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Uav Operator Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Aquila Corporation

Survey Chief

Terre Haute, IN

... UAV photogrammetry, terrestrial laser scanning, RTK GNSS). Vendor & Technology Management * Evaluate and manage external survey service providers, drone operators, and equipment vendors. * Recommend ...

Aquila Corporation

Survey Chief

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

... UAV photogrammetry, terrestrial laser scanning, RTK GNSS). Vendor & Technology Management * Evaluate and manage external survey service providers, drone operators, and equipment vendors. * Recommend ...

HWC

Survey Crew Chief

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

... operator PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: * Experience with AutoCAD * UAV license Why Work with Us At HWC Engineering, our foundation is built upon a vibrant culture that celebrates diversity, collaboration ...

All JobsUav Operator JobsUav Operator Jobs in Indiana

Uav Operator information

See Indiana salary details

$10

$21

$49

How much do uav operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for uav operator in Indiana is $21.33, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.32 and $20.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is there a demand for drone operators?

Demand for UAV operators is growing across industries such as agriculture, construction, film, and inspection services due to increased use of drone technology. Employers seek skilled operators with certifications and knowledge of FAA regulations, and job opportunities are expanding as drone applications become more widespread.

What is the difference between Uav Operator vs Drone Pilot?

AspectUav OperatorDrone Pilot
CertificationsFAA Part 107 certification often requiredFAA Part 107 certification typically required
Work EnvironmentIndustrial sites, construction, agriculture, surveillanceAerial photography, videography, inspections
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, private companies, militaryMedia companies, real estate, film production

Both Uav Operators and Drone Pilots often hold FAA Part 107 certification and work in similar environments. However, Uav Operators tend to focus more on operational control and data collection in industrial or surveillance settings, while Drone Pilots often specialize in aerial photography and videography for media or real estate. The roles overlap significantly, but the context of work and industry focus can differ.

What is an UAV operator?

A UAV operator is a professional responsible for flying and managing unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones. They operate the aircraft using remote controls or onboard software, often requiring certification and knowledge of safety protocols, navigation, and data collection. UAV operators work in industries such as photography, surveying, agriculture, and defense, often following strict regulations and safety standards.

What is a UAV pilot's salary?

The salary of a UAV pilot typically ranges from $50,000 to $100,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Certified pilots with specialized skills in drone operation and FAA certifications tend to earn higher wages, especially in sectors like aerial surveying, filmmaking, or inspection services.

What are some common challenges UAV Operators face when coordinating with ground teams during missions?

UAV Operators often work closely with ground teams to ensure mission objectives are met efficiently and safely. One common challenge is maintaining clear and consistent communication, especially in dynamic environments where mission parameters can change rapidly. Operators must be adept at interpreting real-time data and relaying critical information to ground personnel, sometimes under tight time constraints. Additionally, synchronizing UAV flight paths with ground team movements requires strong situational awareness and adaptability to avoid operational conflicts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a UAV Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a UAV Operator, you need strong spatial awareness, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of aviation regulations, often supported by a relevant certification such as an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Familiarity with UAV flight control systems, GPS navigation software, and data analysis tools is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, effective communication, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are critical for ensuring safe, efficient UAV operations and for delivering accurate data or services in various industries.

Do drone operators get paid well?

UAV operators, or drone pilots, can earn a competitive salary that varies based on experience, industry, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, but experienced operators working in sectors like film, agriculture, or defense can earn higher wages, often supplemented by certifications and specialized skills.

What does a UAV Operator do?

A UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) Operator is responsible for piloting drones or remotely operated aircraft for various purposes, such as surveillance, mapping, inspections, or deliveries. They plan flight paths, operate the drone systems, monitor equipment, and ensure compliance with aviation regulations. UAV Operators may work in fields like agriculture, construction, law enforcement, or filmmaking, and they often analyze the data or footage collected during flights. Proper training and certification are usually required to operate UAVs professionally and safely.
What are popular job titles related to Uav Operator jobs in Indiana? For Uav Operator jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Uav Operator jobs in Indiana look for? The top searched job categories for Uav Operator jobs in Indiana are:
What cities in Indiana are hiring for Uav Operator jobs? Cities in Indiana with the most Uav Operator job openings:
Uav Operator jobs near you

Survey Chief - Engineering & Construction

Aquila Corporation

Terre Haute, IN • Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Locations: Terre Haute, IN (Hybrid) & Batesville, IN (Hybrid)

Company: Aquila Corporation https://www.aquila.us/

Department: Engineering

Reports To: Engineering Operations Manager

Benefits: Health Insurance, Vision, Dental, Life, PTO

Position Overview

The Survey Chief leads all survey activities that support the planning, design, permitting, and deployment of fiber-optic infrastructure. This role ensures that route-selection surveys, right-of-way (ROW) assessments, underground utility investigations, and construction-site measurements are performed with technical precision, regulatory compliance, and safety as top priorities. By integrating geospatial data, engineering requirements, and construction logistics, the Survey Chief delivers high-quality, actionable survey outputs that enable efficient, cost-effective fiber-optic buildouts.

