UAS Pilot I

About the job

Important Application Submission Information
In order to ensure your application is successfully received before the job posting expires, please submit your application by 11:59 PM on Monday, October 12, 2026
More than a career - a chance to make a difference in people's lives.

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.

Job Summary

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.

A UAS Pilot I 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.

Responsibilities

• 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

• HS/GED and two plus years of work related experience.
• FAA Remote Pilot Certificate
• Valid Driver’s License
• Ability to obtain an FAA 2nd Class or FAA 3rd Class Medical Certificate

Desired Qualifications

• 2 year or 4 year 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
• Hybrid Mobility Classification – Work will be performed from both remote and onsite locations after the onboarding period. However, hybrid employees must live within a reasonable commute to their designated Duke Energy facility, not greater than 50 miles one way. Employees are expected to report to their assigned Duke Energy facility as required and directed by their manager, on average 3 full workdays per regular workweek.
• 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.

• Specific Requirements
• Must pass the NC DOT UAS Certification as required
• FAA Remote Pilot Certificate
• 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
• Must load UAS weighing up to 50lbs into transportation vehicles (car, airplanes, etc).

#LI-ZM1
#LI-Hybrid

Travel Requirements
50+%
Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)
No
Represented/Union Position
No
Visa Sponsored Position
No. This is not a Visa Sponsored Position. This role requires the ability to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.

Please note that in order to be considered for this position, you must possess all of the basic/required qualifications.
Privacy
Do Not Sell My Personal Information (CA)
Terms of Use
Accessibility