You’ll need to have excellent attention to detail to fly unmanned aircraft on planned flight paths. You’ll plan flights carefully and work closely with surveyors, engineers, and track workers to complete inspections and surveys.

Drone operators fly drones to capture high quality imagery and data of infrastructure and rail assets. They develop flight paths based on the needs of a project or job, and will usually need to produce a report at the end of each flight. A drone operator will assess if conditions are safe to fly a drone. This could include weather conditions, or if the drone is able to access certain areas to capture images. They often provide advice on the best way to capture required information. Drone operators also have the technical skills to configure, repair, maintain, and modify the drones they operate.

You’ll be part of a team that builds and maintains infrastructure along the rail network. You’ll work within the rail corridor alongside trains and on construction sites. In some roles you may spend weeks travelling in regional or remote locations to conduct surveys. In most roles you’ll wear protective and safety equipment such as a hardhat, gloves, and hi-visibility clothing. At times, you may be exposed to extremes of heat, cold, and wind.

Drone operators require a Remote Pilot’s Licence (RePL) to fly in Australia. To fly in New Zealand, you may require Part 102 Unmanned Aircraft Operator Certification. A Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma in Surveying may be required for some roles. You may also need technical knowledge of mapping and photogrammetry techniques.