Field Drone Operations Lead
Ottawa (Nepean), ONFull-timeMay 2026 Start | In-Person
About Link Horizon
Link Horizon is building a system that understands what's happening on construction sites — in real time — and why it matters.
We combine persistent, on-site aerial data capture with project schedules, contracts, and design files to create a continuously updating, structured view of a construction project. Our platform transforms daily drone flights into actionable insight, automating core workflows like progress tracking, site inspections, and contract administration for developers, contractors, and consultants.
We operate at the intersection of hardware and software. On-site, we deploy and manage drone-in-a-box systems that capture high-frequency aerial data across large-scale land development projects. Off-site, we're building the intelligence layer — a multimodal AI system that fuses vision data with project documentation to model site activity, track progress against plan, and surface what actually matters to project stakeholders.
We've recently entered a design partnership with one of Ontario's most innovative home developers and are launching our first pilot in Ottawa in May 2026. This is a critical moment: the product is being shaped in real time, directly on active construction sites.
We're a small, fast-moving team looking for people who want to build at the frontier of AI, robotics, and the built world to define a new category of site intelligence.
About The Team
Link Horizon is a small, engineering-first team moving quickly at an early stage. We work in tight loops, and will be deploying on real construction sites, learning from what actually happens, and shipping improvements continuously.
We're currently a two-person team and are now growing to support our first pilot deployment starting in May 2026. Both founders are University of Waterloo Mechatronics Engineering graduates, and our team actually originated from our final-year capstone project. Since September 2025, we've been backed by the University of Waterloo's Velocity startup incubator and have been operating out of their Kitchener office up until now. We're relocating to Ottawa to support operations on our first pilot with our development team returning to Kitchener in the Fall.
We focus on building systems that work in the real world, on active sites, with imperfect data and real constraints. Engineers spend time in the field, decisions are made quickly, and ownership is high. This is a place for people who want to build from first principles and have a direct impact on the product and the company.
The Role
You will be responsible for everything between the drone leaving the ground and usable data reaching the platform — flight operations, data capture, photogrammetry processing, safety, logistics, and documentation.
In the first year, the work is hands-on: you will be flying manual missions across active construction sites in Ottawa, processing data through DJI Terra, performing QA on deliverables, and building the operational SOPs and safety frameworks that the program will run on. You will work alongside the founders and field team to establish how Link Horizon collects data reliably, safely, and at a standard that the platform can depend on.
Over time, this role evolves. You will lead the transition from manual site-to-site operations into Beyond-Visual-Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) and remote command center operations — helping build the operational foundation that makes autonomous, persistent data capture possible. This is an opportunity to be at the forefront of drone regulation and technology in Canada as the industry moves toward beyond visual line of sight.
What You'll Work On
- Plan and execute manual drone flight operations across multiple active construction sites
- Conduct pre-flight site surveys and briefings — assessing terrain, airspace, obstacles, and hazards before every operation
- Process drone-collected data through photogrammetry pipelines (DJI Terra), generate deliverables (orthomosaics, point clouds, 3D reconstructions), and perform quality assurance on outputs
- Build and maintain the operational program — SOPs, safety management systems, flight logs, maintenance records, and regulatory documentation
- Manage field logistics including scheduling, equipment readiness, site access, and coordination with site personnel
- Support the transition from manual operations to BVLOS and remote command center operations
- Manage and mentor field operations interns as the team grows
- Work closely with the development team to ensure field-collected data meets platform requirements
Must-Have
- Advanced RPAS pilot certificate (minimum)
- Commercial or enterprise drone flight experience
- Experience with photogrammetry processing and data QA (DJI Terra or equivalent)
- Operational experience managing field logistics, safety documentation, or flight programs
- Comfort building processes and SOPs in a fast-moving environment where not everything is defined yet
- Unrestricted driver's license and access to a personal vehicle
- Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible to obtain a Canadian drone pilot certificate under Transport Canada regulations
Nice-to-Have
- Level 1 Complex RPAS pilot certificate
- Experience with RPAS Operator Certificate (RPOC) programs or the process of obtaining one
- Experience preparing or supporting SFOC applications
- Experience with DJI enterprise platforms (Matrice series, Dock systems)
- Experience with DJI FlightHub 2
- Familiarity with BVLOS operations or regulatory pathways
- Experience managing or mentoring junior team members
- Familiarity with construction, surveying, or land development
- Experience with geospatial data formats and coordinate reference systems
Compensation & Benefits
- $60,000–$80,000 base salary + milestone-based bonuses
- Strong health and benefits package
- Direct collaboration with founders in a low-bureaucracy environment
- Rapid iteration cycles with real-world deployment on active construction sites
- Opportunity to lead the operational transition toward BVLOS and autonomous drone operations
- Company sponsored training and additional certifications for RPAS operations (Level 1 Complex)
- Daily team lunches and paid dinners when working late
Additional Context
This role is permanently based in Ottawa. You will be operating in the field on active construction sites across the Ottawa region.
You will be joining a team that is building the operational and technical infrastructure for persistent aerial site intelligence — your work in the first year directly shapes how the program scales.