Program Manager, UAS Services - 518510 Organization: CAODepartment: AERIAL DATA OPS & TRAININGWork Location: Chattanooga, TN, Huntsville, AL, Muscle Shoals, ALRelocation: No relocation benefits are offered for this positionPosting Open: 6/2/2026Posting Close: 6/5/2026 at 11:59 PM ESTSalary: Competitive POSITION PURPOSE: The Program Manager must have the skill, experience, and ability to develop and execute TVA aerial data strategies while prioritizing safety, innovation, and operational efficiency in an evolving regulatory environment. Programs will include UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems), manned aircraft purposed for aerial data acquisition, airborne sensors, data workflows/processes/analysis and various supporting functions. Engages with TVA leadership, TVA business unit end users, other TVA support groups, internal UAS pilots, external UAS contractors, and other stakeholders as required to advance strategies and foster collaborative working relationships. Directs the development and demonstration of a variety of unmanned system and autonomy activities and will be responsible for leading growth initiatives. Recognize, quantify, and report out on cost saving and risk reduction efforts using innovative aerial technologies. Guide business decisions around aerial data strategies to assist TVA in best serving customers and the Valley.
JOB DIMENSIONS :
Supervisory Responsibility - Direct: may be assigned oversight of UAS specialists, staff augmented UAS operators, external UAS contractors, and/or interns.
Budget Responsibility - Indirect: aviation services projects (O&M or capital) or business unit supported projects ($1-7M)
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES: - Cultivate safe and efficient daily operations tempo in a complex TVA flight environment and National Airspace System to include nuclear power plants, fossil, gas, hydroelectric power plants, high voltage transmission lines and switchyards, river and reservoir systems, congested airspace shared with busier airports, sensitive airspace over national parks, military installations, and DOE facilities.
- Operate unmanned and manned aircraft systems both indoors and outdoors- will require travel to TVA sites and other operational locations.
- Manage aircraft configurations, sensor and systems selection, integration and flight operation, with a focus on optimizing personnel safety.
- Ensure compliance with TVA standard programs and processes, TVA standard operating procedures, Federal Aviation Administration regulations to include applicable Letters of Authorization and Certificates of Waiver, and other regulatory constraints.
- Establish project and program objectives, utilize data-driven insights to optimize program cost, schedule, and performance targets, develop and monitor operational performance metrics.
- Evaluate UAS capabilities and airborne sensor technologies along with projected business needs to guide decisions on procurement and implementation of future state aerial imagery strategies.
- Coordinate and perform field-testing of aerial data platforms, sensors, and associated software to ensure regulatory compliance, cyber security compliance, safety requirements are met in addition to evaluating overall effectiveness.
- Guide and direct research and development projects to evaluate new uses cases in support of TVA business unit requests and initiatives.
- Represent TVA and Aviation Services organization on key committees and work groups, interfacing with other utilities, regulators, and industry partners to shape policies that optimize safety and cost effectiveness to best serve the Valley and its residents. Supports TVA organizations in the design/implementation of best practices.
- Develop & deliver presentations to TVA leaders and business partners on program updates, developments, and initiatives.
- Establish training and standardization programs for TVA UAS operators to include initial training, aircraft/sensor specific check outs, and recurrent proficiency evaluations.
- Serve in support capacities to include but not limited to work scheduling/dispatching, equipment procurement through TVA supply chain, coordinate product support with UAS manufacturers, perform UAS equipment maintenance, interface with TVA IT/cyber security.
- Oversee external UAS contractors providing services on TVA's behalf- ensure regulatory compliance, adherence to TVA standard programs and processes, airspace deconfliction with TVA aircraft is achieved, and that safety requirements are met.
- Perform duties of aviation safety officer representing aerial data department on aviation safety council.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Education: A Bachelor's degree in Aviation, Engineering, Science, or Technical discipline; or equivalent education, training, experience.
Experience: 5 years' minimum experience with commercial, academic, government or military aerial data operations required; 5-10 years' experience with power utility operations.
Certification/License, etc.: FAA Remote Pilot-in-Command Certificate part 107 required; FAA airplane certificates desired- private or commercial, instrument and multi-engine ratings.
Knowledge, Skill, Abilities: Demonstrated thorough knowledge of aviation safety concepts and policy, Federal Aviation Regulations, and interpretation and application of those policies and regulations. Demonstrated ability to convert raw aerial datasets into meaningful information. Experience and knowledge of UAS operations required manned aerial survey knowledge is desirable. Ability to manage multiple programs 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. Strong oral and written communications skills.
