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 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 the use of drones for aerial and underground surveys. This role supports operational excellence by reducing entries into underground assets and improving maintenance planning. You will conduct aerial and underground inspections using drones and photogrammetry tools, capturing and processing high-quality data to create models such as point clouds. You will develop and execute flight plans collaboratively with project teams, ensuring compliance with CAA regulations and maintaining accurate flight logs.

In addition to piloting drones, you will mentor and support other drone operators to enhance their skills, ensure UAV equipment is serviceable and available, update dashboards, raise orders for defective equipment, and maintain inventory. During high-demand periods, you will assist below-ground teams and work closely with Catchment Managers and Field Operations Managers to identify survey opportunities. You will also engage with external departments to explore new surveying opportunities and contribute to reducing entries into below-ground assets by 5% as part of the maintenance plan.

Thames Water is the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, serving over 16 million customers. Working here means being part of a diverse, rewarding environment where you can make a difference every day while enjoying meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements, and excellent benefits. Together, we aim to build a better future for our customers, communities, people, and the planet.

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 producing dashboards and pivot tables
- 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
Motivated and safety-conscious individual with strong teamwork skills and a proactive approach to continuous improvement. You should be adaptable, able to mentor others, and committed to operational excellence.

Qualifications
- UK remote pilot licence GVC (essential)
- Full clean UK driving licence (essential)

Desirable Additional Skills and Certifications
- Extensive UAV operation experience supported by logged flying hours
- Confined Space Low/Medium Risk Operative certification
- Work at Heights certification
- First Aid at Work certification
- DSEAR certification