Remote Sensing Project Lead: Utility Mapping & PLS-CADD

Westwood-Professional-Services; Minnetonka (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Westwood-Professional-Services seeks an experienced Remote Sensing Project Lead to manage electric utility aerial and terrestrial mapping from proposal through final deliverables. You will coordinate cross-functional teams, oversee LiDAR workflows, and ensure adherence to client specifications, schedules, and budgets.

The role requires strong project management, extensive experience with LiDAR/PLS-CADD, and a proven ability to manage multiple engagements.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of project management in electric utility, transmission/distribution, or geospatial services.
• In-depth knowledge of aerial LiDAR/imagery acquisition and point cloud classification for utility corridors/substations.
• Familiarity with terrestrial/mobile LiDAR scanning platforms and processing workflows.
• Familiarity with PLS-CADD modeling and utility engineering for mapping sorties.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent utility client engagements and cross-functional teams.
• Experience managing project financials (budgets, invoices, WIP).
• Excellent communication, organizational, and client management skills.
• ASPRS Certification preferred.
• Hands-on experience with PLS-CADD software and utility feature coding standards preferred.
• Experience with substation mapping, vegetation management, and clearance reporting preferred.
• Experience across multiple market verticals (power, renewables, public infra).

Responsibilities

• Manage electric utility aerial/terrestrial mapping projects from inception through final PLS-CADD deliverable across multiple engagements.
• Serve as primary client contact for utility and cooperative clients; lead scoping calls, kickoff meetings, reviews.
• Develop and manage proposals, fee estimates, invoicing, and WIP tracking for utility mappings.
• Coordinate LiDAR and imagery acquisition (fixed-wing, helicopter, UAS, terrestrial) to meet corridor/substation needs.
• Oversee point cloud classification and feature coding to utility standards.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, and staffing plans; communicate status and risks.
• Document scope changes and negotiate change orders.
• Enforce QA/QC for classified point clouds, feature coding, and PLS-CADD models.
• Coordinate with production teams to align resources and deliverables.
• Provide guidance and technical review to project technicians.
• Support other aerial/terrestrial mapping projects per business demand.

Skills

Project management

Aerial LiDAR workflows

Terrestrial/mobile LiDAR

PLS-CADD modeling

Client management

Budgeting & invoicing

Communication

ASPRS certification

PLS-CADD software

Substation mapping

Vegetation management

Cross-market experience

Tools

PLS-CADD

Job description

Westwood-Professional-Services seeks an experienced Remote Sensing Project Lead to manage electric utility aerial and terrestrial mapping from proposal through final deliverables. You will coordinate cross-functional teams, oversee LiDAR workflows, and ensure adherence to client specifications, schedules, and budgets.

The role requires strong project management, extensive experience with LiDAR/PLS-CADD, and a proven ability to manage multiple engagements.