Job title: RPAS Pilot / Drone Operator
Job type: Full-time
Location: Edmonton, AB (base) — travel across Alberta required
Salary: $25–$30/hour, plus overtime
Schedule: 12-hour days, rotational 5 days on / 9 days off
About Gray Jay Corrosion
Gray Jay Corrosion Ltd. provides drone-based inspection services to oil and gas operators in Alberta. We use remotely piloted aircraft and sensor payloads to inspect industrial and upstream sites, and deliver the processed results to our clients. We are a small team expanding our advanced and beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations.
The role
The RPAS Pilot / Drone Operator handles inspection projects from planning through to final deliverables. Planning includes mission scoping against the client's inspection objectives, airspace assessment, site survey, and flight plan preparation. Field work involves operating the aircraft and sensor payloads to collect complete, usable data within the constraints of the site and conditions. Post-flight work covers data processing and quality control — point-cloud, thermal, and gas-detection outputs — through to client-ready deliverables. The role will expand to include BVLOS and more complex operations as the company's scope grows.
Responsibilities
- Plan and conduct drone inspection missions on industrial sites across Alberta
- Operate the aircraft and sensor payloads; manage flight planning, airspace checks, site surveys, and pre-/post-flight procedures
- Maintain accurate flight logs, maintenance records, and documentation consistent with our operating procedures
- Process and QA inspection data into client deliverables
- Adhere to all regulatory and client site-safety requirements
Who we're looking for
- Self-starter who can work independently in the field with limited supervision
- Comfortable learning new equipment, software, and procedures quickly and on the job
- Takes initiative and solves problems on site rather than waiting for direction
- Reliable and motivated, with the discipline to maintain quality and documentation without being checked
- Adaptable — comfortable with the variety and changing priorities of a small, growing company
Required
- Valid Class 5 driver's licence and willingness to travel and work in the field in Alberta conditions
- Able to work a rotational 5-on / 9-off schedule with 12-hour days
- Willingness to obtain required safety certifications (e.g. First Aid, H2S Alive, CSO, TDG); existing tickets an asset
- Strong documentation discipline and attention to detail
- Mechanical aptitude and comfort with technology
Assets (not required — an advantage if you have them)
- Transport Canada Pilot Certificate (Basic, Advanced, or Level 1 Complex Operations)
- Restricted Operator Certificate – Aeronautical (ROC-A)
- Experience operating commercial drones and sensor payloads
- Data-processing skills (point-cloud, photogrammetry, thermal, or GIS)
- Relevant field, industrial, or technical experience
What we offer
- $25–$30/hour plus overtime, full-time
- Rotational 5-on / 9-off schedule, 12-hour days
- Company vehicle provided for field deployments
- Extended health benefits and a recreational spending account
- Support toward Transport Canada certification and skills development
- Hands-on work with current-generation equipment and a growing service line
How to apply
Submit your résumé and a short note on any relevant experience and your current certification level (if any).
Pay: $25.00-$30.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
