Job Type: Independent Contractor (1099) – Day Rate

Location: Remote / Field-Based – Houston, TX and surrounding areas

About Aero Velocity:
Aero Velocity is a drone solutions company serving industrial, energy, and government clients. We're expanding our inspection operations in the Houston area and are building a small team of 2–3 qualified contract pilots to support upcoming work at plants, refineries, and other industrial facilities.

About the Role:
This is a contract position, not an employee role. Pilots will be engaged on a per-project, day-rate basis and deployed to client sites in the Houston region as work comes in. There is no office requirement; you'll work from home base and travel locally to job sites. We're looking for reliable, safety-minded operators with real industrial inspection experience who can represent Aero Velocity professionally on client sites.

Responsibilities:

Perform drone-based inspections at plants, refineries, and industrial facilities
Conduct confined-space drone operations, including internal tank and vessel inspections
Support internal and external ultrasonic thickness (UT) inspections
Collect inspection data and imagery for 3D modeling and analysis
Document findings and help prepare client-ready deliverables
Follow site safety, permitting, and access procedures on every job

Required Qualifications:

Current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
Active TWIC card
Applicable DISA requirements already met (Qualification is preferred but not required at the time of hire. The company will support the successful candidate in obtaining it)
Experience working in plants and refineries, with familiarity with site safety, permitting, and access procedures
Ability to travel to job sites throughout the Houston area

Preferred Qualifications:

Hands-on experience with ScoutDI and/or Voliro platforms along with Skydio X-10
Confined-space drone inspection experience
UT thickness inspection experience
Experience with 3D modeling and inspection data workflows
Ownership of suitable inspection drone equipment is a plus

Compensation:

· Competitive day rate based on experience and certifications. Platform or site-specific training will be provided as needed to prepare pilots for deployment.

Please Note:
This is an independent contractor (1099) opportunity. Contractors are responsible for their own taxes and insurance. Work volume is project-based and expected to grow as our Houston operations ramp up.

How to Apply
Please submit your resume, a copy of your Part 107 certificate, your TWIC status, and a brief summary of your industrial inspection experience, including any drone platforms you have operated, such as ScoutDI, Voliro, or Flyability.

Contract Drone Pilot – Industrial Inspection (Part 107) | Houston, TX Area