Drone Videographer
Pinnacle · Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tailor my CV for this job — freeJob Description – Drone Videographer
The ideal candidate will be responsible for capturing high-quality visual content and accurate site data for aviation, infrastructure, engineering, industrial, and construction projects.This role requires practical expertise in both professional drone operations and laser scanning, including point cloud registration, processing, quality control, and delivery of coordinate-controlled datasets. The candidate will work closely with Studio, BIM, and engineering teams to deliver compelling visual content and accurate reality-capture outputs in accordance with project specifications, safety standards, and delivery schedules.Key ResponsibilitiesA. Drone Operations, Videography and PhotographyPlan and execute aerial filming, ground videography, and photography for construction progress, infrastructure, aviation facilities, industrial environments, corporate events, and project milestones.Develop shot lists, filming plans, and capture schedules based on project briefs, site conditions, access requirements, and stakeholder expectations.Operate professional drones, cameras, gimbals, and stabilisation equipment to capture high-quality aerial and ground footage.Obtain necessary drone flight permissions, filming approvals, and site access authorisations before commencing operations.Assess weather conditions, operational risks, and site safety requirements to ensure safe and compliant filming.Capture 360-degree imagery, photographs, and visual records to support project documentation, progress monitoring, and digital delivery.Maintain consistent visual records for ongoing projects, ensuring accurate dating, labelling, archiving, and backup of captured media.B. Laser Scanning and Reality Capture — Mandatory RequirementPlan and execute laser scanning activities to capture accurate site data for as-built documentation, scan-to-BIM, and project QA/QC.Operate terrestrial laser scanners (TLS), SLAM/handheld scanners, and mobile scanning systems from at least two major OEM ecosystems, such as Leica, FARO, Trimble, NavVis, or equivalent platforms.Review project scope, required accuracy, scan density, site access, line of sight, station layout, target placement, and survey control requirements before field capture.Establish or utilise survey control using total stations, GNSS, targets, checkerboards, or spheres, and align captured data with the designated project coordinate system.Capture supporting photographs, 360-degree imagery, field notes, station logs, and metadata for each scanning assignment.Perform field quality checks to identify missing coverage, data gaps, and scanning issues, arranging re-scans where necessary.C. Point Cloud Registration and Processing — Mandatory RequirementRegister and align point clouds using target-based, cloud-to-cloud, SLAM-based, and survey-control-based methods.Process and geo-reference point clouds to the required project datum and coordinate system.Review registration reports, including RMSE, overlap, residuals, tie-point accuracy, and SLAM loop closure where applicable.Clean, filter, segment, unify, decimate, and colourise point clouds for downstream BIM and engineering applications.Identify registration errors, noise, reflections, moving objects, and alignment discrepancies, taking corrective action to achieve the required accuracy.Conduct quality checks against project tolerances and document deviations before submitting deliverables to the BIM team.D. Video Editing and Post-ProductionEdit and produce professional videos for corporate films, construction progress reports, engineering presentations, project documentation, and stakeholder communications.Perform colour correction, colour grading, sound treatment, transitions, titles, graphics, and final export using professional editing software.Use Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or equivalent video editing tools, with working knowledge of Adobe After Effects and Photoshop preferred.Organise raw footage, edited videos, photographs, and project media into structured archives with appropriate backups.Ensure final outputs meet technical specifications, visual quality standards, branding guidelines, and delivery timelines.E. BIM Coordination and Data DeliveryCoordinate with BIM modelers, engineers, project teams, and the Studio Manager to understand capture requirements and deliver suitable outputs.Hand over registered point clouds and supporting visual data for scan-to-BIM, model verification, clash detection, and construction quality checks.Use Autodesk ReCap Pro, CloudCompare, and relevant OEM registration software to prepare and validate point cloud datasets.Support the loading, checking, and federation of point clouds in Autodesk Revit and Navisworks.Export and organise deliverables in E57, RCP/RCS, LAS/LAZ, PTS/PTX, and vendor-native formats.Publish project data to Autodesk Construction Cloud or another designated Common Data Environment (CDE), maintaining consistent naming, coordinate references, metadata, traceability, and backups.Integrate aerial footage, photographs, 360-degree imagery, and reality-capture data into project deliverables.F. Equipment Management, Safety and ComplianceMaintain, inspect, calibrate, charge, and safely transport drones, cameras, laser scanners, and associated accessories.Keep equipment firmware, field applications, processing software, and supporting tools updated.Follow applicable UAE drone regulations, flight approvals, site access requirements, permit-to-work procedures, and health and safety standards.Comply with project BIM Execution Plans, scanning procedures, data management protocols, and company operating standards.Maintain equipment inventories, field logs, scanning records, production documentation, and safe operating