Senior LiDAR Systems Engineer — Airborne & Bathymetric Lead

Woolpert; Kiln (MS); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation packages

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Woolpert in Kiln, Mississippi is seeking a Senior LiDAR Systems Engineer to provide technical and project leadership across airborne, terrestrial, drone, and bathymetric LiDAR initiatives. You will set the technical direction, lead multidisciplinary teams, and ensure delivery, client satisfaction, and innovation.

The role requires 10+ years of LiDAR experience, strong leadership, and expertise in system architecture, calibration, and QA/QC.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Geomatics, or related field.
• Typically 10+ years of progressive experience in LiDAR system development, LiDAR components, systems engineering, or related field.
• Proven ability to lead complex technical programs and multidisciplinary teams from concept through deployment.
• Ability to mentor technical professionals and drive accountability for results.
• Strong client-facing leadership and ability to communicate strategy to senior stakeholders.
• Experience with system-level architecture, optics, sensors, embedded systems, software, and platform interfaces.
• LiDAR data processing, calibration, validation, and QA/QC standards.
• PMP certification or equivalent leadership preferred.
• Experience with airborne and bathymetric LiDAR systems.
• Familiarity with ASPRS standards and federal geospatial data requirements.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Project, Python, or C for system control and automation.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical and project leadership across multiple LiDAR programs with responsibility for scope, schedules, budgets, risks, quality and deliverables.
• Set the technical vision and systems-engineering approach for LiDAR solutions (airborne, drone, terrestrial, bathymetric).
• Lead multidisciplinary teams of software, mechanical, electrical, optical, and geospatial professionals to deliver system performance.
• Mentor engineers and staff, promote collaboration, accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Translate business needs into practical system requirements and implementation strategies for clients and internal stakeholders.
• Direct system architecture, design reviews, integration, testing, calibration, and operational readiness for advanced LiDAR platforms.
• Establish QA/QC standards for LiDAR data acquisition and processing.
• Contribute to proposals, scopes of work, cost estimates, documentation, and specifications.
• Identify emerging technologies and champion innovations to improve capability and competitiveness.
• Support strategic planning, resource allocation, and cross-functional decision-making for the LiDAR practice.

Skills

Leadership of complex programs

Executive communication

Mentoring engineers

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Geomatics, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Project

Python

C

Job description

Woolpert in Kiln, Mississippi is seeking a Senior LiDAR Systems Engineer to provide technical and project leadership across airborne, terrestrial, drone, and bathymetric LiDAR initiatives. You will set the technical direction, lead multidisciplinary teams, and ensure delivery, client satisfaction, and innovation.

The role requires 10+ years of LiDAR experience, strong leadership, and expertise in system architecture, calibration, and QA/QC.