Location
Stratford, London (Abbey Mills – Stratford E15 2RN), with additional base locations at London - Hammersmith (W6 9RS) and Greenwich Storm (SE10 8JL). You will cover a wider area and drive between several sites, so a full clean UK driving licence is required.

Hours
36 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Salary
£35,000 to £40,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience

About the Role
Join Thames Water as a Drone Pilot, playing a critical role in asset inspection through aerial and underground drone surveys. This position supports operational excellence by reducing entries into underground assets and improving maintenance planning. Your main duties will include conducting inspections using drones and photogrammetry tools, capturing and processing high-quality data to create models such as point clouds, and developing flight plans in collaboration with project teams. You will ensure compliance with CAA regulations, maintain accurate flight logs, and keep UAV equipment serviceable and available. Additionally, you will mentor other drone operators to enhance their piloting skills, update dashboards, manage equipment inventory, and assist below-ground teams during high-demand periods. You will work closely with Catchment Managers, Field Operations Managers, and external departments to identify and explore new surveying opportunities. A key objective is to contribute to reducing entries into below-ground assets by 5% as part of the maintenance plan.

About Thames Water
We are the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, serving over 16 million customers. We are committed to building a better future for our customers, communities, people, and the planet. Thames Water offers meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements, and excellent benefits. Join us to make a daily difference while helping protect water resources for future generations.

Experience
- Knowledge of UK airspace regulations and confined space safety protocols
- Experience in writing Safe Systems of Work
- Advanced IT and data processing skills, including Microsoft Excel and dashboard creation
- Ability to balance aerial and ground-based tasks effectively
- Works well across teams and supports skill development in others
- Seeks opportunities to optimise processes and reduce manual interventions
- Prioritises compliance with safety regulations for confined space and flight operations

About you
Organised, safety-conscious, and collaborative individual with strong mentoring abilities. You are motivated to improve operational efficiency and support team development while maintaining high standards of compliance and safety.

Qualifications
- UK remote pilot licence (GVC) - essential
- Full clean UK driving licence - essential
- Desirable certifications include Confined Space Low/Medium Risk Operative, Work at Heights, First Aid at Work, and DSEAR
- Extensive UAV operation experience supported by logged flying hours is advantageous