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Build an exciting, rewarding career with us – help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits.

Depending upon the desired qualifications of the successful applicant, the hiring manager may elect to fill this position at a higher level within the job hierarchy.

This position will start at Mt Holly Training Center in Mt Holly, NC. However, location will move to Toddville Operations Center in 2024.

Job Summary

A UAS Pilot I or II will be responsible for executing UAS missions for a variety of Duke Energy business units, in a variety of geographic locations, leveraging a variety of aircraft and sensors. This person will also serve as the trainer for other UAS Pilots.

See more information about our Unmanned Aircraft Systems Department here (full link at the bottom).

Responsibilities

• Designated UAS Pilot Trainer
• Pilot Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), act as a Visual Observer (VO), or Payload Operator (PO) in accordance with federal, state, and local laws as well as company directives.
• Communicate directly with internal and external stakeholders regarding mission planning and execution of assigned activities.
• Manage data collected via UAS and perform data quality assurance tasks to ensure accurate data is used in reports, databases, and file structures. Provides complete and accurate data sets to UAS Data/Sensor Specialists.
• Performs pre-mission planning, flight notifications, automation planning, pre-job briefings, risk assessments, debriefings, and post-mission reporting in accordance with the Flight Operations Manual (FOM).
• Identifies and troubleshoots UAS maintenance discrepancies and performs minor systems integration and maintenance tasks.
• Accurately reports flight time, maintenance discrepancies, and accidents in accordance with federal regulations and guidance as well as company policy.
• Actively participates in the Aviation Services Safety Management System (SMS).
• Other non-flying tasks supporting the execution of UAS Missions and the continued integration of the technology at Duke Energy.

Basic/Required Qualifications

Note: This posting is for one open position. Dependent on relative experience, the level to which a candidate is aligned is outlined below.

Unmanned Aerial Systems Pilot I

• High school diploma/GED
• FAA Remote Pilot Certification

Unmanned Aerial Systems Pilot II

• Associates degree in aeronautical or other related degree
• In addition to associates degree, two (2) years minimum of related work experience
• In lieu of associates degree AND two (2) years minimum of related work experience, high school diploma/GED AND four (4) years minimum of related work experience

Specific Requirements

• Must pass the NC DOT UAS Certification as required
• Valid Driver’s License
• Ability to obtain an FAA 2nd Class or FAA 3rd Class Medical Certificate
• Documented 250hrs Total RPIC Time
• Documented 125hrs Total RPIC Time conducting commercial Utility Inspections
• Proficient with Microsoft operating systems and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, File Explorer)
• Must be able to handle confidential, internal, or need-to-know information or situations effectively, and without breaching confidentiality

Desired Qualifications

• Two (2) years minimum of experience flying unmanned aircraft systems
• 2yr or 4yr degree in aeronautics or another STEM related field of study
• Manned Aviation Certificates and/or Ratings (Sport Pilot, Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, ATP, Instrument)
• Current FAA 2nd Class or FAA 3rd Class Medical
• Demonstrated interpersonal, human relations and communications skills to work efficiently with customers, teammates, and management.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Safety Management Systems (SMS), Single Pilot Resource Management (SRM), Safety Risk Management (SRM), Crew Resource Management (CRM)
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems and provide new perspectives on existing solutions
• Experience with various fixed wing, vertical take-off & landing (VTOL), and multirotor platforms to include those models manufactured by: Autel, DJI, Flyability, FreeFly, Parrot, Percepto, Skydio, Wingtra
• Experience with various sensor types to include: Electro-Optical (EO), Infrared (SWIR; MWIR; LWIR), Multispectral, Hyperspectral, LiDAR, Optical Gas Imaging (OGI), Laser Ranging
• FPV Flight Experience and/or flight utilizing aircraft without GPS positioning
• Extensive knowledge of Federal Aviation Regulations, airspace, weather, and aircraft performance.
• Understanding of data analytics and data processing.
• Ability to effectively influence and advise upper management.
• Ability to conduct effective meetings.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and accurately using oral and written communications.
• Effective presentation skills.
• Effectively negotiates with others to reach agreement which will meet the organization’s needs and those of others.
• Ability to work with a diverse team and to show sensitively and concern for the needs/views of other teammates; treats other employees with respect and inclusivity.

Working Conditions

• Must load UAS weighing up to 50lbs into transportation vehicles (car, airplanes, etc).
• Heavy travel involving extensive periods of time away from home including international destinations.
• Required to work weekends and holidays as necessary.
• Duty may include any time of day or night as required.
• May be required to be on standby status if not on official vacation.
• Required to respond to storm and outage related events.
• Pre-flight, flight operations, post-flight and aircraft servicing is accomplished outside in all weather conditions and extreme noise levels associated with powerplant operations.
• Normal aircraft operations involve flight from various altitudes and in varying degrees of weather conditions.
• Field work is often required and involves walking through brush, heavily wooded areas, and on uneven terrain.
• Several continuous hours of standing per day can be expected.
• Travel 75% of time to be expected.
• Field mobility classification – work will be performed in various field locations, as needed, after the onboarding period. However, field employees are required to live within a reasonable daily commute to their assigned work location.

Full article link: https://illumination.duke-energy.com/articles/drones-help-duke-energy-work-safer-more-efficiently

Travel Requirements

Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)

Represented/Union Position

Visa Sponsored Position

Posting Expiration Date

All job postings expire at 12:01 AM on the posting expiration date.

Please note that in order to be considered for this position, you must possess all of the basic/required qualifications.

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