Uas Drone Pilot Iii - Torrance, California

Overview

Acuren is recruiting a Senior UAS Pilot III to support electrical infrastructure inspections in Torrance, California. The role leads advanced aerial missions, manages UAS operations in complex environments, interprets inspection data, mentors junior pilots, and champions UAS operational excellence across the program.

Responsibilities

Lead mission planning for complex inspection operations (large transmission corridors, energized lines, remote / off-grid substations, difficult terrain), including risk assessments, airspace coordination, emergency procedures, and payload configuration.

Operate advanced UAS platforms and payloads, including BVLOS operations under company / regulatory policy, optimizing sensor suites for electrical infrastructure inspection (visual, thermal, LiDAR, corrosion sensors).

Oversee pre-flight inspections and operational readiness, verifying UAS systems, sensor calibration, redundancy plans, and safety checklists.

Conduct high-quality data capture for inspection of towers, lines, and substations, detecting anomalies such as conductor vibration, hot spots, tower corrosion, insulator flashover risk, and tower hardware stress.

Lead post-flight data processing workflow, ensuring imagery / sensor data is properly ingested, triaged, annotated, and delivered, and prepare detailed inspection reports for engineering and asset management teams.

Drive decision-making by collaborating with engineers to prioritize maintenance, support defect classification, estimate repair urgency, and contribute to asset life-cycle management strategies.

Manage and maintain UAS fleet, defining maintenance schedules, upgrade paths, sensor integration, and budget planning for UAS operations.

Train, mentor, and certify junior pilots (Levels I & II), developing training curriculum, ensuring compliance with SOPs, best practices, and operational safety culture.

Develop and refine operational SOPs, safety protocols, regulatory compliance frameworks (FAA waivers, airspace, site-specific authorizations), and continuous improvement initiatives.

Represent the UAS inspection program to stakeholders (utility clients, regulatory bodies, internal leadership), communicating findings, metrics, safety performance, cost savings, and risk mitigation.

Qualifications & Skills

5+ years of commercial UAS operation experience, preferably in infrastructure inspection, utilities, or similar environments.

Valid FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107) or equivalent regulatory certification for commercial UAS operations.

Strong understanding of GO 95 and GO 165 requirements, FAA Part 107 operations, and utility inspection procedures.

Proficiency with UAS flight planning software (waypoints, automated missions) and data capture workflows.

Basic knowledge of electrical infrastructure (transmission towers, poles, substations) and associated hazards is strongly preferred.

Demonstrable experience flying UAS in challenging field conditions (remote terrain, energized lines / towers, variable weather).

Strong situational awareness, spatial / hand-eye coordination, and attention to detail in flight operations and data capture.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; able to work with field teams, site managers, and engineers and present findings clearly.

Benefits

Competitive salary (hourly range $29.00 – $55.00, depending on experience and certifications).

Medical, dental, and supplemental insurance.

401(k) plan.

Paid holidays and paid time off.

Working Conditions

Outdoor work in varying weather (heat, cold, wind, rain, snow) while maintaining flight and safety standards.

Exposure to electrical hazards, electromagnetic fields, and high-voltage environments—must maintain required safety clearances and PPE use.

Frequent travel to inspection sites, including remote or rural locations; may require overnight stays or extended assignments.

Occasional work at heights, near energized infrastructure, or within confined / controlled areas (substations).

Extended concentration and situational awareness needed during flight operations to monitor aircraft position, airspace, and obstacles.

Ability to wear and operate while using personal protective equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, safety glasses, high-visibility vests, gloves, and hearing protection as required by site safety rules.

Physical Demands

Ability to stand, walk, and operate equipment for extended periods (up to 8–10 hours per day) in outdoor environments.

Manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination to safely control drones, operate handheld controllers, tablets, and sensor payloads.

Visual acuity (with or without corrective lenses) sufficient to maintain visual line of sight (VLOS) with UAS, assess airspace conditions, and evaluate imagery for quality and accuracy.

Auditory ability to hear and respond to commands, communications, and environmental sounds (e.g., approaching vehicles, equipment, or other hazards).

Equal Employment Opportunity

We commit to an equal employment opportunity workplace. Consideration for employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established by applicable law.

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