Senior Drone Operations

Skye Link Drones; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Healthcare benefits

401(k) with company match

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Skye Link Drones is seeking a Senior UAS Operations Manager to oversee national drone operations, manage pilot teams, and coordinate data projects. The role requires at least 3 years of experience in UAS program management and excellent communication skills. Responsibilities include managing flight operations, client interactions, and ensuring work quality across various projects. Located in Charlotte, NC, the position offers a competitive salary, healthcare benefits, and a hybrid work model contingent on the candidate's suitability.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of drone operations or related experience.
• Current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required.
• Strong understanding of unmanned aircraft systems and mission planning.

Responsibilities

• Manage UAS flight operations and pilot coordination.
• Serve as primary contact for clients ensuring project satisfaction.
• Support pilot onboarding, training, and performance management.
• Review data for quality assurance before delivery.

Skills

UAS program management

Drone operations

Project management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Geography, GIS, Aviation, Engineering, or related field

Tools

DroneDeploy

AutoCAD

ArcGIS

Job description

Skye Link Drones is hiring a Senior UAS Operations Manager to lead nationwide drone operations, manage pilot teams, coordinate complex aerial data projects, and ensure high-quality client delivery.

This senior operational role requires strong unmanned aircraft systems experience, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage drone projects from scoping through execution and delivery. The ideal candidate understands UAS field operations, drone data collection workflows, project coordination, pilot management, and quality control across mapping, inspections, solar, utilities, infrastructure, construction, and geospatial services.

Compensation varies depending on candidate experience level.

Responsibilities

Project & Flight Operations Management

Manage nationwide UAS flight operations by coordinating pilots and contractors, relaying mission details, reviewing flight plans, coordinating airspace authorizations, confirming site access, ensuring timely data uploads, and conducting data quality checks.

Client & Project Delivery

Serve as a primary operational point of contact for clients. Coordinate project requirements, timelines, deliverables, field constraints, and post-delivery follow-up to ensure strong client satisfaction.

Pilot Network Management

Support pilot onboarding, vetting, certification and insurance verification, capability tracking, assignment matching, and ongoing pilot performance management.

Advanced Data Collection Workflows

Support projects involving aerial mapping, RTK/PPK capture, GCP coordination, thermal inspections, utility inspections, construction progress, rooftop modeling, and geospatial deliverables.

Cross-Functional Coordination

Work closely with sales, operations, data processing teams, pilots, and subcontractors to ensure projects are executed safely, efficiently, and within scope.

Quality Control & Technical Review

Review incoming field data for completeness, coverage, accuracy, image quality, and alignment with client requirements before processing or delivery.

Operational Systems & Process Improvement

Help improve SOPs, pilot instructions, project handoffs, QA/QC workflows, and scalable systems for managing complex multi-site drone projects.

Growth & Innovation

Support the expansion of Skye Link’s advanced service offerings, including LiDAR, utility inspection, solar thermography, and geospatial data products.

Market Insight

Stay informed on drone industry trends, emerging UAS technologies, software platforms, and key markets including energy, utilities, infrastructure, construction, and renewables.

Qualifications

• Current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
• 3+ years of drone operations, UAS program management, geospatial, inspection, mapping, utility, construction, or related experience
• Strong hands‑on understanding of unmanned aircraft operations, mission planning, field data capture, and UAS safety practices
• Experience managing drone pilots, contractors, vendors, or distributed field teams
• Strong understanding of drone data collection, photography, imaging, mapping, and inspection workflows
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple active projects
• High attention to detail and strong commitment to safety, quality, and client service
• Self‑motivated and comfortable working independently in a fast‑moving environment

Nice to Haves

• Experience with aerial LiDAR, RTK/PPK workflows, GCPs, CAD, GIS, or point cloud deliverables
• Experience in renewable energy, utilities, infrastructure, construction, engineering, or surveying
• Experience with utility inspections, solar PV inspections, construction progress monitoring, or technical asset inspections
• Familiarity with platforms such as DroneDeploy, Pix4D, DJI Pilot 2, Raptor Maps, AutoCAD, ArcGIS, QGIS, Global Mapper, LP360, LiDAR360, or similar tools
• Manned aviation, helicopter, or utility aviation background that translates well into UAS operations, safety, and field coordination
• Bachelor’s degree in Geography, GIS, Aviation, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive base salary based on experience
• Bonus and performance‑based incentive opportunities
• Healthcare benefits including medical, dental, and vision
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Flexible schedule

Job Type

Full‑time

Schedule

Monday to Friday

Work Location

Charlotte, NC preferred / hybrid considered for the right candidate