Drone Pilot I in San Diego, California at PRIDE RESOURCE PARTNERS LLC

Summary

We are looking for a highly skilled and knowledgeable Drone Pilot to perform detailed overhead infrastructure inspections for transmission and distribution systems.

The Drone Pilot I is an experienced and safety-driven UAS (Drone) Pilot who performs aerial inspections of transmission and distribution infrastructure. This role involves capturing high-resolution imagery and inspection data to support detailed condition assessments and risk-informed maintenance programs for critical utility assets.

The position requires exceptional attention to safety, operational precision, and regulatory compliance in both urban and remote field environments, including High Fire Risk Areas (HFRAs).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct aerial inspection flights on overhead electrical assets using small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) under FAA Part 107.
• Capture and document high-resolution imagery following established 360° inspection and shot-sheet requirements.
• Execute all flight operations in accordance with company and FAA safety standards, maintaining strict adherence to operational risk assessment protocols.
• Complete all pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight procedures, including flight logs, FRATs, and safety briefings.
• Coordinate airspace deconfliction and flight schedules to ensure safe integration with other aerial activities.
• Upload inspection data and imagery to secure cloud platforms using standardized file-naming and metadata conventions.
• Report any incidents, near-misses, or anomalies immediately per internal Safety Management System (SMS) requirements.
• Participate in all required training, orientation, and safety meetings.
• Comply with environmental and site-specific fire-prevention requirements, maintaining readiness to respond to field conditions.
• Interact professionally with landowners, agencies, and the public to facilitate property access and inspection completion.
• Work as part of a 2-person team to conduct all inspections while maintaining strict adherence to safety policies and procedures.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Strong working knowledge of airspace classifications, LAANC, COA procedures, and deconfliction planning.
• Solid understanding of electrical infrastructure components, pole construction, and defect identification principles.
• Familiarity with General Orders 95 & 165 or equivalent overhead construction standards.
• Demonstrated skill operating NDAA-compliant UAS platforms such as Skydio X10, Inspired Flight IF800/IF1200, or equivalent.
• Proficiency in aerial data management, including photo capture, metadata organization, and cloud-based upload workflows.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail.

The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills, making them an invaluable asset to our team and ensuring the smooth, compliant execution of key construction projects.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job will be performed in a field environment.

• The employee may be required to stand; reach with hands and arms, stoop and kneel
• The employee may be subject to walking/traversing through rough terrain and inclement weather.
• The employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions including wet and/or humid conditions
• The employee may be required to sit or stand for long periods of time
• The employee may be required to lift, carry, push, pull or move up to 50 pounds
• The employee may be required to travel
• This position may require working more than 40 hours per week

• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate & Recurrency documentation if certificate is older than 2 years (required).
• Minimum 50 hours of manual flight time for aerial inspection or related field experience in the utility or critical-infrastructure sector within the last 12 months (documented and verifiable), or greater than 100 hours of non-inspection related manual flight time within the last 12 months (automated mapping missions do not count towards manual flight hours). (required)
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record required; ability to travel extensively throughout California and the western region for extended periods of time (up to 100% travel).
• 1-4 years of prior experience in utility inspection, vegetation management, or aerial condition assessment programs preferred
• Experience with GIS and map based work assignment systems for inspection data collection preferred
• Background in electrical, civil, or mechanical inspection disciplines preferred
• OSHA 10 or 30 Construction Safety Certification preferred
• Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship

About Pride Resource Partners

Pride Resource Partners is a certified Great Place to Work company! This credential was earned based on extensive ratings provided by our employees in anonymous surveys conducted by the Great Place to Work organization - the global authority on workplace culture since 1992.

Pride Resource Partners is a leading tech-enabled infrastructure management solutions provider with highly skilled and dedicated consultants who clients entrust to manage their mission-critical infrastructure. Pride Resource Partners was founded with the vision of providing exceptional client service influenced by modern technology to positively impact the utilities, telecom, and construction industries. Pride Resource Partners exists to serve its clients, making every effort to understand their needs to produce a high-quality deliverable specifically tailored to meet custom requirements. Our client-centric philosophy, creative thinking, and innovative solutions, combined with stellar project execution attracts top industry talent. Pride Resource Partners' culture enables its people to deliver industry leading services and products.

Benefits

• 401(k) with 3.5% company match
• 100% employer paid employee-only medical plan
• 100% company paid basic life insurance
• 100% company-paid short term disability
• Optional vision and dental insurance
• Optional long-term disability
• 9 company-paid holidays
• 10 days PTO
• 2 days paid family leave
• 6-weeks maternity leave paid at 100%
• 1-week paternity leave paid at 100%
• Infertility benefits up to $10,000
• Adoption assistance up to $5,000

Note to Recruiters, Placement Agencies, and Similar Organizations

Pride Resource Partners does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Please do not forward unsolicited agency resumes to our jobs alias, website, or to any Pride Resource Partners employee. Pride Resource Partners will not pay fees to any third-party agency or firm and will not be responsible for any agency fees associated with unsolicited resumes. Unsolicited resumes received will be considered the property of Pride Resource Partners and will be processed accordingly.

EEO Statement

Pride Resource Partners provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, national origin, citizenship, genetic information, disability, protected veteran, gender identity, age or any other status protected by law. This policy applies to recruiting, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation, benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment. Pride Resource Partners will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination towards, or harassment of applicants or employees, by anyone at Pride Resource Partners, or anyone working on behalf of Pride Resource Partners