H-1B Visa Remote Sensing Technician Jobs
Remote Sensing Technician roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship under the specialty occupation standard, typically requiring a bachelor's degree in geography, geospatial science, or a related field. Federal agencies, defense contractors, and environmental consulting firms are among the most active H-1B sponsors for this SOC code.
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The Remote Sensing Project Lead – Electric Utility Aerial Mapping is responsible for managing the full lifecycle of electric utility transmission, distribution, and substation aerial and terrestrial mapping projects, from proposal and scoping through data acquisition, LiDAR/imagery classification, PLS-CADD model development, and final deliverable handoff. This role serves as the primary client contact for utility and cooperative clients, coordinating survey, aerial and terrestrial acquisition, classification, and PLS-CADD design teams to ensure deliverables meet client specifications, schedules, and budgets. The Project Lead works closely with Leadership, Production Lead, and technical staff to plan, execute, and track performance across multiple concurrent utility engagements, and may also support other aerial mapping projects outside the utility sector as needed.
JOB DUTIES:
- Manage electric utility transmission, distribution, and substation aerial and terrestrial mapping projects from inception through final PLS-CADD deliverable across multiple concurrent engagements.
- Serve as the primary client contact for utility and cooperative clients; represent Westwood in scoping calls, kickoff meetings, and progress reviews.
- Develop and manage proposals, fee estimates, invoicing, and work-in-process tracking, for utility mapping engagements.
- Coordinate LiDAR and imagery acquisition (fixed-wing, helicopter, UAS, and terrestrial/mobile LiDAR scanning) and ground survey control to meet utility corridor and substation requirements.
- Oversee point cloud classification and feature/attribute coding (conductors, structures, substations, vegetation, ground, etc.) to utility-specific standards, including vegetation clearance classifications.
- Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, and staffing plans across classification, PLS-CADD, and QA/QC teams; proactively communicate status and risks.
- Identify and document scope changes, such as corridor extensions, reflights, or reclassification needs; prepare and negotiate change orders in a timely manner.
- Implement and enforce QA/QC procedures for classified point clouds, feature coding, and PLS-CADD models prior to client delivery.
- Coordinate with production staff, aerial and terrestrial acquisition teams, survey crews, and PLS-CADD designers to align resources and deliverables.
- Provide guidance, technical review, and feedback to project technicians.
- Support other aerial and terrestrial mapping projects outside the utility sector as needed, based on business demand.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
- 5+ years of project management experience in electric utility, transmission/distribution, or geospatial and surveying services.
- In depth knowledge of aerial LiDAR/imagery acquisition and point cloud classification workflows for utility corridors and substations.
- Familiarity with terrestrial/mobile LiDAR scanning platforms and processing workflows.
- Familiarity with PLS-CADD modeling processes and utility engineering to the level of understanding what is required from a mapping sortie.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent utility client engagements and cross-functional technical teams.
- Proficiency in managing project financials, including budgets, invoices, and WIP.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and client management skills.
- ASPRS Certification preferred.
- Direct hands-on experience with PLS-CADD software and utility feature coding standards preferred.
- Experience with substation mapping, vegetation management, encroachment analysis, or clearance reporting for electric utilities preferred.
- Experience across multiple market verticals, including power delivery, renewables, and public infrastructure preferred.
Note: This job description is a general outline of the key responsibilities and qualifications of a Remote Sensing Project Lead – Electric Utility Aerial Mapping. It is not exhaustive and may be subject to change based on the specific needs of the organization and projects.
At Westwood, our purpose is to create a better world for people through our work. We transform the energy grid, design resilient infrastructure, and develop communities that will flourish today and for future generations. With over 50 years of experience and a legacy of innovation, we stand at the forefront of our industry, dedicated to understanding the unique needs of the markets we serve.
Our approach revolves around people. We are committed to building a culture that attracts, retains, and develops high performers. Our team values relationships, innovation, dedication, initiative, and growth. We believe fostering a collaborative “One Team” mentality yields superior outcomes in everything we do.
We customize our technical capabilities and geographic reach to meet our clients where they are and help them realize their vision. We are partners in our clients’ success, driving to provide solutions that make a lasting difference. Safety, sustainability, and operational excellence are not just facets of our work; they are intrinsic to our identity, guiding every decision we make.
