Job SummaryThe UAS Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) is responsible for planning and safely conducting uncrewed aircraft missions that support infrastructure inspections, emergency response, situational awareness, and operational decision-making. This position serves as the designated flight authority for assigned missions and is accountable for mission readiness, regulatory compliance, safe execution, and the quality and integrity of data collected in the field.
RPICs operate across electric and gas infrastructure and frequently support time-critical, safety-sensitive, and geographically dispersed missions. The role requires sound judgment, procedural discipline, strong situational awareness, and effective coordination with frontline employees, control center resources, and other members of the Remote Pilot Operations Center (RPOC). Successful incumbents execute standardized operating procedures consistently, adapt to changing field conditions, and deliver reliable mission outcomes that support safe and efficient operations.
Essential Responsibilities- Serve as the designated Remote Pilot in Command for assigned UAS operations, exercising final operational authority and accountability for flight safety, regulatory compliance, and mission execution.
- Plan, coordinate, and execute VLOS, BVLOS, and DIAB missions under applicable operating procedures, authorizations, waivers, and enterprise standards.
- Conduct pre-flight assessments that evaluate weather, airspace, terrain, site conditions, ground hazards, people and property, communications links, aircraft status, battery readiness, payload security, and overall mission risk.
- Perform infrastructure inspections, damage assessments, emergency response support, and situational awareness missions across electric and gas operations using standard and specialized sensor payloads as assigned.
- Maintain continuous awareness of the operating environment and make real-time decisions to adapt, delay, suspend, or terminate missions when conditions create unacceptable risk.
- Coordinate closely with field operations, system operators, visual observers, spotters, airspace stakeholders, and RPOC team members to ensure safe, efficient, and aligned mission execution.
- Capture, verify, and manage high-quality imagery, video, telemetry, and other mission data in accordance with program standards, documentation requirements, and chain-of-custody expectations where applicable.
- Complete accurate and timely mission documentation, including pre-flight and post-flight records, maintenance logs, flight activity records, incident reporting, and other required operational documentation.
- Conduct post-flight procedures, including system shutdown, equipment inspection, battery management, mission review, and escalation of any discrepancies, malfunctions, safety events, or maintenance needs.
- Inspect, maintain, and safeguard aircraft, sensors, batteries, software, field equipment, vehicles, and support materials to ensure operational readiness and compliance with maintenance and asset control requirements.
- Support mission coordination by aligning field logistics, communicating operational constraints, and helping ensure timely execution of routine and emergent work.
- Interact professionally with internal stakeholders, external partners, regulatory entities, and members of the public while supporting assigned UAS operations.
- Provide feedback on operational risks, process improvements, and lessons learned to support ongoing refinement of procedures, training, and mission execution practices.
Minimum Qualifications- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate in good standing, with the ability to maintain currency and all required qualifications for assigned operations.
- Minimum of 2 years of UAS, aviation, air traffic control, or closely related operational experience.
- Demonstrated experience conducting field operations in industrial, utility, infrastructure, public safety, or similarly complex operating environments.
- Demonstrated ability to execute missions in accordance with established procedures, safety standards, and regulatory requirements while exercising sound judgment in dynamic conditions.
- Experience with mission planning, risk assessment, pre-flight and post-flight procedures, and operational documentation.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain strong situational awareness across multiple assets, operating conditions, and environmental variables.
- Experience operating or overseeing multiple UAS simultaneously, where authorized and operationally applicable.
- Ability to work independently in remote or field-based environments with limited direct supervision.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to coordinate effectively across operational, technical, and safety-focused stakeholders.
- Willingness and ability to travel, work in variable outdoor conditions, and support on-call, after-hours, weekend, or emergency response operations as needed.
Preferred Qualifications- Air Traffic Control facility ratings, military aviation experience, or other advanced aviation credentials.
- Experience supporting BVLOS operations, waiver-based operations, or other advanced UAS mission profiles in regulated environments.
- Experience operating sensor payloads such as thermal, zoom, LiDAR, or other mission-specific technologies.
- Experience performing utility, transmission, distribution, pipeline, or other critical infrastructure inspections.
- Knowledge of utility operations, emergency response processes, incident command principles, or field safety practices relevant to infrastructure work.
- Experience contributing to standardization efforts, training support, or operational process improvement initiatives.
Non-Bargaining
The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $73,700.00 to $104,633.00 per year
This position is eligible for the following benefits: Annual Incentive Program, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Reimbursement Account, Health Care Reimbursement Account, Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA), Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short-term disability (STD), Long-term disability (LTD), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO), Parental Leave
Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.
In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Deadline to Apply: 08/17/26
