Location
Stratford, London with base locations at London - Hammersmith (W69RS), Greenwich Storm (SE108JL), and Abbey Mills – Stratford (E15 2RN). You will cover a wider area and drive between several different 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 the need for entries into underground assets and improving maintenance planning. Your responsibilities 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 collaboratively 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 skills, update dashboards, raise orders for defective equipment, maintain inventory, and assist below-ground teams during high-demand periods. You will work closely with Catchment Managers and Field Operations Managers to identify survey opportunities and engage with external departments to explore new surveying possibilities. A key objective is to contribute to reducing entries into below-ground assets by 5% as part of the maintenance plan.

Benefits
26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with length of service (plus bank holidays), company van provided, generous pension scheme through AON, and access to a wide range of health, wellbeing, and financial benefits including annual health MOTs, physiotherapy, counselling, Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers, and life assurance.

About Thames Water
Thames Water is 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. Working at Thames Water means meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements, and excellent benefits. We are a diverse and inclusive employer, supporting all applicants throughout the recruitment process. Join us to make a daily difference and help 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
Self-motivated, collaborative, and safety-conscious individual with a passion for drone operations and asset inspection. You are adaptable, willing to assist below-ground teams during busy periods, and committed to continuous improvement and mentoring colleagues.

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