performance with leadership and production teams, control project budgets, and oversee QA/QC of deliverables.