Airborne Sensor Operator

We are a leading, market-facing professional services firm with more than 50 locations and 2,000 professionals nationwide.

Job Description

Position requires mid-level experience in geospatial and lidar technologies. Preferred experience in operating commercial airborne lidar sensors (Riegl, Leica, Optech) in fixed wing platforms. Candidate should have strong self-motivation with independent working mindset, is expected to operate airborne sensors in field operations aboard fixed wing aircraft. Strong communication skills with the pilot and operations staff are expected, must be able to perform work duties at various times and schedules when optimal flying conditions are present, including nights and weekends. This role will have office geospatial work duties during non-operational times. Training for operating these systems in the aircraft will be provided.

Responsibilities

• Acquire airborne lidar data from fixed wing aircraft
• Work directly with pilot during geospatial data acquisition
• Evaluate weather and environmental conditions prior to each mission
• Collect, download, and ship acquired data from the field to office
• Ensure complete acquisition field logs and reporting are completed
• Ensure safe operation of company equipment
• Coordinate with acquisition, calibration, and project management team
• Post processing of GPS trajectories and acquired data for quality review
• Quality checks on data post acquisition
• Data processing in office environment during non-acquisition periods.
• Create report documentation
• Lead troubleshooting of sensor and software issues and system installation into aircraft
• Facilitate sensor troubleshooting with sensor manufacturers
• Independent Task management
• Problem resolution
• Training and collaboration
• Extensive travel required

Required Skills & Experience

• Must have a valid drivers license, good driving record and ability to pass a driving record background check.
• Bachelor's degree in Geography, GIS, or related field. Or relevant industry experience
• Understanding of GIS, remote sensing, and GPS survey methods
• Prior experience in the GIS/Remote Sensing Field.
• 3+ years of prior experience in sensor operation and airborne data collection
• Ability to travel for up to 4 weeks at a time
• Ability to work and problem solve in remote environments independently of office teams
• Comfortable flying in small aircraft in various environments
• Proficiency in basic computer applications, especially MS Office (Word, Excel, and Access).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Specific experience with Riegl and Teledyne Optech Sensors
• Experience in topo-bathymetric lidar
• Experience in airborne mission flight planning.
• Proficiency in viewing lidar datasets in software such as Microstation (Terrasolid), Geocue LP360, or ESRI Arcmap
• Experience in other airborne sensors (imagery, hyperspectral, radar\InSAR\IFSAR, gravimetric\magnetic)
• Experience in processing acquired lidar data in sensor vendor software (Riegl RiProcess, Optech LMS, Leica Cloudpro\HxMap,)
• Experience with processing aircraft trajectories using Applanix Pospac or Novatel Inertial Explorer

Physical Requirements

• Ability to fly airborne missions of 3-6 hours in duration, potentially multiple times per day/night with rest between.
• Work during any period of day, early morning, late evenings, and\or weekends, with adequate rest time between operations.
• Deployed for extended period of times across the US
• Not prone to motion sickness
• Individual ability to lift up to 50lbs
• Ability to climb aircraft ladders (up to 6)
• Ability to operate in outdoor conditions in various seasons, and in aircraft with limited climate controls