UAS Drone Pilot

Tsmg; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading drone services provider in Houston is seeking an experienced UAS Drone Pilot to manage complex drone missions across various sectors. Responsibilities include planning and executing drone operations, ensuring regulatory compliance, and overseeing data collection. The ideal candidate will have over 3 years of experience in drone piloting and a strong technical background in drone technology. We offer competitive compensation and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Valid FAA permission, including Part 107 and Part 135 if applicable.
• Minimum 3 years of professional drone piloting experience.
• Extensive experience with various drone platforms.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute complex drone missions safely.
• Perform flight operations using various drone systems.
• Oversee data collection and ensure compliance with regulations.

Skills

Drone piloting

Regulatory compliance

Flight planning

Risk management

Data management

Education

Degree in Unmanned Aerial Systems, Aviation, Geomatics, Engineering

Tools

DJI Matrice

Pix4D

ArcGIS

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled UAS Drone Pilot to join our team for operations across various sectors, including but not limited to surveying, infrastructure inspection, agriculture, environmental monitoring, and emergency response. As a Drone Pilot, you will be responsible for the safe and efficient execution of complex drone missions, managing the technical aspects of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and adhering to strict regulatory standards across the United States.

This position requires a deep technical understanding of drone technology, flight planning, regulatory compliance, and risk management, with a focus on precision operations in both urban and rural environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and execute complex drone missions in accordance with operational goals, ensuring optimal flight safety and data quality.
• Perform manual and autonomous flight operations using a variety of drone systems (e.g., multirotors, fixed-wing, hybrid), including the latest models in surveying, inspection, and mapping.
• Work with cross-functional teams to integrate drone capabilities with other technologies (e.g., LiDAR, thermal imaging, photogrammetry, GIS mapping tools).
• Oversee the collection of high-resolution aerial data (e.g., images, video, 3D models, thermal imagery) during flight missions.
• Ensure proper storage and security of data collected during flights, complying with data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR).
• Perform basic post-processing tasks (e.g., georeferencing, stitching, creating flight logs) and work with external software platforms (e.g., Pix4D, DroneDeploy, Agisoft).
• Conduct pre-flight equipment checks, including batteries, sensors, camera systems, and communication links.
• Provide comprehensive mission reports, including flight logs, data analysis, and actionable insights for clients.

Qualifications

• Valid Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) permission, including Part 107, Part 135 (if applicable), and any specific local or state requirements.
• Minimum 3 years of professional drone piloting experience in complex operations.
• Extensive experience with drone platforms such as DJI Matrice, Phantom, Inspire, or custom-built UAS.
• Proven track record of flying drones for commercial applications in sectors like surveying, mapping, infrastructure inspection, or agriculture.
• Experience in working within restricted airspace and coordinating with aviation authorities (ATC).
• Strong knowledge of geospatial software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS, Pix4D, Agisoft) and drone flight management tools (e.g., DJI Terra, Litchi).
• Expertise in flying drones in diverse environments (urban, rural, industrial, hazardous).
• Strong knowledge of drone flight systems, payloads (e.g., LiDAR, RGB cameras, multispectral sensors), and sensor calibration.
• Familiarity with international regulations regarding drone operations, especially in the United States.
• Problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues in the field.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail for mission planning, data management, and safety protocols.

Preferred Qualifications

• High proficiency in data post-processing techniques and software tools (e.g., photogrammetry, georeferencing).
• A degree or diploma in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Aviation, Geomatics, Engineering, or a related field is highly preferred.
• First Aid Certification
• Willingness to travel frequently across US for client projects and site-specific operations.

We would be happy to get to know you and your skills better and see how we can support each other's growth.

Please apply and let's meet!