practices.Support the training of junior technicians where required and contribute to improving capture, processing, and quality-control procedures.Required Qualifications and SkillsMinimum 6 years of relevant professional experience, including substantial hands-on experience in both drone videography and laser scanning/point cloud registration. Candidates must demonstrate practical competence in both areas.Degree or diploma in Film, Cinematography, Media Production, Multimedia, Civil Engineering, Geomatics, Surveying, Geoinformatics, or a related field.Strong portfolio or showreel demonstrating aerial cinematography, ground filming, photography, editing, colour grading, and individual contribution to completed productions.Relevant drone pilot qualifications and practical knowledge of flight regulations, permissions, and safe drone operations.Hands-on experience operating professional drones, cameras, gimbals, and stabilisation equipment.Proven experience operating terrestrial and/or SLAM/mobile laser scanners from at least two major OEM ecosystems, with practical point cloud registration and processing experience.Proficiency in relevant scanning and registration software, such as Leica Cyclone, FARO SCENE, Trimble RealWorks, NavVis IVION, Autodesk ReCap Pro, or CloudCompare.Understanding of survey control, coordinate systems, geo-referencing, registration accuracy, RMSE, point cloud quality checks, and scan coverage requirements.Working knowledge of Revit, Navisworks, point cloud integration, scan-to-BIM workflows, and model verification.Proficiency in Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or equivalent professional video editing tools.Understanding of camera exposure, composition, lighting, audio capture, colour correction, and professional media management.Familiarity with E57, RCP/RCS, LAS/LAZ, PTS/PTX, and native OEM point cloud formats.Strong communication, coordination, documentation, and time-management skills.Ability to work independently at project sites, travel as required, adapt to changing site conditions, and meet delivery deadlines.Preferred QualificationsVendor training or certification in Leica, FARO, Trimble, NavVis, or other professional laser scanning and registration platforms.Experience in aviation, airports, infrastructure, industrial facilities, transportation, or large-scale construction projects.Experience with construction progress monitoring, as-built documentation, scan-to-BIM, and project QA/QC.Knowledge of total stations, GNSS, coordinate transformations, project datums, and survey-grade accuracy requirements.Experience with Autodesk Construction Cloud or similar Common Data Environments.Working knowledge of Adobe After Effects, Photoshop, motion graphics, and visual storytelling.Experience with UAV photogrammetry, 360-degree imagery, 3D Gaussian Splatting, or other reality-capture technologies.Familiarity with ISO 19650 workflows, USIBD Level of Accuracy specifications, and BIM Execution Plans.Knowledge of Python, Dynamo, or other scripting tools for automation of data processing and quality checks.Previous experience in the UAE media, production, engineering, or construction industry.Equipment RequirementsCandidates who own suitable professional production or reality-capture equipment are preferred. Relevant equipment may include:Professional camera drone and ground camera.Camera lenses, gimbals, and stabilisation equipment.Professional microphones and audio recording equipment.Lighting equipment, batteries, memory cards, and storage devices.Laser scanning or 360-degree capture equipment, where applicable.Candidates should provide an equipment list specifying make, model, key specifications, ownership, and availability. Equipment usage and associated terms will be discussed during the recruitment process. Equipment ownership does not replace the requirement for applicable operating qualifications, regulatory approvals, or site permissions.Candidate Submission RequirementsInterested candidates should submit the following:Updated CV highlighting relevant videography, drone operations, laser scanning, and reality-capture experience.Portfolio or showreel demonstrating aerial and ground videography, photography, editing, and colour grading.Examples of laser scanning, point cloud registration, scan-to-BIM, or reality-capture projects demonstrating the candidate’s individual technical contribution.Details of individual contributions to filming, editing, scanning, processing, and final deliverables.Copies or details of relevant drone pilot licences, flight authorisations, and professional certifications.Details of laser scanner OEM platforms, registration software, point cloud formats, and survey-control methods used.Equipment list with specifications and availability.Software proficiency, current location, notice period, and availability to join.Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)Capture Quality: Delivery of high-quality footage, photographs, and complete scanning datasets that meet project requirements.Registration Accuracy: Point clouds registered within specified project tolerances, supported by appropriate registration reports.Scan Coverage: Complete capture of required areas, with minimal data gaps and avoidable re-scans.Production Quality: Professional video output meeting creative briefs, technical standards, and stakeholder expectations.Timely Delivery: Submission of edited videos, registered point clouds, and supporting documentation within agreed deadlines.Data Management: Accurate metadata, coordinate references, file naming, organised archives, and reliable backups.Safety and Compliance: Adherence to drone regulations, site HSE requirements, equipment handling procedures, and applicable operational approvals.Stakeholder Collaboration: Effective coordination with Studio, BIM, engineering, and project teams to support successful project delivery.