We are deeply invested in the communities we serve. Through our projects and giving-back initiatives, we enrich the lives of those we serve, engage others within our industry, and create a lasting impact on communities around the world. To us, success transcends the completion of projects; it is reflected in the lives we have positively impacted by our work.
Join us in creating a better world.
In 2025, Westwood was recognized as #77 on the ENR Top 500 Design Firms. Additionally, Westwood was ranked #5 for ENR's Top Design Firm for Solar, #6 for Battery Storage, and #3 for Wind (2025). The firm consistently ranks on the industry's top 25 lists and receives recognition for its involvement in award-winning projects nationwide.
DESCRIPTION:
The Remote Sensing Project Lead – Electric Utility Aerial Mapping is responsible for managing the full lifecycle of electric utility transmission, distribution, and substation aerial and terrestrial mapping projects, from proposal and scoping through data acquisition, LiDAR/imagery classification, PLS-CADD model development, and final deliverable handoff. This role serves as the primary client contact for utility and cooperative clients, coordinating survey, aerial and terrestrial acquisition, classification, and PLS-CADD design teams to ensure deliverables meet client specifications, schedules, and budgets. The Project Lead works closely with Leadership, Production Lead, and technical staff to plan, execute, and track performance across multiple concurrent utility engagements, and may also support other aerial mapping projects outside the utility sector as needed.
JOB DUTIES:
- Manage electric utility transmission, distribution, and substation aerial and terrestrial mapping projects from inception through final PLS-CADD deliverable across multiple concurrent engagements.
- Serve as the primary client contact for utility and cooperative clients; represent Westwood in scoping calls, kickoff meetings, and progress reviews.
- Develop and manage proposals, fee estimates, invoicing, and work-in-process tracking, for utility mapping engagements.
- Coordinate LiDAR and imagery acquisition (fixed-wing, helicopter, UAS, and terrestrial/mobile LiDAR scanning) and ground survey control to meet utility corridor and substation requirements.
- Oversee point cloud classification and feature/attribute coding (conductors, structures, substations, vegetation, ground, etc.) to utility-specific standards, including vegetation clearance classifications.
- Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, and staffing plans across classification, PLS-CADD, and QA/QC teams; proactively communicate status and risks.
- Identify and document scope changes, such as corridor extensions, reflights, or reclassification needs; prepare and negotiate change orders in a timely manner.
- Implement and enforce QA/QC procedures for classified point clouds, feature coding, and PLS-CADD models prior to client delivery.
- Coordinate with production staff, aerial and terrestrial acquisition teams, survey crews, and PLS-CADD designers to align resources and deliverables.
- Provide guidance, technical review, and feedback to project technicians.
- Support other aerial and terrestrial mapping projects outside the utility sector as needed, based on business demand.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
- 5+ years of project management experience in electric utility, transmission/distribution, or geospatial and surveying services.
- In depth knowledge of aerial LiDAR/imagery acquisition and point cloud classification workflows for utility corridors and substations.
- Familiarity with terrestrial/mobile LiDAR scanning platforms and processing workflows.
- Familiarity with PLS-CADD modeling processes and utility engineering to the level of understanding what is required from a mapping sortie.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent utility client engagements and cross-functional technical teams.
- Proficiency in managing project financials, including budgets, invoices, and WIP.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and client management skills.
- ASPRS Certification preferred.
- Direct hands-on experience with PLS-CADD software and utility feature coding standards preferred.
- Experience with substation mapping, vegetation management, encroachment analysis, or clearance reporting for electric utilities preferred.
- Experience across multiple market verticals, including power delivery, renewables, and public infrastructure preferred.
Note: This job description is a general outline of the key responsibilities and qualifications of a Remote Sensing Project Lead – Electric Utility Aerial Mapping. It is not exhaustive and may be subject to change based on the specific needs of the organization and projects.
At Westwood, our purpose is to create a better world for people through our work. We transform the energy grid, design resilient infrastructure, and develop communities that will flourish today and for future generations. With over 50 years of experience and a legacy of innovation, we stand at the forefront of our industry, dedicated to understanding the unique needs of the markets we serve.
Our approach revolves around people. We are committed to building a culture that attracts, retains, and develops high performers. Our team values relationships, innovation, dedication, initiative, and growth. We believe fostering a collaborative “One Team” mentality yields superior outcomes in everything we do.