Key Responsibilities

Functional Area and Core Duties

Strategic Survey Planning

  • Define the overall survey strategy for new fiber routes, upgrades, and maintenance projects.
  • Align survey objectives with engineering design specs, network capacity targets, and construction schedules.
  • Prioritize survey types (aerial, underground, trench, GIS, LiDAR) based on terrain, urban density, and regulatory constraints.

Route & Right-of-Way (ROW) Surveys

  • Oversee aerial and ground-based surveys to map existing utilities, easements, and property boundaries.
  • Ensure accurate capture of clearance envelopes, conduit depths, and pole-mounting locations.
  • Coordinate with local municipalities, utility owners, and land-owner representatives to obtain permits and access agreements.

Geospatial Data Management

  • Manage acquisition and processing of GIS layers, satellite imagery, LiDAR point clouds, and GNSS data.
  • Maintain a centralized spatial database that integrates survey results with network design tools (e.g., ESRI ArcGIS).

Construction-Site Survey Execution

  • Direct field crews in stake-out, as-built verification, trench depth checks, and pole-placement surveys.
  • Implement safety protocols (OSHA, local regulations) for field operations, including traffic control and confined-space entry.

Quality Assurance & Methodology

  • Establish SOPs for survey methodology (sampling intervals, equipment calibration, data validation).
  • Conduct regular QA/QC audits of field data, ensuring positional accuracy (=?±?10?cm for GNSS, =?±?5?cm for LiDAR) and completeness of utility inventories.

Team Leadership & Development

  • Supervise a multidisciplinary team of survey engineers, GIS analysts, field technicians, and contract vendors.
  • Provide coaching on advanced surveying technologies (UAV photogrammetry, terrestrial laser scanning, RTK GNSS).

Vendor & Technology Management

  • Evaluate and manage external survey service providers, drone operators, and equipment vendors.
  • Recommend and integrate new tools (e.g., automated pole-mount detection, AI-enhanced utility clash detection).

Data Analysis & Reporting

  • Translate raw survey data into engineering-ready deliverables: route alignment files, utility clash reports, construction staking packages, and as-built drawings.
  • Produce executive-level status reports highlighting risk factors, schedule impacts, and cost implications.

Stakeholder Coordination

  • Serve as the primary liaison between engineering, construction, permitting, and finance teams.
  • Facilitate workshops to review survey findings, resolve utility conflicts, and adjust design assumptions.

Regulatory Compliance & Permitting

  • Ensure all surveys meet FCC, state, and local utility-mapping regulations (e.g., NPDES, environmental impact assessments).
  • Maintain documentation for audit trails, permit applications, and environmental compliance filings.

Budget & Resource Oversight

  • Develop and track the survey operations budget, controlling costs for equipment, labor, and third-party services.
  • Optimize crew scheduling and equipment utilization to minimize downtime.

Required Qualifications

Requirement and Details

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Geomatics, Surveying, Electrical Engineering, or a related field. A Master’s degree or professional certification (e.g., PLS – Professional Land Surveyor) is preferred.

Experience

  • = 7years of experience conducting surveys for telecommunications or utility infrastructure.
  • = 3 years in a supervisory or lead role managing survey teams and external vendors.

Technical Skills

  • Proficiency with GNSS/RTK, total stations, UAV/drone photogrammetry, and terrestrial LiDAR.
  • Advanced GIS expertise (ArcGIS, QGIS) and familiarity with network-design integration tools (AutoCAD Civil 3D, Bentley MicroStation).
  • Ability to work with engineering software for route optimization and clash detection.

Methodology Expertise

  • Strong grasp of utility mapping standards, right-of-way clearance calculations, and underground utility detection methods (GPR, EM induction).

Regulatory Knowledge

  • Understanding of FCC fiber-optic deployment rules, state ROW statutes, and local permitting processes.

Leadership & Communication

  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, negotiate with municipal authorities, and present technical findings to senior executives.

Safety & Compliance

  • Experience implementing OSHA-compliant field safety programs and managing environmental impact assessments.

Soft Skills

  • Detail-oriented, problem-solver, adaptable to field conditions, and capable of making data-driven decisions under tight timelines.

Preferred Attributes

  • Experience with OSP Fiber and small cell wireless deployments.
  • Familiarity with Trimble equipment (MX50, MX60, MX90, R2, Geode, etc)
  • Familiarity with AI-assisted utility detection or machine-learning-based route optimization.
  • Certified GIS Professional (GISP) or Certified Survey Technician (CST).
  • Background in project management (PMP or equivalent).

Performance Metrics

Metric and Target

Survey Completion Rate

  • = 95 % of planned surveys finished on schedule.

Positional Accuracy

  • GNSS = ±10 cm; LiDAR =±5 cm for critical assets.

Permit Turn-around

  • 90% of permits secured within the projected timeframe.

Risk Mitigation

  • Reduction of utility-conflict incidents by = 30% year-over-year.

Budget Adherence

  • Survey spends within ± 5 % of approved budget.

Team Development

  • Annual training hours per employee = 40 hrs; employee engagement score = 4/5.

The Survey Chief for Fiber-Optic Engineering & Construction is the linchpin that transforms raw field data into reliable, build-ready designs, ensuring our fiber networks are deployed safely, efficiently, and in full regulatory compliance.

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