UAS Operator, Energy, Utilities and Industrial Inspection

This is a field-operations role for an experienced UAS Operator to support aerial inspection projects across energy, utilities, environmental, and industrial sectors. The operator will safely fly enterprise multirotor aircraft, manage specialized payloads, and collect reliable inspection data around active infrastructure and remote industrial sites. Responsibilities include mission planning, airspace reviews, risk assessments, and data quality verification, as well as maintaining flight logs and documentation. The role requires working outdoors in varied conditions and frequent travel throughout Western Canada.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate enterprise multirotor RPAS in accordance with the Canadian Aviation Regulations, Transport Canada requirements, company procedures, and client-specific operating rules.
• Plan and execute aerial inspection missions involving energy facilities, utilities, pipelines, rights-of-way, landfills, environmental assets, and other industrial infrastructure.
• Complete airspace reviews, site surveys, weather assessments, hazard identification, mission risk assessments, pre-flight inspections, and crew briefings.
• Obtain or support required flight authorizations and coordinate operations near controlled airspace, aerodromes, active infrastructure, work crews, and client facilities.
• Configure and operate specialized payloads such as optical gas imaging and methane detection systems, thermal or infrared cameras, EO systems, LiDAR, mapping sensors, and environmental instruments.
• Serve as Pilot-in-Command, payload operator, visual observer, or field crew lead as assigned based on project requirements and demonstrated competency.
• Monitor aircraft status, command-and-control links, telemetry, payload health, batteries, weather, airspace, and ground hazards throughout each mission.
• Perform aircraft and payload setup, calibration, battery management, field troubleshooting, minor maintenance, and post-flight inspections.
• Verify inspection coverage and data quality before leaving the project site, and complete additional flights when required to resolve gaps or questionable results.
• Maintain accurate flight logs, maintenance records, risk assessments, site documentation, equipment records, incident reports, and project notes.
• Support data organization, GIS or KMZ deliverables, inspection reporting, field quality assurance, and professional communication with clients and project partners.
• Comply with industrial safety programs, PPE and site-access requirements, while supporting equipment mobilization, inventory accountability, vehicle loading, shipping, and field logistics.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid Transport Canada Pilot Certificate - Advanced Operations.
• Current Transport Canada recency compliance and the ability to provide proof of recurrent activity completed within the previous 24 months.
• At least two years of progressive professional or commercial UAS operating experience; additional relevant experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience operating enterprise multirotor aircraft in field environments, beyond recreational or consumer-level flying.
• Previous responsibility for aircraft carrying specialized, sensitive, or high-value payloads, with a strong record of equipment care and operational discipline.
• Strong working knowledge of Canadian airspace, flight planning, weather, site surveys, emergency procedures, and operational risk management.
• Ability to independently evaluate changing conditions, exercise sound go/no-go judgment, and safely manage abnormal or unexpected situations.
• Experience completing checklists, flight logs, maintenance documentation, field records, and concise operational reports.
• Practical troubleshooting skills involving aircraft, payloads, batteries, communications links, software, networking, or field integration issues.
• Valid driver's licence, ability to work legally in Canada, and willingness to travel frequently throughout Western Canada.

Nice to have

• Transport Canada Pilot Certificate - Level 1 Complex Operations and experience supporting lower-risk BVLOS, EVLOS, sheltered, or other complex RPAS operations.
• Previous work in oil and gas, utilities, pipelines, power generation, landfills, environmental monitoring, surveying, or industrial inspection.
• Experience with DJI Matrice-series or comparable enterprise aircraft, hybrid multirotors, or other technically complex RPAS platforms.
• Hands-on experience with optical gas imaging, methane detection, thermal imaging, EO/IR, LiDAR, photogrammetry, GIS, or remote-sensing payloads.
• Experience validating field data, organizing GIS or inspection deliverables, and working within documented quality-assurance processes.
• Current industrial safety certifications such as H2S Alive, Standard First Aid/CPR, WHMIS, Transportation of Dangerous Goods, or Ground Disturbance.
• Experience supervising flight crews, mentoring junior operators, conducting client demonstrations, or acting as a field project lead.