Unmanned Aircraft Systems; UAS Program Manager

Position: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program Manager
Puget Sound Energy is looking to grow our community with top talented individuals like you! With our rapidly growing, award winning energy efficiency programs, our pathway to an exciting and innovative future is now.

PSE's Engineering Operations team is looking for qualified candidates to fill an open Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program Manager position!

Specific details regarding the work arrangements for this position will be discussed in further detail during the interview process.

Job Description

Puget Sound Energy is seeking a dynamic Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Program Manager to lead and grow a forward-looking enterprise drone program. In this role, you'll combine strategy and hands-on expertise to guide operations that support infrastructure inspection, wildfire risk mitigation, and emergency response across the region.

You'll shape program direction, oversee safe and compliant flight operations, and translate aerial data into meaningful insights for the business-while collaborating across teams and advancing new technologies.

Responsible for pilot training and certification. Oversees vendor relationships, represents PSE in industry and regulatory forums, and manages budgeting, resource planning, and technology evaluation to advance program effectiveness and efficiency.

If you're an experienced drone professional who enjoys building programs, leading people, and delivering high‑impact results, this is an opportunity to make a tangible difference in how critical infrastructure is operated and protected.

Upholds the safety compliance standards inherent in PSE's operating and/or field procedures related to work responsibilities. Promotes and supports a culture of total safety.

Demonstrates commitment to conduct business honestly, ethically, and consistent with our core values and Code of Conduct. Ensures duties are performed in accordance with all regulatory compliance obligations.

This job is considered "safety sensitive" as defined in RCW 49.44.240 and is subject to pre-employment drug screening that includes screening for the presence of marijuana and marijuana metabolites.

Job Responsibilities

* Collaborates with internal stakeholders to develop and lead PSE's centralized UAS program, including governance, flight safety protocols, regulatory compliance, and standardized operating procedures.

* Builds the strategic roadmap for UAS operations, including program scope, long‑term asset planning, pilot staffing needs, and enterprise KPIs.

* Establishes policies for operation approval, risk assessment, equipment maintenance, and data governance.

* Leads and conducts UAS operations across multiple utility use cases, including, but not limited to wildfire‑risk patrols, vegetation encroachment detection, infrastructure inspections, gas pipeline surveys, construction as‑builts, and post‑storm/PSPS outage response.

* Pilots and gathers field data in potentially hazardous areas and may assist field employees in poor weather conditions to assess system assets.

* Oversees flight planning operations: route design, environmental assessments, hazard evaluation, and pre‑flight safety checks.

* Manages firmware/software updates, troubleshoot equipment, perform field testing, and validate payload sensor performance.

* Develops and maintains PSE's UAS pilot certification and training program; mentors pilots to ensure proficiency and FAA compliance.

* Maintains accurate flight logs, records, licensing, and safety documentation in accordance with regulatory and company requirements.

* Oversees the full aerial data lifecycle-acquisition, processing, storage, integration-within PSE's enterprise GIS and asset management systems.

* Standardizes metadata, naming conventions, quality thresholds, delivery timelines, and cross‑department accessibility of UAS data.

* Collaborates with internal teams to define data requirements and ensure aerial intelligence directly supports planning, engineering, operations, and emergency response.

* Collaborates with relevant teams to prioritize operations and maximize operational value.

* Serves as PSE's main point of contact for third‑party UAS vendors, ensuring alignment with PSE's…