Agricultural Drone Operator & Technician

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 193,000 - 289,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State-of-the-art drone equipment

Training & certification opportunities

Exposure to cutting-edge agricultural技

Dynamic role across farms

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an Agricultural Drone Operator & Technician near Nelspruit to operate drones with multispectral and thermal sensors for crop surveys, health assessments, and precise treatment applications.

You will maintain drone systems, analyze data for farmers, and collaborate with agronomists to improve yields across diverse farms.

Qualifications

• Drone Pilot Certification (e.g., SACAA or equivalent) required.
• Proven experience operating drones for commercial purposes, preferably in agriculture.
• Technical aptitude for maintaining and troubleshooting drone systems.

Responsibilities

• Operate agricultural drones safely and efficiently to conduct aerial surveys, mapping, and crop health assessments.
• Deploy and manage sensors (multispectral, thermal) for data acquisition relevant to agricultural needs.
• Perform precision application of fertilizers, pesticides, and other treatments as directed by agronomists.
• Conduct regular maintenance, calibration, and minor repairs on drone equipment and associated technology.
• Analyze and interpret drone-collected data to provide actionable insights for farm management.

Skills

Drone operation

Sensor deployment

Crop health data interpretation

Maintenance & troubleshooting

Safety & compliance

Tools

Multispectral sensors

Thermal sensors

Drone maintenance tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a skilled Agricultural Drone Operator & Technician to join their innovative agricultural services team near Nelspruit . You will be responsible for operating drones equipped with advanced sensors for aerial surveying, crop monitoring, and precision application of treatments. This role requires technical expertise in drone operation and maintenance, coupled with an understanding of agricultural applications. You will play a vital role in providing farmers with critical data and solutions to enhance crop health and yield efficiently. This is an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of agricultural technology.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate agricultural drones safely and efficiently to conduct aerial surveys, mapping, and crop health assessments.
• Deploy and manage sensors (e.g., multispectral, thermal) for data acquisition relevant to agricultural needs.
• Perform precision application of fertilizers, pesticides, and other treatments as directed by agronomists.
• Conduct regular maintenance, calibration, and minor repairs on drone equipment and associated technology.
• Analyze and interpret drone-collected data to provide actionable insights for farm management and decision-making.

Requirements

• Certification as a Drone Pilot (e.g., CASA or equivalent recognized aviation authority certification).
• Proven experience in operating drones for commercial purposes, preferably in agriculture.
• Technical aptitude for maintaining and troubleshooting electronic and mechanical systems.
• Understanding of agricultural principles , crop scouting, and precision farming concepts.
• Strong attention to detail, safety consciousness, and problem-solving skills.

Benefits

• Competitive hourly wage with potential for overtime.
• Provision of state-of-the-art drone equipment and technology.
• Opportunities for training and certification in new drone technologies.
• Exposure to cutting-edge agricultural practices and innovation.
• A dynamic role working across various farms and agricultural settings.