Digital Automation & RPAS Program Lead (Chief Pilot)

LNG Canada•Kitimat, BC

9d•CA$141,300 - CA$176,600•Hybrid

About The Position

Accountable for the strategy, governance, and technical leadership of LNG Canada’s Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) program as a core operating capability. The role ensures RPAS operations are safe, compliant, scalable, and integrated into enterprise data and autonomy initiatives. The position also provides technical oversight of broader automation solutions—including IoT, robotics, and ROV-enabled inspections—where these systems deliver measurable safety, HSSE, and cost benefits.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a closely related technical field.
Advanced RPAS Certificate – required.
10+ years experience in engineering, automation, aviation, robotics, or safety-critical industrial environments.
Minimum 100 hours RPAS flight time.
Demonstrated experience working with regulators or certification authorities, including: Transport Canada engagement, Development of new interpretations or alternative means of compliance, Contributing to or trend-setting emerging regulatory approaches.
Working knowledge of the Transport Canada SFOC application process, including BVLOS and autonomous RPAS operations.
Proven ability to mature early-stage technical capabilities into stable operating systems.
Strong understanding of aviation risk management, human factors, and HSSE obligations associated with RPAS operations.
Systems-engineering mindset across hardware, software, data, and operations.
Comfortable operating with high accountability and limited precedent.
Able to translate complex technical systems into practical business outcomes.
Clear, concise communicator with regulators, leadership, and technical teams.
Be legally entitled to work in Canada (i.e., by way of Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or valid work permit)
Be located in either Kitimat, BC or Calgary, AB. If Calgary, you will be required to spend minimum one week on site per month, with additional presence as required for business needs
Are willing to comply with LNGC’s drug-free and harassment-free work environment and comply with all safety policies and procedures.
Undergo a pre-placement medical assessment of your fitness for duty, and Pre-Site Access testing for alcohol and specified drugs.

Nice To Haves

Registered Professional Engineer (P.Eng) preferred.
Level 1 “Complex” RPAS operations experience – strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Act as Chief Pilot and Airspace Area Authority for LNGC RPAS operations.
Fulfil the formal aviation legal and regulatory responsibilities of the Chief Pilot role, including operational control, human factors, aviation risk management, and HSSE accountability.
Lead engagement with Transport Canada and other aviation stakeholders.
Maintain and evolve SFOC approvals, airspace permissions, and aviation governance.
Translate regulatory approvals (e.g., BVLOS, altitude, autonomous operations) into safe, repeatable operational capability.
Define and maintain a multi-year RPAS strategy aligned with business needs, regulatory posture, and value delivery.
Position RPAS as dependable operating infrastructure rather than ad-hoc innovation.
Establish and govern RPAS service lines with clear operating standards and constraints.
Inform resourcing, contractor integration, and availability models as the program scales.
Own the backend data architecture for RPAS-generated data.
Ensure data quality, governance, traceability, and alignment with enterprise data platforms.
Design the architecture such that other automation systems—including IoT, robotics, and ROV platforms—can integrate into the same data ecosystem.
Work with IM/IT and Asset Excellence to ensure platform consistency and long-term scalability.
Provide technical oversight of automation and robotics initiatives where they intersect with autonomy, remote operations, or data collection.
Support the deployment of ROV-based inspection solutions, particularly for underwater and marine environments, recognizing their role in significantly reducing cost and operational risk relative to diver-only methods.
Ensure all automation solutions are evidence-based, regulator-aware, and operationally supportable.
Provide systems-level technical leadership across aircraft, sensors, autonomy platforms, and operating environments.
Act as LNGC’s senior technical counterpart with OEMs, vendors, and service providers.
Support procurement, vendor evaluation, and lifecycle governance.
Maintain documentation and reporting to support compliance, auditability, and leadership oversight.