UAS Drone Pilot III

Position Summary

Acuren is currently recruiting for UAS Pilot III to support our operation in Torrance, California. As a senior UAS Pilot III in the electrical infrastructure inspection domain, you will lead advanced aerial inspection missions, manage UAS operations in complex environments, drive data interpretation, and mentor junior pilots. You will ensure inspection integrity, support decision‑making for maintenance / asset management, and champion UAS operational excellence across the program.

The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of GO 95 and GO 165 requirements, FAA Part 107 operations, and utility inspection procedures. This position is critical in supporting system reliability, safety, and regulatory compliance through aerial data collection.

Responsibilities

• Lead mission planning for complex inspection operations : large transmission corridors, multi‑state projects, energized lines, remote / off‑grid substations, or difficult terrain. Include risk assessments, airspace coordination, emergency procedures, launch / recovery zone planning, and payload configuration (e.g., thermal, LiDAR, NDT sensors).
• Pilot advanced UAS platforms and payloads, possibly beyond visual line‑of‑sight (BVLOS) or using special waivers, under company / regulatory policy; optimize sensor suite for electrical infrastructure inspection (visual, thermal, LiDAR, corrosion sensors).
• Oversee pre‑flight inspections and operational readiness : verify UAS systems, sensor calibration, redundancy / backup plans, communications links, site access procedures, and safety checklists.
• Conduct high‑quality data capture for inspection of towers, lines, substations, including anomaly detection (conductor vibration, hot spots, tower corrosion, insulator flash‑over risk, tower hardware stress).
• Lead post‑flight data processing workflow : ensure imagery / sensor data is properly ingested, triaged, annotated, and delivered. Provide technical interpretation of findings and prepare detailed inspection reports for engineering and asset management teams.
• Drive decision‑making : collaborate with engineers to prioritize maintenance, support defect classification, estimate repair urgency, and contribute to asset life‑cycle management strategies.
• Manage and maintain the UAS fleet : define maintenance schedules, upgrade paths, sensor integration, and budget planning for UAS operations.
• Train, mentor, and certify junior pilots (Levels I & II); develop training curriculum; ensure compliance with SOPs, best practices, and operational safety culture.
• Develop and refine operational SOPs, safety protocols, and regulatory compliance frameworks (including FAA waivers, airspace, site‑specific authorizations) and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Represent the UAS inspection program to stakeholders : utility clients, regulatory bodies, and internal leadership; communicate findings, metrics, safety performance, cost savings, and risk mitigation.
• Operate small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) to inspect electrical infrastructure in accordance with FAA Part 107, company safety procedures, and project work plans.
• Plan, execute, and document aerial missions across varied terrain, including rural, mountainous, and urban environments.
• Capture high‑resolution imagery for inspection and analysis of electrical transmission and distribution components.
• Ensure data quality and consistency following standard flight parameters and detailed capture requirements.
• Maintain detailed flight logs, mission reports, and equipment maintenance records.
• Manage data upload, storage, and transfer processes for timely integration with inspection workflows.
• Coordinate with field inspectors, management, and safety personnel to optimize field efficiency and ensure compliant operations.
• Collaborate with the inspection team (engineers, technicians, site managers) to schedule missions, coordinate ground support, acquire site permissions, and ensure safe launch / recovery zones.
• Follow continuous improvement : stay current with UAS technologies, sensor payloads (e.g., LiDAR, thermal imaging), inspection best practices, and regulatory changes.
• Comply with airspace authorizations, waiver requirements, and local jurisdiction flight restrictions.

Other work duties as assigned.

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES :

EDUCATION :

Benefits

Working Conditions

Physical Job Requirements & Demands

Company Overview

Acuren is a trusted, single‑source provider of technology‑enabled asset protection solutions used to evaluate the structural integrity of critical energy, industrial, and public infrastructures. Committed to delivering a Higher Level of Reliability, Acuren provides an unrivaled spectrum of capabilities including inspection, traditional and advanced NDE / NDT, failure analysis, rope access, materials engineering, field engineering, reliability engineering, drones, robotics, V‑Deck, and condition‑based monitoring services.

Our work is critical to the integrity and safety of industrial firms, including petroleum refinery, pipeline, power generation, pulp & paper, mining, pharmaceutical, aerospace, and automotive industries. Acuren employs over 4,000 dedicated professionals supporting the mechanical integrity and inspection programs of the world's largest industrial segments.

Acuren is a market leader. Our formula for success is straightforward : be capable locally, with certified and well‑equipped personnel supported by trained, experienced leaders. Continuing to build on a strong heritage of safety, quality, and professionalism, Acuren strives to maintain incident‑free work environments, pursue advanced technical developments, and support reliability programs that are valued by clients and employees.

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