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Utility Inspection Drone Pilot Jobs in Portland, OR

Quanta Services

Field A&P Mechanic

Aurora, OR

$30 - $39.25/hr

We provide best-in-breed utility helicopters and crews to support projects of all complexities and ... Complete inspections when due, utilizing the appropriate checklist. * Change time-life/overhaul ...

Winco

Field A&P Mechanic

Aurora, OR

$30 - $39.25/hr

We provide best-in-breed utility helicopters and crews to support projects of all complexities and ... Complete inspections when due, utilizing the appropriate checklist. * Change time-life/overhaul ...

Winco

Field A&P Mechanic

Aurora, OR · On-site

$30 - $39.25/hr

We provide best-in-breed utility helicopters and crews to support projects of all complexities and ... Complete inspections when due, utilizing the appropriate checklist. * Change time-life/overhaul ...

Quanta Services

Apprentice Field A&P Mechanic

Aurora, OR · On-site

$30 - $39.25/hr

We provide best-in-breed utility helicopters and crews to support projects of all complexities and ... Shadow and support aircraft inspections, learning to utilize the appropriate checklist under direct ...

Winco

Apprentice Field A&P Mechanic

Aurora, OR · On-site

$30 - $39.25/hr

We provide best-in-breed utility helicopters and crews to support projects of all complexities and ... Shadow and support aircraft inspections, learning to utilize the appropriate checklist under direct ...

Winco

Apprentice Field A&P Mechanic

Aurora, OR · On-site

$30 - $39.25/hr

We provide best-in-breed utility helicopters and crews to support projects of all complexities and ... Shadow and support aircraft inspections, learning to utilize the appropriate checklist under direct ...

Winco

Aerial Lineman

Aurora, OR

$22 - $30/hr

We provide best-in-breed utility helicopters and crews to support projects of all complexities and ... As an aerial lineman, you'll play a critical role in the installation, inspection, and repair of ...

Quanta Services

Aerial Lineman

Aurora, OR · On-site

$22 - $30/hr

We provide best-in-breed utility helicopters and crews to support projects of all complexities and ... As an aerial lineman, you'll play a critical role in the installation, inspection, and repair of ...

Winco

Aerial Lineman

Aurora, OR · On-site

$22 - $30/hr

We provide best-in-breed utility helicopters and crews to support projects of all complexities and ... As an aerial lineman, you'll play a critical role in the installation, inspection, and repair of ...

All JobsUtility Inspection Drone Pilot JobsUtility Inspection Drone Pilot Jobs in Portland, OR

Utility Inspection Drone Pilot information

See Portland, OR salary details

$13

$24

$34

How much do utility inspection drone pilot jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for utility inspection drone pilot in Portland, OR is $24.56, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.38 and $27.79 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a utility inspection drone pilot?

Utility Inspection Drone Pilots are professionals who operate drones to inspect infrastructure such as power lines, pipelines, and communication towers. They use drones equipped with cameras and sensors to capture high-resolution images and data, which help identify maintenance issues or potential hazards. This role requires specialized training in drone operation, knowledge of aviation regulations, and often an FAA Part 107 certification. The work improves safety, efficiency, and accuracy compared to traditional manual inspections.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a utility inspection drone pilot?

To thrive as a Utility Inspection Drone Pilot, you need strong knowledge of drone operations, FAA Part 107 certification, and an understanding of utility infrastructure. Familiarity with UAV flight planning software, high-resolution cameras, GIS systems, and data analysis tools is typically required. Excellent attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective communication help ensure accurate inspections and safety compliance. These skills and qualifications are crucial for conducting reliable inspections, maintaining regulatory compliance, and supporting infrastructure safety.

What challenges do utility inspection drone pilots face, and how can they be addressed?

Utility Inspection Drone Pilots often encounter challenges such as adverse weather conditions, navigating complex or obstructed environments, and ensuring regulatory compliance. To address these, pilots should stay up to date with weather forecasts, conduct thorough pre-flight site assessments, and maintain strong communication with ground teams. Additionally, keeping current with FAA regulations and utility company protocols helps ensure safe and efficient inspections. Proactive planning and continuous skills development are key to overcoming these challenges.

What is the difference between Utility Inspection Drone Pilot vs Utility Line Worker?

AspectUtility Inspection Drone PilotUtility Line Worker
CertificationsFAA drone pilot license, safety trainingApprenticeship, OSHA safety certifications
Work EnvironmentAirborne inspections, remote locationsGround-based, utility poles, and lines
Industry UsageInspection, surveying, maintenanceInstallation, repair, maintenance of power lines

While both roles serve the utility industry, the Utility Inspection Drone Pilot specializes in aerial inspections using drones, requiring FAA certification and safety training. In contrast, the Utility Line Worker performs hands-on work on power lines and infrastructure, often requiring apprenticeships and OSHA certifications. The drone pilot focuses on remote, airborne tasks, whereas the line worker is physically present on-site for repairs and installations.

Are utility inspection drone pilots paid well?

Utility inspection drone pilots typically earn competitive wages that vary based on experience, location, and certifications. Salaries can range from around $50,000 to over $100,000 annually, especially for those with specialized skills or in high-demand areas. The job often requires knowledge of drone operation, safety protocols, and sometimes technical maintenance skills.

Is there a big demand for utility inspection drone pilots?

Utility inspection drone pilots are in increasing demand as industries adopt drone technology for infrastructure inspections, maintenance, and safety assessments. The growing use of drones in utility sectors such as power lines, pipelines, and telecommunications has created more job opportunities for qualified pilots with certifications and experience in operating UAVs in challenging environments.

What are popular job titles related to Utility Inspection Drone Pilot jobs in Portland, OR?

For Utility Inspection Drone Pilot jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Utility Inspection Drone Pilot jobs in Portland, OR look for?

The top searched job categories for Utility Inspection Drone Pilot jobs in Portland, OR are:

What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Utility Inspection Drone Pilot jobs?

Cities near Portland, OR with the most Utility Inspection Drone Pilot job openings:

Utility Inspection Drone Pilot jobs near you
Infographic showing various Utility Inspection Drone Pilot job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,087 per year, or $24.6 per hour.

Operations Specialist, Pilot Manufacturing

Vancouver, WA • On-site

Panthalassa
See more jobs at Panthalassaexternal

$53K - $72K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 21 hours ago

Job description

About the Company
We are a renewable energy and ocean technology company committed to rapidly developing and deploying technologies that will ensure a sustainable future for Earth by unlocking the vast energy potential of its oceans. Our focus is on capturing civilizational levels of ultra-low-cost renewable energy for applications including computing and affordable renewable fuels delivered to shore.
The company is a public benefit corporation headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and backed by leading venture capitalists, philanthropic investors, university endowments, and private investment offices. We operate as an idea meritocracy in which the best ideas change the company's direction on a regular basis.
About the Job
We are seeking an Operations Specialist to support the daily operation of our pilot and contract manufacturing facility in Vancouver, Washington.
This is a hands-on, service-oriented role that blends facilities operations, manufacturing support, workplace hospitality, inventory management and general site coordination. Reporting to the Operations Manager for Pilot Manufacturing, the Operations Specialist will help keep the facility safe, organized, stocked, functional, and ready to support demanding fabrication, assembly, testing, and production activities.
The Operations Specialist will frequently be the person who notices what needs attention and takes action before it becomes a disruption. Responsibilities may range from coordinating a facility repair, restocking consumables, receiving a critical shipment, preparing the site for visitors, to resetting shared spaces to supporting vendors, maintaining operational records, and helping resolve requests from manufacturing and engineering teams.
This role is well suited for someone who enjoys variety, takes pride in creating an organized and productive environment, and approaches both technical operations and employee service with a strong sense of ownership.
Responsibilities
Facility and Manufacturing Operations
  • Conduct routine site walks to identify maintenance needs, safety concerns, supply shortages, housekeeping issues, and other conditions that could affect operations.
  • Support the reliable operation of building systems, utilities, shared infrastructure, office areas, breakrooms, and employee facilities.
  • Respond to facility and workplace requests, resolving routine issues directly and escalating technical or safety-critical matters as needed.
  • Coordinate preventive and corrective maintenance with contractors, vendors, and internal teams.
  • Support equipment installation, work-area setup, production changes, and facility improvement projects.
  • Assist with fleet vehicle management, including scheduling maintenance and maintaining records.
  • Assist with shipping, receiving, material staging, and movement of supplies and equipment throughout the facility.
  • Maintain keys, badges, access records, and other assigned site-security processes.

Inventory and Workplace Services
  • Maintain appropriate stock levels for industrial consumables, PPE, janitorial supplies, office materials, food, beverages, coffee, and other workplace essentials.
  • Receive, organize, store, and distribute materials needed to support manufacturing and employee operations.
  • Maintain clean, organized, and functional breakrooms, kitchens, meeting rooms, collaboration areas, and shared spaces.
  • Coordinate catered meals, visitor refreshments, employee events, and related setup and cleanup.
  • Support visiting employees, guests, contractors, and vendors with site access, orientation, workspace setup, and general logistics.

