The Construction Drone Pilot / UAV Pilot / UAS Technician is responsible for operating unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to support surveying, construction operations, progress tracking, safety inspections, volumetric analysis, and digital project delivery. This role utilizes drone technology, GNSS equipment, photogrammetry software, and BIM integration to provide accurate and actionable data for construction projects.
Principal Duties & Responsibilities:
Surveying & Data Collection
- Perform aerial surveying and mapping operations using unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
- Establish and verify Ground Control Points (GCPs) using GNSS/GPS receivers to ensure accurate survey-grade deliverables.
- Capture high-resolution imagery and LiDAR data for topographic mapping, site analysis, and quantity calculations.
- Generate orthomosaics, digital surface models (DSMs), digital terrain models (DTMs), and 3D models for project planning and execution.
Construction Progress Monitoring
- Conduct weekly or bi-weekly drone flights to document project progress.
- Provide aerial data and reporting to project managers to monitor schedules, productivity, and site conditions.
- Identify and document deviations between planned and actual construction progress.
Safety & Inspection Services
- Perform visual and thermal inspections of roofs, structures, facades, and construction sites.
- Improve safety by reducing the need for personnel to access elevated or hazardous locations.
- Support safety teams with aerial site assessments and documentation.
Quantities & Volumetric Analysis
- Perform stockpile measurements and volumetric calculations using drone-generated point clouds and photogrammetry.
- Provide accurate material quantity reports for earthwork, aggregates, and construction materials.
Environmental & Regulatory Compliance
- Capture and maintain aerial documentation for environmental monitoring and regulatory compliance reporting.
- Support permitting requirements and project recordkeeping with aerial imagery and data.
Marketing & Project Documentation
- Produce high-quality aerial photographs and video content for client presentations, proposals, project updates, and marketing materials.
- Maintain an organized archive of drone imagery and project documentation.
Data Processing & Analysis
- Process drone data using industry-standard software platforms, including:
- Pix4D
- DroneDeploy
- Agisoft Metashape
- Propeller
- Generate accurate deliverables and reports from aerial datasets.
- Integrate drone outputs with survey, GIS, CAD, and BIM platforms.
Salary Range: $70,000 - $85,000, based on experience.
