UAS. Remote Pilot-in-Command (BVLOS)

Are you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills and talents to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow A position at Xcel Energy could be just what youre looking for.

Job Summary

The UAS Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) is responsible for planning and safely conducting uncrewed aircraft missions that support infrastructure inspections emergency response situational awareness and operational decision-making. This position serves as the designated flight authority for assigned missions and is accountable for mission readiness regulatory compliance safe execution and the quality and integrity of data collected in the field.

RPICs operate across electric and gas infrastructure and frequently support time-critical safety-sensitive and geographically dispersed missions. The role requires sound judgment procedural discipline strong situational awareness and effective coordination with frontline employees control center resources and other members of the Remote Pilot Operations Center (RPOC). Successful incumbents execute standardized operating procedures consistently adapt to changing field conditions and deliver reliable mission outcomes that support safe and efficient operations.

Essential Responsibilities

• Serve as the designated Remote Pilot in Command for assigned UAS operations exercising final operational authority and accountability for flight safety regulatory compliance and mission execution.

• Plan coordinate and execute VLOS BVLOS and DIAB missions under applicable operating procedures authorizations waivers and enterprise standards.

• Conduct pre-flight assessments that evaluate weather airspace terrain site conditions ground hazards people and property communications links aircraft status battery readiness payload security and overall mission risk.

• Perform infrastructure inspections damage assessments emergency response support and situational awareness missions across electric and gas operations using standard and specialized sensor payloads as assigned.

• Maintain continuous awareness of the operating environment and make real-time decisions to adapt delay suspend or terminate missions when conditions create unacceptable risk.

• Coordinate closely with field operations system operators visual observers spotters airspace stakeholders and RPOC team members to ensure safe efficient and aligned mission execution.

• Capture verify and manage high-quality imagery video telemetry and other mission data in accordance with program standards documentation requirements and chain-of-custody expectations where applicable.

• Complete accurate and timely mission documentation including pre-flight and post-flight records maintenance logs flight activity records incident reporting and other required operational documentation.

• Conduct post-flight procedures including system shutdown equipment inspection battery management mission review and escalation of any discrepancies malfunctions safety events or maintenance needs.

• Inspect maintain and safeguard aircraft sensors batteries software field equipment vehicles and support materials to ensure operational readiness and compliance with maintenance and asset control requirements.

• Support mission coordination by aligning field logistics communicating operational constraints and helping ensure timely execution of routine and emergent work.

• Interact professionally with internal stakeholders external partners regulatory entities and members of the public while supporting assigned UAS operations.

• Provide feedback on operational risks process improvements and lessons learned to support ongoing refinement of procedures training and mission execution practices.

Minimum Qualifications

• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate in good standing with the ability to maintain currency and all required qualifications for assigned operations.

• Minimum of 2 years of UAS aviation air traffic control or closely related operational experience.

• Demonstrated experience conducting field operations in industrial utility infrastructure public safety or similarly complex operating environments.

• Demonstrated ability to execute missions in accordance with established procedures safety standards and regulatory requirements while exercising sound judgment in dynamic conditions.

• Experience with mission planning risk assessment pre-flight and post-flight procedures and operational documentation.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain strong situational awareness across multiple assets operating conditions and environmental variables.

• Experience operating or overseeing multiple UAS simultaneously where authorized and operationally applicable.

• Ability to work independently in remote or field-based environments with limited direct supervision.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to coordinate effectively across operational technical and safety-focused stakeholders.

• Willingness and ability to travel work in variable outdoor conditions and support on-call after-hours weekend or emergency response operations as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Air Traffic Control facility ratings military aviation experience or other advanced aviation credentials.

• Experience supporting BVLOS operations waiver-based operations or other advanced UAS mission profiles in regulated environments.

• Experience operating sensor payloads such as thermal zoom LiDAR or other mission-specific technologies.

• Experience performing utility transmission distribution pipeline or other critical infrastructure inspections.

• Knowledge of utility operations emergency response processes incident command principles or field safety practices relevant to infrastructure work.

• Experience contributing to standardization efforts training support or operational process improvement initiatives.

As a leading combination electricity and natural gas energy company Xcel Energy offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity and 1.9 million natural gas customers across eight Western and Midwestern states. At Xcel Energy we strive to be the preferred and trusted provider of the energy our customers need. If youre ready to be a part of something big we invite you to join our team.

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