UAS Pilot

Leidos • Pittsburgh, PA

1d • $80,000 - $90,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Leidos is seeking a highly experienced and motivated UAS Pilot to join their team in Pittsburgh, PA. In this role, you will contribute to a variety of research-driven efforts, including aerial imaging, Methane detection, magnetometry, and LiDAR collection. Working alongside data scientists, engineers, geologists, and computer scientists, you will be part of a multi-disciplinary, scientific, and technically oriented national laboratory team focused on producing technological solutions for America’s energy challenges. A key responsibility will be to locate and characterize emissions from natural gas infrastructure using a combination of ground and aerial surveying techniques. Beyond piloting the UAS, the selected candidate will support improvements to operating procedure development, pre-flight processes, and maintenance tracking efforts. The team is looking for a candidate with a strong background in UAS operation, surveying, and field work. Familiarity with the U.S. EPA Greenhouse Gas Inventory structure and sources of data, particularly regarding emissions from the oil and natural gas sector, is a plus. You will also have the opportunity to co-author reports, manuscripts, and articles suitable for publication. This position is onsite at the NETL campus in Pittsburgh, PA, and requires up to 50% travel.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field of study with 5+ years of relevant field based technical experience. Additional years of related work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Current FAA Part 107 License and understanding of regulations for UAS operation and flight planning.
• 300+ hours of logged UAS flight hours.
• Significant experience with heavy lift drones, performing surveys with payloads such as LiDAR, Magnetometers, infrared cameras, or gas sensors.
• Experience with field sampling using non drone equipment.
• Thorough understanding of UAS systems, classifications, capabilities, and limitations.
• Experience maintaining drone equipment and field technology.
• Experience training other drone operators to be confident and competent for mission work.
• Experience meeting BLUE compliance when purchasing UAS equipment.
• Strong experience in planning and executing field sampling campaigns, collecting field-based environmental data, and navigating complex environment safely.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as this position requires extensive interface with clients and potential collaborative partners.
• Ability to travel to the other NETL campuses as business needs require (up to 50%).
• Must be able to meet the requirements for gaining access to work on the NETL campus.
• U.S. Citizen.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with government clients.
• Experience locating natural gas storage wells using UAS equipment.
• Certifications for UAS operations related to aerial photography, thermal imaging, and/or surveying.
• Experience with using analytical instruments including calibration, repair, and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with using meteorological instruments (e.g., 3D ultrasonic anemometers, wind gauges, etc.) including calibration, repair, and troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Pilot, assemble, and maintain UAS with sensor payloads including IR cameras, methane sensors, and/or magnetometers.
• Install, operate, and maintain various drone-based sensor technologies.
• Support NETL’s UAS program and demonstrate capability of operating within government guidelines.
• Design field campaigns for collection of environmental data in multiple regions.
• Develop standard operating procedures for each UAS, including pre-flight checks and maintenance logs.
• Perform ground-based techniques to measure emissions from natural gas infrastructure.
• Prepare summaries of executed field missions including technical write-ups of data collected.
• Assist NETL staff to obtain cooperation from site operators, entities having jurisdiction over public lands, and/or private landowners to secure site access agreements for field campaigns.
• Report on a weekly basis to update project managers and clients.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees