Southwest Regional UAS Project Technical Lead

This Opportunity

WSP is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Southwest Regional UAS Project Technical Lead to join our dynamic Geospatial Team in Albuquerque, NM. This position involves overseeing all aspects of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) operations, including managing copter-style and fixed-wing UAS systems, training and mentoring Part 107 pilots, and delivering high-quality geospatial data for topographic surveys and related applications. 

The ideal candidate will be experienced in handling photogrammetry and LiDAR sensors and proficient in data processing and management software such as AutoCAD, MicroStation, Pix4D, and TopoDOT. Previous experience with Riegl LiDAR systems, including RiProcess, RiAcquire, and PosPac, is preferred. 

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a robust and rapidly growing Geospatial team offering ongoing training/mentoring and promotional opportunities, as well as a stable backlog. 

Your Impact

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee regional UAS operations within the Southwest Region.
• Develop and implement long-term strategies for UAS operations, aligning them with organizational goals and markets to drive growth and competitive advantage.
• Lead initiatives to explore and integrate new technologies and methodologies in UAS applications, fostering innovation to enhance capabilities, initiate collaborative research, and expand UAS use cases.
• Training & Mentoring: Develop and lead training programs for Part 107-certified pilots, ensuring thorough understanding of UAS safety regulations, industry standards, and WSP’s best practices.  
• Approve technical strategies for complex projects, ensuring quality and compliance.
• Provide hands-on mentoring in UAS operation and data collection techniques, emphasizing safety, reliability, and efficiency. 
• Drive business development by focusing on UAS/geospatial initiatives and proposal development.
• Work collaboratively with other professionals, engineers, scientists, project control, and technicians on assigned survey tasks.
• Engage in occasional contact with client personnel to schedule and coordinate project survey activities. 
• Remain current in latest UAS knowledge, techniques, and practices.
• Conduct regular safety and skills assessments to ensure the team meets regulatory and WSP standards. 
• Assist with review of digital models and mapping of UAS photogrammetry/LiDAR.
• Assist with quality control review of deliverables.
• Prepare Drone (UAS) panel/control plans.
• Preparation of survey reports.
• Ensure you comply daily with WSP and client specific safety guidelines and provide required safety documentation and records.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Lead innovations in geospatial data collection, data processing, and mentoring on equipment acquisition.

UAS Operations

• Oversee the maintenance, operation, and troubleshooting of both copter-style and fixed-wing UAS systems. Perform flight planning and data acquisition using photogrammetry and LiDAR sensors for topographic surveys and mapping projects. Ensure all UAS missions comply with FAA regulations, industry standards, and WSP’s internal protocols.   
• Data Processing & Management: Manage geospatial data processing workflows, ensuring high-quality deliverables for clients.  
• Utilize software such as RiProcess, RiAcquire, and PosPac (preferred experience) for LiDAR data acquisition and processing. Employ AutoCAD, MicroStation, TopoDOT, TerraScan, and ArcGIS to scope, analyze, and execute deliverables accurately. 

Project & Client Management

• Work closely with project teams to define project scopes, schedules, and deliverables, ensuring alignment with client requirements. 
• Prepare reports, present project results, and provide guidance to ensure on-time and within-budget delivery of services. 
• Support the development of proposals and cost estimates for UAS and geospatial services. 

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Surveying, GIS, or a related field (or equivalent experience.)
• 7 to 10 years of relevant post-education experience in discipline with prior surveying experience in a corporate environment with easements, rights of way, plats, topographic surveys, boundary surveys, property descriptions, and GPS surveys.
• Experience with both public and private sector work (e.g. state, city, county, utility districts, and private land development.)
• Advanced p