Drone Pilot – Utility-Scale Solar

Responsibilities

• Conduct scheduled and on-demand drone flights at utility-scale solar, BESS, substation, and construction sites.
• Capture high-resolution aerial photography, video, orthomosaic imagery, and site documentation.
• Perform regular construction progress flights and maintain consistent flight paths for month-over-month comparisons.
• Document site conditions, construction progress, material staging, equipment, access roads, laydown areas, and project milestones.
• Support project managers, construction managers, engineering, safety, and executive leadership with aerial information.
• Produce and organize aerial reports, photo libraries, videos, and other project documentation.
• Assist with volumetric measurements, stockpile measurements, site mapping, and other construction-related data collection.
• Support surveying and engineering teams with drone-generated data and imagery.
• Identify and document potential construction, safety, environmental, or quality issues from aerial observations.
• Maintain accurate flight logs, equipment records, batteries, and maintenance schedules.
• Coordinate flight activities with project teams, site management, and applicable property owners.
• Ensure all drone operations comply with FAA regulations, company policies, and site-specific safety requirements.
• Maintain awareness of changing FAA requirements, airspace restrictions, and project-specific flight limitations.
• Travel to active construction sites throughout the company's project portfolio.

Requirements

• 2+ years of professional drone/UAS operating experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to safely operate drones in active construction environments.
• Strong understanding of FAA airspace regulations and Part 107 requirements.
• Ability to work independently in remote and active construction environments.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel extensively to project sites.

Preferred

• Experience with drone mapping and photogrammetry.
• Experience with platforms such as
• Experience collecting data for construction quantity verification or surveying support.

FAA

• Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required.
• Experience supporting construction, solar, BESS, electrical infrastructure, surveying, engineering, or similar industrial projects preferred.
• Experience with aerial photography and videography.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.

Experience with

utility-scale solar or BESS construction

Experience with DJI or similar commercial UAS platforms.

DroneDeploy, Pix4D, Propeller, Site Scan, or similar

• Experience producing orthomosaics, point clouds, 3D models, or elevation maps.
• Experience with construction progress tracking and site documentation.

Familiarity with

• Bluebeam, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, ArcGIS, or similar software.
• Commercial drone photography/video experience.

Safety & Compliance

• Safety is a core responsibility of this position. The Drone Pilot must:
• Follow all FAA Part 107 requirements.
• Complete required site safety orientations and training.
• Conduct pre-flight risk assessments and equipment inspections.
• Maintain appropriate separation from personnel, equipment, structures, and aircraft.
• Follow all project-specific flight plans and safety procedures.
• Immediately report incidents, near misses, equipment issues, or unsafe conditions.