Specialist, UAS Operations and Training - 518806

Work Location: Chattanooga, TN, Huntsville, AL or Muscle Shoals, AL

About the Role

The Specialist must have the skill, experience, and ability to support UAS operations and training programs through development, field testing, and execution phases. The Specialist will serve as a primary operator and trainer for the TVA UAS program. Authorized to interface with TVA Leadership and end user representatives at corporate and operational locations. Responsible for communicating work standards, educating TVA personnel, and operating inside TVA flight environment. Manage the integration of all functions and activities necessary for each operation to meet customer requirements while prioritizing safety and efficiency. Aid in the development and implementation of industry standards and best practices for a variety of unmanned systems and autonomy activities. Responsible for leading and executing both initial and recurrent training for TVA business unit UAS operators.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for field testing UAS systems, with attention to safety, regulatory, and TVA SPP/SOP compliance.
• Responsible for evaluation, integration, analysis and rapid fielding of new and emerging UAS technologies.
• Establishes, tracks, and analyzes aircraft performance metrics and takes action to address issues and/or opportunities.
• Manages UAS configurations, systems selection and integration, ensuring that all safety and asset technical risks are considered.
• Organizes & processes data gathered by UAS; ensures data accuracy & completeness; provides final deliverables to end users.
• Performs aircraft, ground control station, battery, and sensor maintenance as required by manufacturer.
• Applies knowledge of organizational structures and relationships to plan, organize, and execute UAS operations to provide business units products to inform decision making.
• Delivers presentations regarding UAS operations data to TVA leadership and stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with FAA regulations governing UAS in the National Airspace System.
• Responsible for FAA airspace coordination, waiver requests, and risk mitigation where required.
• Ability to plan for and operate complex UAS in the TVA Flight Environment to include power generation assets – nuclear, coal, gas, hydro, transmission infrastructure, and river/reservoir operations.
• Ability to skillfully pilot non-GPS assisted UAS and understand requirements of operating inside a power generating plant.
• Troubleshoots and addresses challenges as they arise in the field.
• Ability to recognize cost saving and risk reduction opportunities.
• Responsible for coordinating flight operations with site personnel, private property owners, power distributors, local, State and Federal officials while maintaining best possible relations.
• Field work, overnight travel, nuclear plant unescorted access required (have or obtain and maintain).
• Oversight of external third-party UAS service providers and contractors to ensure compliance with TVA SPPs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Engineering, Business, or Technical discipline; or equivalent education, training, experience.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience with commercial, academic, government or military UAS operations. Power utility experience is strongly desired.
• FAA Remote Pilot-in-Command Certificate required. Additional aviation certificates or experience desired.

Skills

• Demonstrated thorough knowledge of aviation safety concepts and policy, Federal Aviation Regulations, and interpretation and application of those policies and regulations.
• Experience and knowledge of UAS operations.
• Ability to manage multiple operations and deliverables.
• Technical aptitude and demonstrated ability to analyze and resolve problems.
• Understanding of UAS platforms (multi rotor and fixed wing) and airborne sensor concepts including RGB, IR, Multispectral, and LiDAR.
• Experience with UAS software including but not limited to Aloft, Drone Deploy, Wingtra Hub, gNext, Propeller, Flyability Inspector, ground control station applications.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

TVA Non-Nuclear employees in Testing Designated Positions, including those performing safety-sensitive duties, are subject to random drug testing. TVA Nuclear employees are subject to random alcohol and drug tests in accordance with 10 CFR Part 26 as mandated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).