Drone Operations Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

What We Offer:
Our excellent salary and benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short and long-term disability coverage, education reimbursement, 401(k), performance bonuses, and an employee stock program. Employee Resource Groups and Programs offered include the Young Professionals Group, Women at Wade Trim, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Professional Development, Leadership Development, Mentor Program, Sustainability Program, and Wellness Program.
Position Description:
Wade Trim is seeking an experienced Survey Manager to lead our Advanced Mapping & Geospatial operations across multiple states. This role manages a team of 10+ survey professionals delivering LiDAR, UAV, 3D scanning, and traditional survey services with a strong emphasis on energy sector clients and cutting-edge geospatial technology applications. The ideal candidate combines strong technical survey expertise with proven leadership capabilities and a passion for advancing digital twin technology, drone operations, and point cloud data extraction methodologies. We recognize exceptional candidates may bring deep expertise in some areas while having growth opportunity in others. If you have strong surveying leadership experience and are passionate about technology advancement, we encourage you to apply.
Key Responsibilities:

• Manage and mentor a team of 10+ professionals across multi-state operations
• Build and develop team capabilities around advanced geospatial technologies
• Foster collaborative culture and cross-office coordination
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching
• Recruit and develop talent to support geographic and technical growth
• Advanced Technology Leadership
• Drive adoption and advancement of digital twin methodologies
• Expand UAV/drone operations and applications across project types
• Lead point cloud data extraction, processing, and deliverable development
• Integrate LiDAR and 3D scanning workflows with client deliverables
• Position Wade Trim as a technology leader in geospatial services

Technical Oversight & Quality Control

• Verify survey methods, calculations, and deliverables meet professional standards
• Review complex boundary analyses, ALTA/NSPS surveys, and construction staking
• Establish and maintain quality standards across multi-state operations
• Protect professional accuracy and compliance with state-specific requirements
• Project Management & Operations
• Oversee project scopes, schedules, budgets, and resource allocation
• Coordinate multi-state survey operations and field crew deployment
• Manage resource allocation and utilization across multi-office operations
• Verify compliance with state-specific regulations and standards (including PHMSA pipeline requirements)
• Monitor project profitability and operational efficiency

Business Development & Strategic Growth

• Support proposal development, project estimating, and technical presentations
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients and project managers
• Identify market opportunities in energy, geospatial, and infrastructure sectors
• Contribute to strategic planning for technology advancement and service expansion
• Advance competitive positioning through innovative geospatial solutions

Safety & Compliance

• Verify adherence to safety protocols for field operations and UAV operations
• Maintain compliance with state licensing requirements across jurisdictions
• Support professional development and continuing education
• Protect professional liability through quality management systems

Education & Licensure:

• Bachelor's degree in Surveying, Geomatics, Civil Engineering, or related field
• Professional Land Surveyor (PLS/PS) license in any state (Pennsylvania, Ohio and/or Michigan strongly preferred)
• Ability to obtain licensure in multiple states

Skills/Experience:

• Minimum 8-10 years professional surveying experience
• Minimum 3-5 years in leadership or management role
• Multi-state project experience
• Experience managing teams of 5+ professionals
• Demonstrated experience with advanced geospatial technologies (LiDAR, UAV)

Leadership & Communication

• Proven ability to lead, develop, and retain technical teams
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Client relationship management experience
• Collaborative approach to cross-functional project teams

• Knowledge of boundary law, ALTA/NSPS standards, and construction surveying
• Proficiency with survey equipment and software (Trimble, AutoCAD Civil 3D, etc.)
• Strong understanding of LiDAR, UAV, and 3D scanning applications
• Point cloud data processing and extraction capabilities
• GIS and geospatial data management experience
• Digital twin methodology knowledge or demonstrated ability to learn

About Wade Trim:
Wade Trim is committed to maximizing the value of infrastructure investments. We've been solving complex engineering challenges for a century. We customize our work approach to fit each project using a collaborative, friendly style to deliver solutions our clients can stand behind.
Our supportive culture recognizes and strives to fulfill collective client, company, and individual needs. Mentoring and building skills of Wade Trim staff is a priority. Frequent interaction among staff is encouraged, company leadership is easily accessible, and opportunities are provided for staff to help shape the firm's future through strategic planning. Work/life balance is supported through a flexible, hybrid work schedule that brings team members together in the office at least three days a week and connects them virtually when working from home.
To solve our clients' toughest challenges, we've devoted ourselves to delivering innovative solutions. Our Office of Applied Technology (OAT) is dedicated to seeking new technologies or ways to apply existing technologies to enhance value to our clients and positively impact communities. All staff are encouraged to share ideas and suggestions for innovative technologies or processes to adopt. This open-minded approach enables us to advance technology, foster innovation, and stay ahead of our clients' needs.
Wade Trim's success is shared by the employees that make it happen. Since our beginning, our firm has been 100% employee owned. This cultivates an ownership mindset that benefits our work approach, collaborative culture, and ability to deliver client solutions. We believe employee ownership drives the sustainability and growth of our firm and provides all our employees with opportunities for financial success.
If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career in a friendly environment, please submit your resume by visiting the Careers section of our website at http://www.wadetrim.com/careers.
Wade Trim does not accept unsolicited resumes, candidate profiles, or CVs from third-party recruiters or employment agencies. Any submission made without a valid, signed agreement and an approved engagement request from Wade Trim's People Services Team will be considered the property of Wade Trim. Wade Trim reserves the right to pursue and hire any candidate submitted through unsolicited means without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. A valid agreement can only be signed by the Director of People Services. Resumes or candidate profiles submitted at the request of a Wade Trim employee who is not authorized by the People Services team do not constitute a valid engagement. Recruiters and agencies must have a current, written agreement authorized by the Director of People Services to be considered an approved vendor.
Wade Trim is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.