Drone Pilot
BeneschSimply Put, A Great Place to Work
Benesch is a growing, multi-disciplined planning, engineering, and professional services firm. We enhance infrastructure and communities across the country – creating spaces and providing connections in ways that make a difference.
We pride ourselves on being nimble enough to remain responsive to client needs yet large enough to offer exceptional bench strength. As a member of our team, you’ll have an opportunity to draw from those resources when you need them and, likewise, contribute your expertise when you have something to share.
At Benesch, we are looking for candidates with varied backgrounds and worldviews. Diverse ideas come from diverse people, and we are committed to offering an inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and respected. Statistics show that women and underrepresented groups are less likely to apply for a position if they don’t meet 100% of the qualifications. If this statement resonates with you, don’t be so hard on yourself—apply for the job!
Drone Pilot
We are seeking a skilled and certified Drone Pilot with a strong technical background to join our team as a Technical Specialist in the Railroad Division. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in supporting our land surveying and engineering efforts by operating drones to capture high-quality aerial data. Your work will be essential in aiding the planning, design, and maintenance of railroad infrastructure. You will work closely with our engineering team to ensure data accuracy and project success.
Benesch’s Railroad Division is made up of highly skilled rail professionals, many of whom are former employees of operating railroads. This firsthand experience working to design and maintain active rail systems uniquely equips our team to develop innovative solutions to a wide variety of rail projects.
Location:
This role will be remote, with required travel to various project sites across the country.
The Impact You Will Have
- Operate drones to conduct aerial surveys of railroad tracks, bridges, tunnels, and other infrastructure.
- Capture high-resolution images and videos for topographic mapping, modeling, site inspections, and engineering analysis.
- Process and analyze aerial data to produce detailed maps, models, and reports.
- Collaborate with surveyors, engineers, and project managers to interpret data and provide actionable insights.
- Ensure compliance with FAA regulations and company safety protocols.
- Maintain and troubleshoot drone equipment to ensure optimal performance.
- Travel to various project sites across the country as required.
What We Are Looking For
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Bachelor’s degree in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Geomatics, Surveying, Engineering, or a related field preferred
- Valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
- Proven experience in drone piloting, preferably in land surveying or engineering applications.
- Proficiency in using drone flight planning and data processing software (e.g., Bentley iTwin Platform, Pix4D, Agisoft Metashape).
- Knowledge of CAD software (e.g., Microstation, Civil 3D) preferred.
- Strong understanding of photogrammetry and LiDAR principles.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Willingness to travel extensively and work in various outdoor conditions.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Valid driver’s license with safe motor vehicle record.
- Experience in the railroad industry or infrastructure projects preferred. #LI-MM1
Explore the Benefits of Working at Benesch!
At Benesch, we prioritize the health and wellness of our employees, understanding that their well-being is crucial for both personal and professional success. We offer a range of benefits for eligible employees, including insurance, retirement plans, and wellness programs. Our Total Rewards package is designed to support a healthy lifestyle and can be customized to meet the needs of our employees and their families. Click here to learn more about some of the benefits of working at Benesch!
Professional Development
- Opportunities for management and leadership development at all levels, including executive coaching and leadership development for Group Managers, Division Managers, and Executive Leaders
- Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses
- Ongoing professional development through resources like Red Vector, LinkedIn Learning, technical team meetings, knowledge-sharing training sessions
- Personalized training and career development plans with your manager
- Funding for training, committee work, professional organization memberships, and licenses/certifications
- Support for active participation in professional organizations to foster leadership and community engagement
Retirement Benefits
- Access to valuable retirement planning tools, education, and individual meetings with plan advisors at no charge
- Potential for Benesch to contribute up to 9% of your gross compensation to your retirement plan (5% profit-sharing contribution to your 401(k) plan, regardless of your own contributions & 80% match on your contributions, up to a maximum company contribution of 4%)
Work/Life Balance
- Flexible work schedules and hours, including work-from-home options (dependent on the role)
- Generous Paid Time Benefits (PTB) that increase with your career
- Immediate use of annual PTB; no accrual needed with the ability to bundle time-off plans for extended vacations or life events
- Ten days of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster placement
Employee Engagement
- Opportunities to contribute beyond regular job duties
- Work-Life Team: Implements programs to boost productivity and work-life balance
- Rewards & Recognition Team: Cultivates a culture of appreciation
- Corporate Social Responsibility Team: Manages matching gift programs, community service, student scholarships, and more
- Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Team: Promotes positive change and supports a diverse workforce.
If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents linked here.
Benesch is an Equal Employment Opportunity/ Affirmative Action/ Disability/ Protected Veteran Employer. Qualified applicants are evaluated without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation or belief, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic. For more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the below documents:
Know your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal
For more information about pay transparency, please download the below document:
Pay Transparency Policy Statement
We will be accepting applications on an ongoing basis until a candidate is found.
Benesch is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with a physical disability or other impairment.
If you are limited in your ability or are unable to access Benesch's Careers website due to a physical disability or other impairment, you may request a reasonable accommodation by emailing TalentAcquisition@benesch.com. This option is only available to those in need of an accommodation due to a disability or other impairment. Please do not use this as an alternative method for general inquiries or status on applications, as you will not receive a response. Reasonable requests will be responded to as soon as possible on a case-by-case basis.
Recruiters or staffing agencies: Benesch is not obligated to compensate any external recruiter or search firm who presents a candidate, their resume, or profile to a Benesch employee without a recent, current, and fully executed agreement on file. Please direct all communications to the HR team at TalentAcquisition@Benesch.com