Remote Sensing & Drone/UAS Program Manager

Portland General Electric•Portland, OR

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

At PGE, our work involves dreaming about, planning for, and realizing a smarter, cleaner, more enduring Oregon neighborhood. Its core to our DNA and we haven’t stopped since we started in 1888. We energize lives, strengthen communities and drive advancements in energy that promote social, economic and environmental progress. We’re always on the lookout for people passionate about leading and being a part of teams that are advancing innovative clean energy solutions that are also affordable and accessible to all. Job Function Summary The Remote Sensing & Drone/UAS Program Manager will oversee, coordinate, and optimize all remote sensing activities across the electric utility, including LiDAR, imagery, drone/UAS operations, and related geospatial data workflows. The role is responsible for delivering accurate, timely, and actionable data products to support asset management, vegetation management, grid reliability, risk assessment, and planning, while developing strategy, policies, and governance for drone/UAS operations. This role also develops and supports business cases, monitors benefits realization, and defines and tracks performance metrics, KPIs, SLAs, and governance dashboards. This position may manage internal teams and/or external partners, drive project prioritization, ensure data quality and governance, and advocate for the strategic value of remote sensing and UAV operations within the organization.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Geospatial Science, Geography, Engineering, Computer Science, Environmental Science, or a related field.
7+ years of experience in remote sensing, GIS, geospatial data management, UAV operations, or a related field; leading programs or large projects preferred.
Knowledge Remote sensing technologies: LiDAR (static, mobile, airborne), photogrammetry, UAV imaging, hyperspectral/multispectral sensing, radar (optional/scoped), and satellite imagery.
UAV/drone operations: flight planning, payload integration, UAS safety management, flight data management, and post-processing workflows.
Geospatial data concepts: coordinate systems, raster/vector data, 3D modeling, point cloud processing, terrain/vegetation classification.
GIS platforms and tools (e.g., ArcGIS Pro/Online, QGIS), and database concepts (spatial databases, SQL).
Data governance, QA/QC, metadata standards, provenance, and data lineage.
Utility domain knowledge: transmission & distribution networks, asset management, vegetation management, right-of-way practices, line clearance, grid reliability.
Regulatory frameworks: FAA UAS rules, waivers/Certificates of Authorization, NERC CIP as applicable, data privacy and security requirements.
Privacy, civil aviation, and community impact considerations related to UAV operations.
Project and program management principles (PMBOK/PRINCE2) and agile/scrum practices as applicable.
Data security and information protection concepts relevant to geospatial data.
Skills Strategic thinking and program leadership with proven ability to build and execute a multi-year remote sensing and UAV roadmap.
Strong data storytelling and the ability to translate technical results into business insights for non-technical stakeholders.
Drone program management, flight operations planning, and vendor management.
Advanced spatial analysis, 3D visualization, feature extraction, change detection, and workflow automation.
Data integration skills: connecting remote sensing outputs to GIS, asset management systems, ERP/CMDBs, and analytics platforms.
Benefit realization planning and tracking, including developing, monitoring, and communicating business case outcomes.
Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management across multiple organizations.
Change management and capability-building: training teams, developing best practices, and fostering a data-driven culture.
Problem-solving mindset with attention to detail and quality under tight deadlines.
Abilities Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously with competing priorities.
Ability to work independently and lead cross-functional teams, including field personnel, data scientists, IT, and operations staff.
Ability to simplify complex technical concepts for executives and field operations.
Ability to scale processes, automate repetitive tasks, and implement repeatable workflows.
Ability to develop, monitor, and optimize performance metrics, KPIs, SLAs, and service delivery against business expectations.
Ability to forge strong partnerships with business units and external partners; adept at stakeholder negotiation and alignment.
Ability to adapt to evolving technology landscapes, regulatory environments, and airspace rules.
Advanced knowledge of project management science, methodologies and standards.
Advanced knowledge of and ability to integrate project management knowledge areas, including project scope, quality, time, cost, communication, procurement, human resources and risk management.
Advanced knowledge of and skill in using software applications such as MS Project, PowerPoint, Word, Excel spreadsheets and graphing, Access, Visio, Maximo and Power Plant.
Advanced knowledge of Project Profile system and PGE email system.
Advanced knowledge of business process reengineering and continuous improvement methods and concepts.
Advanced knowledge of systems thinking concepts and principles.
Advanced knowledge of group problem-solving methods and techniques, including problem analysis, nominal group and brainstorming techniques and consensus building.
Advanced listening skills, including the ability to draw information out and to see things from another’s perspective.
Advanced skills in writing technical and business requirements.
Advanced communication skills, both written and oral, including negotiation, persuasion and presentation skills.
Advanced consulting skills
Advanced decision-making skills
Intermediate enterprise/business awareness skills
Advanced negotiation skills
Advanced organization and prioritization skills
Advanced presentation/facilitation skills
Advanced team-building skills
Advanced written and oral communication skills
Cognitive Ability to adhere to set response times, deadlines and time-sensitive tasks
Ability to follow accuracy standards
Ability to follow through on decision-making tasks
Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively within a team environment
Ability to communicate and problem solve when under stress
Ability to respond and adapt to frequent change
Ability to accept and demonstrate self-awareness when provided constructive feedback
Ability to discern feedback and acknowledge ownership of areas of improvement
Ability to avoid future mistakes by applying reasonable skills to new but similar work situations or tasks
Ability to successfully collaborate with peers, managers and others within the organization
Demonstrates sound memory
Ability to process new information to be applied consistently to work tasks
Schedule/Attendance Ability to adhere to pre-established schedule, including start/stop time and break/lunch schedule
Ability to work long hours
Ability to work a variable schedule
Ability to report to work and perform work during periods of severe inclement weather
Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full-time attendance
Ability to work on-call schedule
Physical Capabilities Driver’s license required
Travel occasionally (Two to three times a month or less)
Computer use (use computer regularly for entire work shift)

