2

Remote Aerial Mapping Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Lidar Calibration Analyst

Fairfax, VA · On-site +1

$55K - $71K/yr

Remote positions will be considered dependent on experience. This is an excellent career ... Strong candidates will also have a strong understanding of aerial acquisition, GPS ground survey ...

FORESTER

Quantico, VA · On-site +1

$85K - $111K/yr

You will develop forest area timber harvest plans based on field sample plots, maps, aerial ... remote or isolated sites. You must be able to travel on military and commercial aircraft for ...

Remote Aerial Mapping information

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in remote aerial mapping, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in remote aerial mapping often encounter challenges such as maintaining data accuracy in varying weather conditions, managing large sets of geospatial data, and ensuring compliance with airspace regulations. Collaboration with GIS analysts and survey teams is crucial to validate data and optimize workflows. Staying updated on drone technology and mapping software, as well as proactively communicating with project stakeholders, helps address these challenges and ensures smooth project execution.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in remote aerial mapping, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Remote Aerial Mapping Specialist, you need a strong background in geospatial analysis, remote sensing, and GIS, often supported by a degree in geography, surveying, or a related field. Familiarity with drone operation, photogrammetry software (such as Pix4D or DroneDeploy), and certification as a drone pilot (e.g., FAA Part 107) are typically required. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are essential soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure accurate data collection, high-quality map production, and clear client deliverables in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

What is the difference between Remote Aerial Mapping vs Remote Drone Inspection?

AspectRemote Aerial MappingRemote Drone Inspection
CredentialsFAA drone certification, GIS knowledgeFAA drone certification, industry-specific certifications
Work EnvironmentOffice-based planning, field drone operationField inspections, data analysis in office
Industry UsageMapping, surveying, GIS projectsInfrastructure, industrial inspections
Search & ComparisonOften compared for aerial data collection rolesRelated but more focused on inspections

Remote Aerial Mapping involves creating detailed maps and GIS data using drones, often combining office planning with field flights. Remote Drone Inspection focuses on inspecting infrastructure or industrial sites for maintenance or safety, requiring specialized certifications. Both roles utilize drone technology but serve different industry needs and workflows.

What is remote aerial mapping?

Remote aerial mapping is the process of capturing images or data from the air using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, or aircraft to create detailed maps of the Earth's surface. This technology allows for the collection of geospatial information over large areas quickly and efficiently, without the need for physical access to the land. It is commonly used in industries such as agriculture, construction, environmental monitoring, and surveying to produce high-resolution maps, 3D models, and topographic data.
What are the most commonly searched types of Aerial Mapping jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Aerial Mapping jobs in Virginia are:
What job categories do people searching Remote Aerial Mapping jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Remote Aerial Mapping jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Remote Aerial Mapping jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Remote Aerial Mapping job openings:
Infographic showing various Remote Aerial Mapping job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% Remote job distribution.

Lidar Calibration Analyst

Dewberry

Fairfax, VA • On-site, Remote

$55K - $71K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago


Dewberry rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Dewberry is currently seeking a Lidar Calibration Analyst in our Tampa, FL or Fairfax, VA offices. Remote positions will be considered dependent on experience. This is an excellent career opportunity for an individual to join a team of professionals while working in a multidisciplinary consulting and engineering firm. The firm succeeds through the individual and collaborative skills of its people therefore we offer opportunities for professional growth while working with and applying the latest technology. Typical responsibilities are to work on the GIS/IT and Remote Sensing related projects for state and federal clients across the US.

Dewberry is a leading, market-facing professional services firm with more than 60 locations and 2,500 professionals nationwide. What sets us apart from our competitors are our people. At Dewberry, we seek out exceptional talent and strive to deliver the highest quality of services to our clients. Whether you’re an experienced professional or a new graduate, you’ll have the chance to collaborate with the best and brightest and work on innovative and complex projects at the forefront of the industry. Our commitment to excellence stems from our personal integrity and from other defining attributes, which we call “Dewberry at Work,” that have inspired our employees to be successful for more than a half-century.


Position requires experience in sensor or swath calibration and alignment adjustment. Preferred experience using mainstream commercial software suites (Bayesmap StripAlign, TerraSolid Products) or adjustments done in sensor vendor specific suites (Optech LMS, Riegl RiProcess,). Candidate should have strong conceptual understanding of sources of error in airborne lidar datasets and visualizing translation and orientation errors. Experience in alignment of terrestrial, mobile, UAV lidar datasets, or experience in academic environments is also desirable. Additional preferred candidate experience would include airborne lidar trajectory processing (Applanix PosPac MMS, Novatel Inertial Explorer), and in extracting lidar using sensor vendor specific processing suites (Riegl RiProcess, Optech LMS, Teledyne CARIS, GeoCue True View EVO). Strong candidates will also have a strong understanding of aerial acquisition, GPS ground survey, and bathymetric calibration.

  • Quality checks on data post acquisition
  • Airborne and/or mobile trajectory processing
  • Processing and extraction of Lidar data from raw formats
  • Performing relative and absolute adjustments to Lidar data (calibration/alignment/registration)
  • Perform QA/QC on processed data to ensure it meets rigorous accuracy requirements
  • Document QA/QC findings and communicate results to project managers and technical staff
  • Create a variety of digital mapping/remotely sensed products using various software platforms
  • Create and manipulate databases
  • Elevation data processing and manipulation
  • Problem solving

  • Bachelor's degree in Geography, GIS, or related field
  • 2+ years of experience in the GIS/Remote Sensing Field
  • Experience in either Lidar data extraction and/or swath alignment
  • Required experience in Lidar processing and elevation model creation/manipulation
  • In-depth knowledge of ESRI's software
  • Terrascan
  • PLTS tool kit experience a plus
  • Proficiency in basic computer applications, especially MS Office (Word, Excel, and Access)
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills

Must have a valid driver’s license, good driving record and ability to pass a driving record background check.

*At this time, Dewberry will not sponsor a new applicant for work authorization.

*Dewberry is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation.

*Only recipients of an offer of employment from Dewberry, will be required to submit to a background screening which may include, but is not limited to, employment verification, educational and other credential verification, driving record check, criminal background check, and an investigative consumer report. These screenings will be conducted by Dewberry’s background vendor of choice and will be conducted in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local law.

#LI-EB1


The projected range for this position is $55,000-$71,000 annually. Depending upon other factors, i.e., skills, experience, location, market conditions, the range may vary slightly.



What Dewberry employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom