Dudek

As-Needed UAV Operator

San Diego, CA - Seasonal

Who We Are

Dudek is a leading environmental, planning, and engineering firm that helps public and private clients achieve compliance, practicality, and innovation through our project work. Founded in 1980, Dudek has grown steadily to more than 800 professionals across the U.S. and received the Top Workplace Award for 2024.

We invest in our Employees and communities through various initiatives that make Dudek a great place to work! Dudek makes it a priority to DuGood by giving back to the communities in which we live and work, and offer Dudekians the opportunity to take a paid volunteer day each year. Our experts are encouraged to eDUcate school groups about planning, engineering, and preserving the natural and built environments. We promote environmental sustainability through our DuGreen initiative by working to improve our environmental footprint. We also DuWell to educate our associates on their health and wellness. And our Du Something Fun team brings everyone at Dudek together to balance our hard work with exciting activities.

At Dudek, we understand the best problem solving happens when diverse viewpoints and experiences are shared. We recognize that different perspectives, inclusivity, and trust build a stronger culture and add value to our firm. We celebrate our differences and strive to make meaningful progress toward becoming a more diverse company.

Learn more about our culture.

About The Job

Dudek is currently seeking an As-needed UAS Operator to join our team. Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operators are remote pilots of unmanned observation aircrafts, aka UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) that gather remotely sensed data such as imagery and LiDAR point clouds used in mapping applications. Our drone operators are aerial data collection specialists that work in a dynamic work environment and travel around the Western United States. Number of hours will be dependent on project needs.

Learn more about the projects you will have the opportunity to shape.

Who You Are

To thrive at Dudek, you should be comfortable with freedom and accountability. We value collaborative, resourceful, and independent thinkers. We look for curious, solution-focused people who are able to adapt quickly to an ever-changing industry. There is no single way to solve a problem, so we support your creative approaches to solve problems.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

  • Conduct airborne data collection using a variety of sensors including LiDAR, imagery, multispectral, thermal and magnetometers
  • Assist survey Crew Chief in placing aerial targets prior to operation.
  • Create automated mission plans per client requirements
  • Perform preflight and postflight inspections of airframe and payload
  • Perform maintenance on communications equipment, power sources, light/heavy wheeled vehicles
  • Responsible for the maintenance and care of the equipment assigned.
  • Responsible for uploading data collected during the day the night after the flight missions
  • Responsible for completing daily flight logs
  • When not working in the field you would work from an office location nearest to you
  • Travel majority of the time (90%)

Minimum Requirements

  • High School Degree
  • Part 107 Certified operator
  •  Must possess a valid driver’s license and have active personal automobile liability insurance by first day of employment

* As a federal contractor, successful candidates are required to pass the following pre-employment requirements prior to beginning employment: pre - employment drug test and background check.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with various mission planning software (UgCS, DJI Pilot 2, etc.)
  • Experience with DJI M300 RTK, DJI M600 Pro or FreeFly ALTA X preferred
  • Knowledge of Trimble, Leica or Carlson GNSS Receivers
  • Working knowledge of remote sensing techniques such as LiDAR, photogrammetry, and multispectral data collection.
  • Experience using ESRI platforms and other GIS software suites

Physical Requirements

Working Conditions:

  • This job operates in a remote or office-based environment and this role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, etc.
  • This job requires occasional project site visits-based outdoors which can include excessive noise, uneven walking surfaces, extreme weather, moving vehicles and equipment.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met in order to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

  • This job requires working on a computer, sitting or standing for long periods of time in an office or remote office setting.
  • This job requires attending meetings, both in person and virtually as well as speaking on the phone with peers, clients, etc. Speaking, hearing and listening are required.
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Proposed Salary Range: $29.93-$36.58 hourly*

*Final agreed upon compensation will be based on a variety of factors including but not limited to an individual’s related experience, education, certifications, skills, and work location.

Perks of Being a Dudekian

Not only will Dudek provide you with a competitive salary, but we also strive to create an environment that promotes growth, career development, and a flexible work–life balance. Dudek offers an array of benefits, from your typical medical, dental, and vision coverage to the opportunity to share in Dudek’s success through discretionary bonuses, based on firmwide, divisional, and individual performance. We also offer a yearly merit review, an employee stock ownership program, and dog friendly offices! Since we encourage our colleagues to take time off when needed, Dudek also provides a generous vacation package. If you’re tired of an overly structured environment and decision-making process to get your job done, Dudek is a place where your ideas are heard and your initiative is rewarded. Speak with your recruiter to learn more about the great perks of being a Dudekian.

*As-needed and part-time employees are eligible for our 401(k) plan, sick leave, and our Employee Assistance Program (EAP). As-needed and part-time employees have the option of additional benefits like medical benefits and ESOP participation provided they meet minimum hours worked during the 12-month look back measurement period.  Speak with your recruiter to learn more.

Dudek is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by applicable law.

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