The Payload Operator is responsible for the field operation, readiness, and first-pass data quality control of geophysical and remote-sensing payloads deployed on UAV survey platforms. The role covers magnetic, radiometric, gravimetric, LiDAR, hyperspectral, GNSS/base station and supporting survey systems across both heavy hybrid unmanned helicopter and light hybrid multirotor operations. The operator prepares, configures, and operates payloads before, during, and after missions, monitors payload status, and coordinates with pilots and GCS operators. They also handle data download, organization, backup, and handover, as well as perform first-pass QA/QC to ensure data completeness and quality.

Responsibilities

Prepare, configure and operate geophysical and remote-sensing payloads before, during and after UAV survey missions.
Check payload power, cabling, mounting, storage, GNSS, timing/PPS, base stations, metadata and health status before each flight.
Support payload installation, calibration, warm-up, stabilization, functional checks and post-flight shutdown procedures.
Monitor payload status during missions and coordinate with the Pilot and GCS Operator on alarms, data gaps, line repeats or re-flights.
Download, organize, name, back up and hand over payload data, flight metadata, GNSS/base station files and field logs daily.
Perform first-pass QA/QC to confirm data completeness, time synchronization, coverage, altitude consistency and obvious acquisition issues.
Maintain payload inventory, consumables, cables, mounts, storage media, field computers and sensor condition records.

Requirements

3-5+ years of geophysics, UAV payload operations, geomatics, remote sensing, LiDAR, hyperspectral, survey data acquisition or field data management experience preferred.
Practical experience with magnetic, radiometric, gravity, LiDAR, hyperspectral, GNSS/base station or similar survey systems is preferred.
Strong data discipline: naming, logs, backups, metadata, daily QA/QC and handover control.
Ability to troubleshoot sensors, cabling, GNSS/time sync, data storage, software and field-computer issues.
Understanding of survey-line execution, acquisition parameters and data-quality implications is preferred.
Comfortable working with pilots, GCS operators, technicians and geophysicists in remote field conditions.