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Prefer demonstrated experience managing remote sensing and UAV programs in large operational environments (utility, government, or similar).
Prefer experience with LiDAR data processing (e.g., normalization, classification, feature extraction, canopy height models) and imagery processing (orthomosaics, change detection, classification); UAV data workflows.
Prefer UAV pilot certifications and/or aviation experience; flight operation management with a track record of safe operations.
Project management certification or equivalent experience (PMP, PgMP, or equivalent) is a plus.
FAA Part 107

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Governance Assists leadership in developing Remote Sensing program and UAV program vision and strategy. Maintains and communicates the strategic vision and roadmap for PGE’s remote sensing and drone/UAS operations aligned with company objectives, regulatory requirements, and safety standards. Leads the facilitation and development of policies, procedures, governance frameworks, analysis, and business cases associated with Remote Sensing and UAV programs. Assists Chief Helicopter Pilot in developing, updating and implementing operational processes and procedures associated with drone flights, licensing, and training. Establishes executive-level dashboards and KPIs to track Remote Sensing and UAV program performance, safety metrics, data outcomes, and benefits realization.
Program Development and Management Leads the end-to-end remote sensing and UAV program, including strategy development, roadmaps, budgets, resource planning, and performance measurement. Responsible for leading various program initiatives including geospatial data integration, imagery analysis process improvement, remote sensing strategy implementation, training programs, feasibility studies, and pilot initiatives. Serves as a subject matter expert on Remote Sensing and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) initiatives while developing organizational best practices.
Project Planning and Execution Serves as project manager for large-scale Remote Sensing acquisition projects with responsibility for defining objectives, scoping, budgeting, funding presentations, procurement, closeout and data discrimination. Develops or oversees development of project plans, including work breakdown structure, schedule and cost baselines, overall budget management, dependencies, and resource requirements. Identifies project risks and develops mitigation strategies while ensuring projects deliver quality and value to customers while meeting environmental, cultural and community requirements.
Business Case Development and Benefits Realization Works with project sponsors to define remote sensing objectives and scope while developing business case justifications for Remote Sensing projects. Leads cost-benefit analyses, ROI calculations, and tracks potential and realized benefits such as risk reduction, cost savings, reliability improvements, and safety enhancements. Develops business case templates, approver gates, and post-implementation reviews to ensure realization of expected benefits.
Drone/UAS Operations Management Oversees planning, authorization, and execution of drone flights for LiDAR, imagery, inspection, and other geospatial data collection needs. Ensures compliance with aviation regulations, safety management systems, pilot qualifications, and airspace waivers while managing risk assessments and incident reporting. Coordinates with field operations for safe and efficient payload deployment, mission planning, and data validation.
Technical Oversight and Data Governance Oversees acquisition, processing, storage, analysis, and dissemination of LiDAR, hyperspectral, multispectral imagery, UAV imagery, and other geospatial data. Establishes and enforces data standards, metadata, provenance, QA/QC, and governance for collected datasets. Ensures integration with GIS platforms, asset management systems, and enterprise data warehouses while evaluating and adopting advanced sensing technologies aligned with program goals.
Project Controls and Risk Management Establishes and maintains formal controls to manage and monitor project budget, scope, quality, schedule and risks across the portfolio. Negotiates necessary project changes with managers and sponsors while maintaining and updating overall project plans. Determines appropriate project controls, integrates processes between various organizational units, and identifies critical cost and schedule issues for resolution.
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Develops communication plans and strategies; coordinates with project managers and business unit leaders to provide timely, accurate communication of program plans and project status to stakeholders. Reports accurately on program status, schedules, financials, problems, and risks while promoting adherence to communication standards to reduce inefficiencies and potential inaccuracies.
Process Improvement and Innovation Leads and facilitates program and process improvement activities, assisting managers to identify, understand and improve processes, practices and policies. Establishes process controls to measure baseline and post-improvement performance while acting as a change agent driving continuous improvement. Continuously improves data workflows, automation, and processing pipelines while championing the adoption of open standards and interoperability with enterprise systems.
Vendor and Contract Management Partners with Supply Chain, Legal, IT, Fleet, and project sponsors on vendor contract negotiations related to remote sensing technologies and services. Manages vendor selection, performance monitoring, and compliance with safety, security, and regulatory requirements. Develops technical specifications, prepares requests for proposals (RFPs) and evaluates bids.
Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing Develops and maintains key relationships across the business, including with senior executives, while providing subject matter expertise. Collaborates with, mentors and assists in training other project managers to improve standards and methodology. Partners with customers and other utilities to strengthen and create opportunities to share best practices.
Operational Support and Analytics Translates remote sensing and UAV data into actionable insights for vegetation management, line clearance planning, asset inspection, and outage risk assessment. Supports analytics workflows leveraging geospatial capabilities while producing management-ready reports, dashboards, and executive summaries that monitor realized benefits and value delivery.