College Intern - Flight Services

Requisition ID

: 20040

Join us in building a better future for Arizona!

SRP is one of the largest public power and water utilities in the U.S. providing electricity to approximately one million customers in the greater metropolitan Phoenix area. Since its founding in 1903, SRP has fostered a culture of stewardship and customer service consistently ranking as an industry leader in customer service according to J.D. Power and named one of Arizona's best employers by Forbes. SRP continues to adapt to its changing business environment by seeking innovative ways to reimagine utility service and the provision of critical resources essential to the life and economy of Arizona.

Why Work at SRP

At SRP, we foster an inclusive work environment and believe everyone should have a fair chance to work, regardless of who they are. That’s why we value teams with diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds to help SRP deliver on its mission of providing reliable, affordable and sustainable water and power.

Benefits

SRP's success is rooted in our employees' happiness, health, and safety. That's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package to meet the needs of our employees and enhance their well-being. In addition to competitive pay and performance incentives, eligible employees can take advantage of the following benefits:

- 401(k) plan with employer matching

- Access to a recreation and fitness facility

- Tuition assistance for both undergraduate and graduate programs: College interns are eligible to receive $1000 per calendar year

Summary

The SRP UAS Intern will support the Flight Services department by assisting with unmanned aircraft operations, mission planning, data collection, data processing, and project coordination across various SRP business units. This internship provides hands‑on experience with industry‑leading UAS technology, geospatial tools, and real‑world utility applications, offering an excellent opportunity for students pursuing degrees in UAS or related fields.

The student intern will work daily scheduled hours based on the department’s needs, with a minimum requirement of 15 hours and up to 40 hours per week maximum.

What You'll Do Operational Support

- Assist UAS pilots with pre‑flight preparation, mission planning, checklists, and equipment setup.

- Support onsite UAS operations including field logistics, safety setup, ground crew operations, and mission documentation.

- Help maintain UAS platforms, batteries, payloads, and support equipment.

Geospatial & Data Processing

- Process imagery and sensor data using software platforms such as Pix4D, Metashape, ArcGIS Pro, Global Mapper, or other SRP‑approved tools.

- Help generate deliverables including orthomosaics, DEMs, 3D models, point clouds, thermal products, and inspection reports.

- Organize, label, and archive datasets in accordance with SRP data management standards.

Research & Innovation

- Assist with evaluating new UAS technologies, sensors, and workflows.

- Support internal testing, flight validations, and documentation for emerging tools or mission profiles.

- Participate in the development of training materials or project summaries as needed.

Cross‑Department Collaboration

- Work with SRP engineering, environmental, water management, land services, and other teams to understand project needs and support UAS‑based solutions.

- Participate in meetings and report project updates, observations, and findings.

Education

College level coursework (100+) from an accredited institution will be evaluated on an individual basis according to the skill/level to determine if applicable to the position by management.

Additional Requirements And Qualifications Preferred Certifications & Experience

- FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107).

- FAA Medical Certificate (3rd Class) or willingness to obtain during internship

- Current enrollment in a relevant degree program such as Unmanned Aircraft Systems or related fields.

- Interest in UAS technology, remote sensing, or geospatial applications.

- Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

- Ability to work outdoors in varied conditions and lift up to 40 lbs.

- Basic computer proficiency including Microsoft Office.

Preferred Certifications

- Experience or coursework involving UAS operations, photogrammetry, GIS, or data analysis.

- Familiarity with UAS flight planning applications (e.g., DJI Pilot, UgCS, QGroundControl).

- Exposure to geospatial software (ArcGIS Pro, Pix4D, Metashape, etc.).

Internship Details

- Schedule: Full‑time (40 hrs/week) during summer or part‑time options depending on academic schedule. Must be available to work onsite.

- Location: SRP Flight Services / Field locations across Arizona.

- Duration: Typically, 10–12 weeks (flexible based on academic needs).

Hybrid Workplace

SRP currently offers a hybrid workplace, which allows employees whose jobs can be performed remotely, and who have sufficient technical capability, to telework up to three days per week. Although teleworking is available, all employees must live and work in Arizona.

Drug/Alcohol Policy Statement

To promote the safety and well-being of our employees, customers, and the communities we serve, SRP is committed to maintaining a drug/alcohol free work environment. Although marijuana may now be legal in Arizona, except as otherwise specified under Arizona law, SRP considers it to be an illegal drug for the purpose of our drug/alcohol policy because marijuana remains illegal at the federal level. Any candidate found to be impaired during the hiring process or who has the presence of an illegal drug or unauthorized substance in their system during the pre-employment drug/alcohol test may be disqualified from further consideration in the hiring process.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Salt River Project (SRP) is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state or local law.

Work Authorization

All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Currently, SRP does not sponsor H1B visas, OPT, or other employment-related visas.