Vendor, Safety, and Compliance Support
  • Serve as an on-site contact for routine maintenance, facilities, hospitality, delivery, and service vendors.
  • Coordinate vendor access and schedules, verify completed work, and escalate performance, cost, quality, or safety concerns.
  • Support purchase requests, invoice reconciliation, expense tracking, and maintenance of vendor and service records.
  • Reinforce site safety expectations and promptly escalate unsafe conditions, incidents, or operational risks.
  • Assist with inspection and readiness of emergency, life-safety, first-aid, spill-response, and evacuation equipment.
  • Coordinate waste, recycling, hazardous-material, and regulated-waste services in accordance with established procedures.
  • Support emergency drills, inspections, audits, and compliance activities under the direction of the Operations Manager and company safety team.

Documentation and Continuous Improvement
  • Maintain SOPs, checklists, inventory records, inspection logs, maintenance documentation, and other operational records.
  • Help establish repeatable processes and service standards as the facility transitions into sustained manufacturing operations.
  • Identify opportunities to improve safety, reliability, organization, cost, and employee productivity.
  • Support incident follow-up, corrective actions, facility projects, and operational-readiness initiatives as assigned.
Required Qualifications
  • 2-4 years of experience in facilities, workplace operations, manufacturing support, hospitality, logistics, industrial services, or a related hands-on role.
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities with consistent follow-through.
  • Service-oriented mindset and interest in helping manufacturing and technical teams work safely and efficiently.
  • Ability to identify problems, use sound judgment, and resolve routine issues independently.
  • Experience coordinating vendors, deliveries, maintenance activities, inventory, or workplace services.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Comfort working in an active industrial or manufacturing environment.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, or similar business applications.
  • Valid driver's license and ability to travel periodically between the Vancouver facility and Portland headquarters.
Desired Qualifications
  • Familiarity with industrial building systems, including HVAC, electrical, compressed air, emergency power, or fire protection.
  • Experience supporting metal fabrication, machining, assembly, prototyping, warehouse, or pilot manufacturing operations.
  • Experience with facilities ticketing, maintenance management, inventory, or vendor-management systems.
  • Basic knowledge of OSHA, environmental, hazardous-waste, or workplace safety requirements.
  • Experience supporting site startups, facility build-outs, equipment installation, or operational-readiness activities.
  • Food-handler, first-aid, forklift, or other relevant operational certifications, or willingness to obtain them.
Skills and Competencies
  • Strong ownership, accountability, and attention to detail.
  • Practical problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
  • Ability to anticipate needs and act proactively.
  • Clear, professional, and responsive communication.
  • Ability to build effective relationships with employees, vendors, contractors, and technical teams.
  • Comfort shifting between facilities, manufacturing, hospitality, logistics, and administrative responsibilities.
  • Commitment to safety, reliability, confidentiality, and excellent service.
Work Environment and Physical Requirements
  • Full-time, on-site position at our Vancouver, Washington pilot and contract manufacturing facility.
  • Work occurs across office, warehouse, fabrication, production, and exterior environments.
  • Personal protective equipment will be required in designated areas.
  • Frequent walking, standing, bending, reaching, and movement throughout the facility.
  • Ability to lift and move items weighing up to 40 pounds independently and heavier items with appropriate assistance or equipment.
  • Occasional early mornings, evenings, or weekends may be required to support critical operations, deliveries, shutdowns, or events.
  • Periodic travel to the Portland headquarters may be required.
Compensation and Benefits
If hired for this full-time role, you will receive:
  • Cash compensation of $31 - $45 per hour, based on experience.
  • Equity in the company. We're all owners and if we're successful, this equity should be far and away the most valuable component of your compensation.
  • A benefits package that helps you take care of yourself and your family, including:
    • Flexible paid time off
    • Health insurance (the company pays 100% of gold-level PPO plan for full-time employees, their partners, and dependents)
    • Dental insurance (the company pays 100% for full-time employees, their partners, and dependents)
    • Vision insurance (the company pays 100% for full-time employees, their partners, and dependents)
    • Disability insurance (the company pays 100% for a policy to provide long-term financial support if you become disabled)
    • Ability to contribute to tax-advantaged accounts, including 401(k), health FSA, and dependent care FSA
Location
This is an on-site position based at our pilot and contract manufacturing facility in Vancouver, Washington.

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