Drone Manager

Our client uses small, unmanned aircraft systems to capture aerial imagery of solar power plant installations to track construction progress for clients, monitor and measure civil & earthworks, and perform aerial IR thermal inspections. Through these aerial images, we provide validated installation quantities of various solar plant system components throughout the life of the project. As the Manager, Drone Operations, you will lead a team of drone analysts, ensuring efficient flight and mission plans optimizing data capture, high quality data analysis, and customized customer reports. You will oversee the day-to-day operations of the drone analyst team, establish best practices, and drive process improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy across the team. This role requires a blend of technical expertise, leadership, and strategic planning to ensure our client's operations remains at the forefront of drone-based solar project monitoring. Key Responsibilities Lead, mentor, and manage a team of drone analysts and operators to ensure high-quality data capture and analysis. Support and coordinate drone flight operations with pilot teams and US-based colleagues and counterparts, ensuring & validating imagery is captured and processed in compliance with client's Flight Operations parameters and quality requirements. Develop and implement best practices for image processing, data validation, and reporting using photogrammetry software and process automations. Establish quality control processes to ensure accurate data recording and reporting in the Construct software and delivered via customized customer reports. Act as the primary point of contact for internal stakeholders, including the greater Operations teams, project managers, leadership, and support pilot teams with regular flight performance metrics. Collaborate with the technology team to improve automation, software integration, and AI/ML capabilities for data processing. Optimize workflows and manage the resource allocation requirements to meet project deadlines and customer service level agreement requirements & expectations. Monitor industry trends, competitor offerings, and advancements in drone technology to drive innovation within client’s drone operations. Support the recruitment, training, and development of new team members to enhance operational capabilities. Ensure smooth communication between project managers, analysts, and pilot teams, addressing any challenges that arise during data collection and analysis. Minimum Qualifications 5+ years of experience in the solar energy industry or heavy construction. Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Geospatial Sciences, or a related field. Strong, proven leadership experience, including managing teams and coordinating projects. Advanced proficiency with photogrammetry software such as Pix4D, Agisoft Metashape, or SimActive Correlator3D. Experience working with cloud-based platforms such as Amazon Workspaces (AWS), Atlassian (JIRA/Confluence), and Microsoft Office Suite. Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to analyze image data for quality control. Strong project management skills with the ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously. Ability to work in a Hybrid (Home/Office) setup and with minimal supervision. Flexibility to work on weekends, holidays, or overtime as needed. Preferred Qualifications Advanced experience with PV system components including modules, trackers, inverters, and battery storage systems. Familiarity with AI/ML capabilities for automating data processing and analysis. Experience developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for drone operations. Background in GIS, remote sensing, or UAV-based data collection #J-18808-Ljbffr