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Arch Aerial

Provides drone-as-a-service aerial data solutions

Junior Drone Pilot

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/17/2026
No salary listed
Entry
Kermit, TX, USA
In PersonTravel beyond West Texas and New Mexico is required from time to time.
Vehicle Operation & Delivery

About the job

Requirements
  • Proficiency with Adobe Acrobat.
  • Proficiency with Dropbox.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
  • Proficiency with Windows and Mac operating systems.
  • A safety-minded attitude.
  • Ability and willingness to travel beyond West Texas and New Mexico from time to time.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with strong attention to detail.
  • Strong organizational skills.
  • Efficiency.
  • Ability to work independently and suggest process and method improvements to managers.
  • Strong work ethic.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to create materials that communicate and present information credibly and effectively.
  • The position is open to students, recent graduates, and candidates seeking to enter the unmanned aerial systems field.
Responsibilities
  • Assist the Western Region Operations Manager with daily collection of drone-based aerial mapping data in the visible spectrum, aerial leak detection data using methane lasers, and aerial hyperspectral data using OGI and other payloads.
  • Conduct unmanned aerial system operations at construction sites, pipeline rights of way, pump stations, refineries, well pads, and other facilities.
  • Perform daily and monthly maintenance on drones, ground-based equipment, and vehicles.
  • Assist with compiling daily inspection reports.
  • Assist junior data technicians or junior unmanned aerial systems pilots in the region, including providing overflow support for data from other regions during periods of high demand.
  • Assist with creating, measuring, and delivering additional reports.
  • Assist periodically with daily data delivery for overflow data collected in other regions of the company's operations.
  • Drive to and on customer assets for relevant projects.
  • Assist with company data management initiatives for current work and archival strategies.
  • Represent the company when interacting with peers, other operators, and other service companies in the field.
  • Operate safely and protect personal safety and the integrity of operated equipment.
Desired Qualifications
  • A current Part 107 Remote Pilot Endorsement is preferred but not required.
  • DJI M300 piloting experience.
  • OGI certification.
  • A current TWIC card.
  • Thermographer I certification.
  • Adobe Photoshop proficiency.
  • Adobe Premiere Proficiency.
  • Adobe After Effects proficiency.
  • Ground photography proficiency.
  • Experience with DJI M300/M350 aircraft and DJI aircraft generally is a strong advantage.
  • Experience using methane leak detection equipment for scouting is highly encouraged.

About the company

Arch Aerial provides end-to-end drone-as-a-service for enterprise clients, with licensed pilots conducting flights, in-house data processing, and secure delivery of outputs. It serves energy and construction sectors, offering pipeline patrols, facility mapping, optical gas imaging methane detection, right-of-way monitoring, and 3D modeling plus LiDAR with outputs in AutoCAD-compatible formats. The company differentiates itself through long-standing FAA compliance and a fully managed workflow that delivers ready-to-use data rather than just raw footage. Its goal is to supply scalable aerial intelligence so operations managers can make timely, informed decisions without slow ground surveys.

Company Size

11-50

Company Stage

Seed

Total Funding

$100K

Headquarters

Houston, Texas

Founded

2012

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • July 2026 website updates show active marketing and current product positioning.
  • The company sells LiDAR, orthomosaics, and 3D modeling for faster project decisions.
  • ZipRecruiter listings in July 2026 show ongoing hiring for Houston-region drone pilots.

What critics are saying

  • No 2026 funding, acquisition, or major contract announcements signal stalled momentum.
  • Small-team private operators face margin pressure from larger surveying and inspection vendors.
  • Energy and construction demand concentration leaves Arch Aerial exposed to customer churn.

What makes Arch Aerial unique

  • Arch Aerial runs end-to-end drone services from flight through in-house data processing.
  • July 27, 2026 content targets pre-bid construction, showing a sharp bid-intelligence niche.
  • The company serves energy and construction clients from Houston, Plano, and Kermit.

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Benefits

  • 401(k) Retirement Plan

Growth & Insights

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

4%

2 year growth

10%