Drone Pilot Asset Inspector

About the role

Are you ready to take your drone career to the next level and put your skills to work on critical national infrastructure? At Northpower, operating under our CAA Part 102 certification, you’ll deliver advanced RPAS inspections across New Zealand’s transmission network. Flying DJI Matrice RTK platforms, you’ll be working in complex transmission corridors as part of a professional crew where aviation discipline, safety, and technical expertise come first. From remote high-country spans to urban substations, every mission is a chance to apply your skills where they matter most. Join us in a role that offers variety, travel, and the opportunity to grow into advanced RPAS operations, while helping keep the lights on across Aotearoa.

What you’ll be doing

• Conducting complex inspection missions with DJI RTK platforms across transmission lines, towers, substations and other RPAS operations as required.
• Working as part of a dedicated pilot + observer crew to ensure safe and compliant operations under Northpower’s CAA Part 102 certification.
• Supporting mission planning, risk assessments, and safety briefings using FlyFreely, AirShare, and Flight Advisor platforms.
• Capturing high-resolution imagery and supporting post-flight data processing to ensure inspection outputs meet client standards.
• Maintaining flight records, pilot logbooks, and Operational Competency Assessment (OCA) currency.
• Collaborating with the Chief Pilot and RPAS team to refine inspection methods, including EVLOS and BVLOS operations where authorised.
• Travelling to sites across New Zealand to deliver inspection projects on critical national infrastructure.

About you

We’re looking for a motivated RPAS pilot who thrives in the field, values safety above all else, and is eager to grow into advanced operations. To succeed in this role, you’ll bring :

What’s in it for you

This is a unique opportunity to pioneer new ways of working and take ownership of a role with huge growth potential.

About Us

Northpower is an electricity and fibre network provider for Whangārei and Kaipara, with more than 60,000 connected customers. Northpower is one of the largest multi-utility contractors in New Zealand, servicing the needs of clients in transmission, distribution, generation, fibre, renewables, and commercial sectors. We have a reputation for excellence and innovation, providing commercially viable solutions for electrical and telecommunication design, construction, and maintenance requirements. We have over 1,400 staff working together across 14 locations to keep the power on and the lights going for our customers.

Get in touch

If you’re looking to take the next step in your career, feel inspired to join a value-based, culture of care and an employer who fosters an innovative environment where professional development is supported direct your profile into our career’s website and search for #Req 1721. Suitable applicants will be interviewed whilst the advertisement is open. Send in your interest early!

Pre-employment checks may include a criminal history check, drug and alcohol testing, and a medical assessment.

Northpower has an in-house recruitment team who manage recruitment for all our vacancies. If you\'re interested in a role with us, we would encourage you to apply directly online to us, as we don\'t accept candidates via agency (unless the role is advertised by the agency at our request).

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