We customize our technical capabilities and geographic reach to meet our clients where they are and help them realize their vision. We are partners in our clients’ success, driving to provide solutions that make a lasting difference. Safety, sustainability, and operational excellence are not just facets of our work; they are intrinsic to our identity, guiding every decision we make.
We are deeply invested in the communities we serve. Through our projects and giving-back initiatives, we enrich the lives of those we serve, engage others within our industry, and create a lasting impact on communities around the world. To us, success transcends the completion of projects; it is reflected in the lives we have positively impacted by our work.
Join us in creating a better world.
In 2025, Westwood was recognized as #77 on the ENR Top 500 Design Firms. Additionally, Westwood was ranked #5 for ENR's Top Design Firm for Solar, #6 for Battery Storage, and #3 for Wind (2025). The firm consistently ranks on the industry's top 25 lists and receives recognition for its involvement in award-winning projects nationwide.
See all H-1B Visa Remote Sensing Technician Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Remote Sensing Technician
Verify your SOC code before applying
Remote Sensing Technicians are classified under SOC 17-3031. Confirm this code on O*NET before applying, since some employers file under a different SOC that affects your prevailing wage tier and specialty occupation eligibility.
Check prevailing wage levels using OFLC Wage Search
Look up wage levels for SOC 17-3031 in your target metro area using OFLC Wage Search. Employers must certify your offered salary meets at least Level 1 prevailing wage in the LCA before USCIS will approve your petition.
Target federal contractors with active LCA filings
Defense and intelligence contractors routinely sponsor H-1B visas for remote sensing roles tied to satellite analysis, drone data processing, and terrain mapping. Search Migrate Mate to filter for employers with verified H-1B filing history in this occupation.
Document specialized software credentials explicitly
List your proficiency in ERDAS Imagine, ENVI, or ArcGIS on your resume using exact software names. Employers and USCIS adjudicators use these to establish that your role requires specialized knowledge meeting the specialty occupation threshold.
Ask your employer about cap-exempt filing options
Universities, nonprofit research institutions, and certain government-affiliated labs are cap-exempt H-1B sponsors. If your remote sensing work is research-focused, these employers can file your H-1B petition at any time without waiting for the annual April lottery window.
Request premium processing to compress your start date
Standard H-1B processing runs several months. If you're transitioning from OPT or another status, ask your employer to file with USCIS premium processing, which returns a decision within 15 business days and reduces gap risk between authorization periods.
H-1B Visa Remote Sensing Technician: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Remote Sensing Technician role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, provided the employer requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as geography, geospatial science, surveying, or environmental science. Roles that accept any bachelor's degree regardless of field may face an RFE from USCIS challenging specialty occupation status. Your offer letter and the employer's job posting should explicitly state the degree requirement and field.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for Remote Sensing Technician jobs?
Federal defense contractors, environmental consulting firms, state and local government agencies, utility companies managing infrastructure mapping, and universities with geospatial research programs are the most consistent sponsors. Migrate Mate lets you search specifically for employers with verified H-1B LCA filings for remote sensing and geospatial occupations, so you're not guessing about sponsorship history.
Can I work remotely on an H-1B as a Remote Sensing Technician?
Yes, but your employer must file an amended or new LCA for each location where you perform work, including your home address if you work remotely. Remote sensing work done from a different metro area than what's listed on your current LCA can create compliance issues. Confirm with your employer that they've filed the correct LCA before you begin working from a new location.
What happens to my H-1B if my remote sensing contract ends before my petition expires?
You have a 60-day grace period after your employment ends to find a new H-1B sponsor, change to another nonimmigrant status, or depart the U.S. During that window, a new employer can file an H-1B transfer petition to port your status. USCIS allows you to start working for the new employer as soon as the transfer petition is filed and receipted.
How does prevailing wage affect H-1B sponsorship for Remote Sensing Technicians?
DOL requires employers to certify in the LCA that your offered salary meets the prevailing wage for SOC 17-3031 in your work location. Wage levels run from Level 1 (entry) to Level 4 (senior), and the certified level must match your actual experience and job duties. You can verify the applicable wage for your metro area using OFLC Wage Search before accepting an offer.