We're seeking talented professionals. Current job openings are posted below.
Airborne Operations Engineer
Location: Waterloo, IA
Job Type: Full time, exempt
Category: Intermediate or above (3+ years)
Compensation: $75,000-$119,000 annually
Description :
As an airborne operations engineer, you will leverage your technical expertise and problem-solving skills to design, optimize, and oversee complex airborne data acquisition and processing operations. This broad role at our headquarters in Cedar Falls, Iowa demands high intelligence, encompassing engineering innovation, system integration, data analytics, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver cutting-edge geospatial solutions for clients nationwide.
Responsibilities:
- Project Management: Lead the end-to-end management of airborne data collection missions; coordinate acquisition and processing of data; track project timelines, milestones, and deliverables to ensure on-time delivery to clients.
- Aircraft/Sensor Operation & Quality Assurance: Perform crewmember duties as a pilot and/or sensor operator during aerial survey flights, including LiDAR and multispectral imaging missions, while adhering to FAA regulations and company safety protocols; perform data quality checks post-mission to ensure accuracy and completeness.
- Troubleshooting and Problem-Solving: Diagnose and resolve complex technical issues in real-time during flights or post-mission, such as sensor malfunctions, data anomalies, or integration conflicts; employ root-cause analysis and innovative engineering solutions to minimize downtime.
- Research, Development, and Technology Insertion: Evaluate emerging sensors, platforms, AI-assisted tools, and advanced processing algorithms; lead proof-of-concept projects that give Aerial Services, Inc. a competitive edge in accuracy, turnaround time, or new market capabilities.
- Operational Optimization: Analyze and refine flight operations workflows, including mission planning, sensor calibration, and real-time data streaming; collaborate with internal and external teams while analyzing weather conditions, terrain, and airspace restrictions to optimize mission success.
- Aircraft/Sensor Design, Maintenance, and Repairs: Manage aircraft and sensors in an efficient manner; design and implement functional components and processes; coordinate routine and non-routine inspections, maintenance, and repairs for aircraft and survey equipment; troubleshoot issues to minimize downtime and maximize efficiency.
- Inventory and Resource Management: Manage spare parts inventory, tools, equipment, and data; recommend upgrades or replacements for aircraft, equipment, and processes to enhance operational efficiency.
- On-Call and Travel Duties: Be available for on-call help during peak survey seasons; occasional travel to remote job sites for field operations, aircraft repositioning, and emergency maintenance.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, preferred Mechanical or Aerospace
- FAA Private Pilot Certificate/Instrument Rating, SEL
- Aviation or remote sensing industry experience
- Teamwork and ability to communicate and coordinate with and manage external teams/resources
- Interpersonal, organizational, problem-solving and time management skills to work effectively, independently, and remotely
- US Citizenship, Legally employable in the United States without sponsorship. Onboarding will include identity verification through E-Verify.
Preferred Qualifications:
- FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate, SEL/MEL
- CAD design & 3D Printing experience
- Python & Scripting languages for custom workflow automation
- Survey/Mission flying experience
- Geospatial data processing experience
- Aircraft ownership or management
If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your cover letter and resume with the job title in the subject line to careers@aerialservicesinc.com
Aircraft Mechanic/IA
Location: Waterloo, IA
Job Type: Full time, exempt
Category: Intermediate or above (3+ years)
Compensation: $65,000-90,000 annually
Description
As an Aircraft Mechanic, you will be helping our team by maintaining and repairing aircraft, engines, and avionics on a fleet of survey and general aviation aircraft. Aerial Services, Inc. is based at KALO and operates a variety of aircraft nationwide.
Responsibilities:
- Aircraft Maintenance and Repairs: Conduct routine annual and non-routine inspections, maintenance, repairs, and alterations on airframes, engines, and avionics as a qualified A&P mechanic with IA privileges; troubleshoot mechanical issues to minimize downtime and maintain airworthiness.
- Compliance and Documentation: Ensure all aircraft receipts/invoices for company credit-cards, maintenance logs, flight records, and regulatory documentation are accurate and up-to-date; comply with FAA Part 91 requirements.
