Drone (UAS) Program Manager

Are you ready to lead the smart drone transportation revolution?

• Lead the short- and long-range planning, research, development and testing of new drone uses that improve efficiency, safety and cost-savings to taxpayers for operations conducted by NCDOT units and state agencies, including supporting statewide emergency response to natural disasters and emergencies.
• Provide technical expertise in the implementation of UAS across NCDOT, state government, and public and commercial sectors.
• Help establish progressive policy, develop and refine state laws and NCDOT policies governing the UAS ownership and operation in the State.
• Drive the writing and implementation of policies, procedures and other actions to ensure the timely and accurate implementation of ratified language and other requirements.
• Maintain the state's online UAS permitting system for government and commercial operators
• Organize and manage daily operations
• Build, lead, and maintain a trained UAS pilot team to provide UAS operational support and services to NCDOT internal customers and provide fleet management for procurement and maintenance of NCDOT's fleet of drones. These services include aerial photography, aerial inspections, UAS mission support, UAS permitting support, UAS operation training and Standard Operating Procedure support.
• Perform fiscal management and oversight
• Perform quality assurance
• Develop procedures and best practices
• Monitor compliance and lead program reporting.

• Expert technical and applied knowledge in UAS within NCDOT and state government
• The ability to interact effectively at the highest levels of business, government, and academic sectors.
• Experience leading the development, implementation, and management of state and federal rules and regulations governing unmanned operations in the national airspace system.
• Experience with budget administration and overseeing contracts and contracted services.
• Communications skills oral and written needed to work effectively with stakeholders and partners including NCDOT leadership, engineers, technical staff and personnel from all business units, the Federal Aviation Administration, North Carolina General Assembly, other government and non-government agencies, UAS companies, transportation professional engineering firms, technology providers and the public.
• Skills operating with high accountability, authority, and consequence of error
• Skills interpreting policies and procedures governing effective program management.
• Supervisory experience managing an engineering program with engineers and other employees, serving as the engineering authority for unmanned aircraft systems, and managing projects requiring extensive contracts and contracted services.
• Experience interpreting federal/state legislation regarding UAS and aviation and establishing state-level policy and guidance.      

• Bachelor's degree and 5 years of experience, including 2 years of supervisory program experience; or
• An equivalent combination of education and experience.