Drone Manager - South Central District

District Overview

Kiewit's South Central District is one of Kiewit's leading infrastructure districts specializing in highway and heavy civil construction including grading, excavating, trenching, bridge construction, concrete, asphalt paving, and more.  Although most of our work is regionally based in the south-central region of the United States, we also pursue various projects stretching across the United States. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about infrastructure and committed to the construction industry as opposed to design.

Location

Kiewit's South Central District has a home office in Westlake, Texas but leads work all over Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. However, one of the many things that makes Kiewit's culture unique is that we go where the work is, which exposes your career to abundant opportunities. We relocate our teams based on the work that is available, combined with the development plans, skill sets and career goals of each team member. This means your Kiewit adventure is custom-designed to meet our shared needs.

Responsibilities

Drone Operations & Strategy
•    Lead UAV operations across multiple projects, including flight planning, data capture, and post-processing.
•    Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for drone use in construction environments.
•    Ensure compliance with FAA regulations and internal safety protocols.
Data Integration & Analysis
•    Collaborate with survey and engineering teams to integrate drone data into design models and construction workflows.
•    Review and validate aerial data for accuracy and usability in project planning and execution.
•    Support machine control setup using drone-generated topography.
Team Leadership & Training
•    Train project teams and survey crews on UAV technology, flight operations, and data interpretation.
•    Manage drone equipment inventory, maintenance, and procurement.
•    Mentor junior staff and promote best practices in aerial surveying.
Project Support
•    Assist with site documentation, progress tracking, and as-built verification using drone imagery.
•    Coordinate with designers to ensure aerial data aligns with project requirements.
•    Support pay-quantity verification and layout using drone-derived models.

Qualifications

•    5+ years of experience in UAV operations, construction surveying, or geospatial analysis.
•    FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required.
•    Proficiency in drone mapping software (e.g., Pix4D, DroneDeploy, Trimble Business Center).
•    Strong understanding of GPS, GIS, and photogrammetry principles.
•    Experience with heavy civil construction projects preferred.
•    Excellent communication and leadership skills.
•    Ability to work independently and collaboratively in field and office settings.
•    Strong commitment to safety and quality.