- On-Call and Travel Duties: Be available for on-call assistance during peak survey seasons; limited travel to remote job sites as needed for field operations or emergency repairs.
- Safety and Risk Management: Participate in safety briefings, risk assessments, and emergency response planning; report any incidents or hazards promptly and contribute to continuous improvement of safety programs.
- Equipment Testing: Coordinate testing and return-to-service instructions prior to missions; test aircraft systems for optimal performance.
- Inventory and Resource Management: Manage spare parts inventory, tools, and equipment; recommend upgrades or replacements for aircraft and equipment to enhance operational efficiency.
- Team Collaboration and Training: Work closely with pilots, outside shops, and internal staff to coordinate and train/mentor about aircraft operations and maintenance best practices.
Required Qualifications:
- A&P Mechanic with IA privileges
- Teamwork and ability to communicate and coordinate with and manage external teams/resources
- Interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills to work effectively and independently
- Strong problem-solving skills & attention to detail
- US Citizenship, Legally employable in the United States without sponsorship. Onboarding will include identity verification through E-Verify.
Preferred Qualifications:
- FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate, SEL/MEL w/ Second Class Medical
- Survey/Mission flying Experience
- A&P Experience with Cessna T206 and other piston aircraft
- Aircraft ownership
If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your cover letter and resume with the job title in the subject line to careers@aerialservicesinc.com
Pilot-A&P – Survey
Location: Waterloo, IA with significant travel
Job Type: Full time, exempt
Category: Intermediate or above (3+ years)
Compensation: $50,000-80,000 annually
Description:
As a Survey Pilot & A&P mechanic, you will be helping our team by operating and repairing aircraft and sensors across the nation. Aerial Services, Inc. is based at KALO and operates a variety of aircraft nationwide.
Responsibilities:
- Aircraft Operation: Safely pilot fixed-wing aircraft during aerial survey flights, including LiDAR, photogrammetry, and multispectral imaging missions, while adhering to FAA regulations and company safety protocols.
- Flight Planning and Coordination: Collaborate with internal teams to plan flight routes, altitudes, and data collection parameters; analyze weather conditions, terrain, and airspace restrictions to optimize mission success.
- Data Collection and Quality Assurance: Operate onboard survey equipment (e.g., cameras, sensors, GPS systems) during flights; perform initial data quality checks post-mission to ensure accuracy and completeness before handover to processing teams.
- Aircraft Maintenance and Repairs: Conduct routine and non-routine inspections, maintenance, and repairs on airframes, engines, and avionics as a qualified mechanic; troubleshoot mechanical issues to minimize downtime and maintain airworthiness.
- Compliance and Documentation: Ensure all aircraft receipts/invoices for company credit-cards, maintenance logs, flight records, and regulatory documentation are accurate and up-to-date; comply with FAA Part 91 requirements.
- On-Call and Travel Duties: Be available for long-term travel/deployment and on-call rotations during peak survey seasons (150+ days per year); travel to remote job sites often for field operations, aircraft repositioning, and emergency maintenance.
Required Qualifications:
- FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate, SEL
- A&P Mechanic
- Second Class Medical
- Teamwork and ability to communicate and coordinate with and manage external teams/resources
- Interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills to work effectively, independently, and remotely
- Strong problem-solving skills & attention to detail
- US Citizenship, Legally employable in the United States without sponsorship. Onboarding will include identity verification through E-Verify.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Survey/Mission flying Experience
- FAA A&P Experience with Cessna T206 and other piston aircraft
- FAA Commercial MEL
- Aircraft ownership
If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your cover letter and resume with the job title in the subject line to careers@aerialservicesinc.com
GIS Technician – Hydrology
Location: Remote – Iowa Residence required
Job Type: Full Time. Temporary, Internship, & Co-op positions available
Duration: 4-6 months between January 2025 and June 2025
Category: Entry level
Compensation: $17-$20/hr.
Description:
As a GIS Technician, you will support our team by performing spatial analysis, creating maps, editing data, and assisting with various GIS-related projects. You will work closely with other GIS specialists to deliver high-quality results in a timely manner.
