Renewable Energy Jobs tagged "Drones"

Drones Jobs in Renewable Energy

What Drone Operations Actually Involve

Drone work in renewable energy goes well beyond piloting. These roles combine aerial operations with data analysis, regulatory compliance, and safety management. A solar site surveyor collects thermographic imagery to identify defective panels, then processes that data to prioritize maintenance. An aviation safety manager at a major utility like Hydro Québec coordinates flight operations across hydroelectric facilities while managing aviation regulations and incident protocols.

The work splits between field operations (flying missions, often in challenging weather), data processing (analyzing thousands of images for anomalies), and compliance (managing aviation authority requirements). Many roles require both Part 107 certification (or equivalent) and technical understanding of the energy systems being inspected.

Who's Hiring and What They Need

Three company types dominate drone hiring in renewables. Large utilities use drones for infrastructure inspection across generation and transmission assets. Solar developers like All Energy Solar employ surveyors for pre-construction site assessment and post-installation quality control. Specialized service providers offer drone inspection as a contractor service to multiple operators.

Backgrounds that succeed combine piloting skills with technical expertise. Former utility workers transition well because they understand the equipment being inspected. Remote Sensing specialists bring valuable photogrammetry and data analysis skills. Engineers with GIS experience excel at surveying roles.

In-Demand Specializations

Current openings reflect the field's maturity. Aviation safety managers handle regulatory compliance and fleet operations. Engineering technicians conduct site visits with drone support. Research positions focus on advancing autonomous inspection capabilities and AI-powered defect detection. Site surveyors remain in steady demand across Solar Energy and Wind Energy projects.

The field is moving toward integrated roles. Companies increasingly want operators who can both fly missions and analyze the resulting data, rather than splitting these functions. Positions combining drone operations with Machine Learning for automated defect detection command premiums, as do roles managing autonomous flight operations.