Surveying & Drone Operations Lead

About The Team

Link Horizon is a small, fast-moving team working directly on active construction sites. We learn from real operating conditions, solve practical problems quickly, and continuously improve both our technology and the way it is deployed.

We are currently a team of five and expect to grow to seven team members in Fall 2026. The company was founded by University of Waterloo Mechatronics Engineering graduates, originated from their final-year capstone project, and has been backed by the University of Waterloo's Velocity startup incubator since September 2025.

Beginning in September 2026, our team will be split between Oakville and Ottawa. Our development team will be based in Oakville to support a new pilot project in the Greater Toronto Area, while the Surveying & Drone Operations Lead will lead our Ottawa surveying and flight operations.

We value precision, adaptability, sound judgment, and a strong sense of ownership. This is a place for someone who wants to work in the field, lead others, solve practical surveying and operational challenges, and help build a program rather than simply inherit one.

The Role

As Surveying & Drone Operations Lead, you will be responsible for Link Horizon's Ottawa surveying and flight operations, from preparing a site for capture through to delivering reliable data to the platform. This includes flight planning, placing and measuring ground control points, conducting drone surveys, photogrammetry processing, quality assurance, safety, logistics, equipment management, and documentation.

From the beginning, the role will be highly hands-on. You will conduct recurring surveys across active construction sites, establish and maintain ground control, process data using DJI Terra, review outputs for accuracy and repeatability, troubleshoot field and processing issues, and ensure each capture produces dependable results.

You will also immediately support the deployment and commissioning of Link Horizon's first drone-in-a-box system. This will include helping assess the deployment location, coordinate field requirements, test workflows, validate data quality, and establish procedures for the system's ongoing operation and maintenance.

You will manage a co-op student who supports field workflows and data collection, while working closely with the founders to build the procedures and standards that the broader flight operations program will depend on. Over time, the role will grow from leading Ottawa operations into helping shape a distributed surveying and drone operations program across a growing network of sites.

What You'll Work On

• Plan and execute recurring drone surveys across multiple active construction sites in Ottawa
• Establish, place, measure, and maintain ground control points and other survey control required for accurate, repeatable data capture
• Conduct pre-flight site assessments and briefings, evaluating terrain, airspace, obstacles, construction activity, weather, and operational hazards
• Process drone-collected data through photogrammetry workflows to produce orthomosaics, point clouds, 3D reconstructions, and other deliverables, while performing quality assurance on accuracy, alignment, completeness, and repeatability
• Support the deployment and commissioning of Link Horizon's first drone-in-a-box system from the beginning of the role, including site preparation, workflow testing, data validation, and the development of operating and maintenance procedures
• Build and maintain the operational program, including surveying workflows, SOPs, safety procedures, flight logs, maintenance records, quality-control checks, and regulatory documentation
• Manage Ottawa field logistics, including flight scheduling, equipment readiness, site access, ground control deployment, and coordination with site personnel
• Manage and mentor a co-op student supporting field surveys, data collection, equipment preparation, and other operational workflows
• Work closely with the development team to ensure field-collected data is accurate, consistent, and structured to meet platform requirements
• Help transition Link Horizon from manual site-to-site operations toward remote, drone-in-a-box, and Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations

Must-Have

• Practical surveying or geomatics experience, including field data collection and the establishment, measurement, and maintenance of survey control
• Experience using GNSS or RTK surveying equipment and an understanding of coordinate systems, datums, elevations, and common sources of survey error
• A strong understanding of accuracy, repeatability, and quality assurance when collecting and reviewing geospatial data
• Experience working independently in the field and coordinating equipment, schedules, site access, documentation, and other operational details
• The judgment and communication skills required to supervise a co-op student, assign work, review outputs, and maintain high standards for safety and data quality
• Strong attention to detail and the patience to follow precise, repeatable field and processing workflows
• Comfort developing procedures and solving practical problems in a fast-moving environment where not every process has been defined
• A valid Transport Canada Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations, or the ability to obtain one before beginning flight duties
• A valid, unrestricted driver's licence and the ability to travel regularly between construction sites in the Ottawa area
• Legal authorization to work in Canada and eligibility to obtain any Transport Canada certification required for the role

Nice-to-Have

• Commercial, enterprise, or survey-grade drone operating experience
• Experience planning and conducting drone mapping or photogrammetric surveys
• Experience processing and quality-checking orthomosaics, point clouds, digital elevation models, or 3D reconstructions
• A diploma or degree in surveying, geomatics, civil engineering technology, geography, remote sensing, or a related discipline
• A Transport Canada Pilot Certificate – Level 1 Complex Operations, or progress toward obtaining one
• Experience supporting an RPAS Operator Certificate program, including operational manuals, training programs, safety processes, or regulatory documentation
• Familiarity with BVLOS operations, remote flight operations, or the Canadian regulatory pathways that support them
• Experience deploying, commissioning, operating, or maintaining enterprise drone or automated drone-dock systems
• Previous experience supervising, training, or mentoring junior employees, students, or field crews
• Experience working on construction, earthworks, civil infrastructure, or land-development projects
• Familiarity with photogrammetry software, GIS platforms, geospatial data formats, and transformations between coordinate reference systems

Compensation & Benefits

• $75,000–$110,000 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.