The ideal candidate will have 1+ years of hands-on experience using ArcGIS Pro and will demonstrate proficiency in interpreting elevation-derived terrain maps and creating and modifying vector datasets. Experience with hydrologic mapping and an understanding of the properties of hydrologic flow are essential for this role.
Responsibilities:
- Interpret and analyze elevation-derived terrain maps to assist with hydrological feature creation.
- Perform basic hydrologic analysis, including understanding and applying principles of surface water flow, watershed delineation, and floodplain mapping.
- Assist in preparing spatial analysis, visualizations, and reports for internal and client-facing projects.
- Support data collection, quality assurance, and data management efforts for ongoing GIS projects.
- Provide general GIS support for mapping, spatial analysis, and database management as needed.
- Collaborate with other team members to ensure that GIS data is integrated properly with other project workflows.
Required Qualifications:
- 3 months of experience working with ArcGIS Pro, including creating and editing geospatial data and conducting spatial analysis.
- Demonstrated experience interpreting elevation-derived terrain maps.
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to produce high-quality, accurate GIS products.
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
- Ability to communicate technical information clearly and effectively in both written and oral formats.
- Remote work setup including Windows 10 or 11 PC with 2k (QHD – 2560×1440) monitor or larger and low-latency reliable high-speed internet.
- Legally employable in the United States without sponsorship. Onboarding will include identity verification through E-Verify.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Understanding basic hydrologic mapping, including concepts such as surface flow, watershed delineation, and hydrologic modeling for 3DHP and NHD data creation.
- ESRI Certifications.
- Familiarity with environmental and geospatial project workflows.
- Experience with automation including keyboard shortcuts and GIS scripting (Python, ModelBuilder) to automate workflows.
- Familiarity with metadata standards and best practices for GIS data management.
- A background in environmental science, geography, geology, or a related field.
- Experience with Microsoft Office software including Teams.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your cover letter and resume with the job title in the subject line to careers@aerialservicesinc.com
Airborne Data Technician
Location: Remote, USA
Job Type: Full time
Experience: Intermediate or above (3+ years)
Compensation: $25-$40/hr
Description:
As an airborne data technician, you will be helping our team by processing airborne LiDAR, Imagery, and derivative GIS products to a variety of clients nationwide.
Responsibilities:
- Data Processing and Analysis: Process trajectories, raw LiDAR point clouds, aerial imagery, and GIS datasets using specialized software (e.g., PosPac MMS, RiProcess, Terrasolid, Metashape, QGIS, Global Mapper, and ArcGIS). Processes include generation, calibration, and classification of point clouds, triangulated imagery, digital elevation models (DEMs), and orthomosaics.
- Quality Control and Assurance: Perform rigorous quality checks on processed data to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with project specifications, industry standards (e.g., USGS LiDAR Base Specification), and client requirements; identify and correct errors such as noise, artifacts, and misalignments.
- Project Management Support: Assist in planning and coordinating data processing workflows for airborne survey projects; track project timelines, milestones, and deliverables to ensure on-time delivery to clients.
- Client Communication and Reporting: Prepare technical reports, metadata, and visualizations summarizing processed data; collaborate with clients to address queries, incorporate feedback, and customize deliverables to meet specific needs.
- Software and Tool Maintenance: Maintain and update processing software, scripts, and tools; develop or refine automated workflows using Python or similar scripting languages to improve efficiency in data handling.
- Team Collaboration: Work closely with clients, survey pilots, and GIS analysts to ensure seamless data transfer from acquisition to processing; provide input on flight planning to optimize data quality and efficiency.
- Continuous Improvement and Training: Stay current with advancements in LiDAR technology, remote sensing, and GIS through training and certifications; contribute to process improvements and mentor new technicians on best practices.
Required Qualifications:
- Proficiency in handling and classifying point clouds & elevation models
- Proficiency in triangulating airborne imagery
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to produce high-quality, accurate GIS products.
- Teamwork and ability to communicate and coordinate with and manage external teams/resources
- Interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills to work effectively, independently, and remotely
- Strong problem-solving skills & attention to detail
- Proficiency with Microsoft Windows operating systems and Office applications
- Remote work setup including Windows 10 or 11 PC with 2k (QHD – 2560×1440) monitor or larger and low-latency reliable high-speed internet.
- US Citizenship, Legally employable in the United States without sponsorship. Onboarding will include identity verification through E-Verify.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Software Experience including PosPac MMS, RiProcess, TerraScan, TerraMatch, Metashape, QGIS, Global Mapper, and ArcGIS Pro
- Bachelor’s degree in GIS or a related field
- ASPRS Professional Certification & knowledge of Positional Accuracy Standards
- USGS 3DEP & 3DHP data production experience to LiDAR Base Specifications
- Flight planning and alternative processing techniques
- Python & Scripting automation experience
- Understanding of computational hardware required for tools/applications
- Machine learning & additional software knowledge
If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your cover letter and resume with the job title in the subject line to careers@aerialservicesinc.com
Airborne LiDAR Manager
Location: Remote, USA
Job Type: Full time, exempt
Experience: Experienced (6+ years)
Compensation: $75,000-$110,000/year
Description:
As an Airborne LiDAR Manager, you will be helping our team by managing the production of airborne LiDAR, Imagery, and derivative GIS products for a variety of clients nationwide.
Responsibilities:
- Project Management: Plan and coordinate data processing workflows for airborne survey projects; track project timelines, milestones, and deliverables to ensure on-time delivery to clients.
- Client Communication and Reporting: Prepare technical reports, metadata, and visualizations summarizing processed data; collaborate with clients to address queries, incorporate feedback, and customize deliverables to meet specific needs.
- Data Processing and Analysis: Process trajectories, raw LiDAR point clouds, aerial imagery, and GIS datasets using specialized software (e.g., PosPac MMS, RiProcess, Terrasolid, Metashape, QGIS, Global Mapper, and ArcGIS). Processes include generation, calibration, and classification of point clouds, triangulated imagery, digital elevation models (DEMs), and orthomosaics.
- Quality Control and Assurance: Perform rigorous quality checks on processed data to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with project specifications, industry standards (e.g., USGS LiDAR Base Specification), and client requirements; identify and correct errors such as noise, artifacts, and misalignments.
- Software and Tool Maintenance: Maintain and update processing software, scripts, and tools; develop or refine automated workflows using Python or similar scripting languages to improve efficiency in data handling.
- Team Collaboration: Work closely with clients, survey pilots, and GIS analysts to ensure seamless data transfer from acquisition to processing; provide input on flight planning to optimize data quality and efficiency.
- Continuous Improvement and Training: Stay current with advancements in LiDAR technology, remote sensing, and GIS through training and certifications; contribute to process improvements and mentor new technicians on best practices.
Required Qualifications:
- Active ASPRS Professional Certification
- Software Experience including PosPac MMS, RiProcess, TerraScan, TerraMatch, Metashape, QGIS, Global Mapper, and ArcGIS Pro or functional equivalents
- Bachelor’s degree in GIS or a related field
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to produce high-quality, accurate GIS products.
- Teamwork and ability to communicate and coordinate with and manage external teams/resources
- Interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills to work effectively, independently, and remotely
- Strong problem-solving skills & attention to detail
- Proficiency with Microsoft Windows operating systems and Office applications
- Remote work setup including Windows 10 or 11 PC with 2k (QHD – 2560×1440) monitor or larger and low-latency reliable high-speed internet.
- US Citizenship, Legally employable in the United States without sponsorship. Onboarding will include identity verification through E-Verify.
Preferred Qualifications:
- USGS 3DEP & 3DHP data production experience to LiDAR Base Specifications
- Flight planning and alternative processing techniques
- Python & Scripting automation experience
- Understanding of computational hardware required for tools/applications
- Machine learning & additional software knowledge
If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your cover letter and resume with the job title in the subject line to careers@aerialservicesinc.com
If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your cover letter and resume with the job title in the subject line to
careers@aerialservicesinc.com
We will be in touch if a we believe a roll may be available that matches your skills and experiences.
Aerial Services is a 14CFR part 91 operator.
Please submit all PRIA or Pilot record requests to careers@aerialservicesinc.com