Carlos Femmer is a nationally recognized leader in enterprise drone operations, geomatics, remote sensing, LiDAR, digital twins, and the practical application of emerging technology to complex engineering challenges.
As Vice President of Geomatics and Remote Sensing at HDR, Carlos helps lead the development and implementation of drone, surveying, LiDAR, geophysics, nondestructive testing, artificial intelligence, and digital-twin capabilities across infrastructure and engineering markets. His work includes the creation of operating procedures, technical standards, training programs, quality-control processes, and strategies for deploying advanced technologies in demanding environments.
Carlos has led or participated in pioneering commercial drone missions at some of the nation’s most recognizable and complex locations. His experience includes the first official commercial drone inspection of the Golden Gate Bridge, commercial drone operations below the rim of the Grand Canyon, and first-of-their-kind commercial missions at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. His project portfolio also includes West Point, the United States Naval Academy, Fort Knox, Vandenberg Space Force Base, major dams, airports, rail corridors, bridges, historic structures, military installations, and other high-consequence infrastructure environments.
These projects required far more than simply flying a drone. Carlos has helped engineer complete operational workflows around restricted airspace, active military operations, remote terrain, environmental constraints, security requirements, limited access, aviation coordination, demanding accuracy standards, and complex client expectations.
He is known for a practitioner-first approach that connects technology with real-world engineering, inspection, and decision-making needs. His thought leadership focuses on the systems surrounding the technology, including mission planning, risk management, regulatory coordination, data quality, operational discipline, workforce development, and the design of deliverables that support decisions rather than simply showcase impressive visuals.
Under his leadership, enterprise drone programs have expanded in scale and sophistication, incorporating fixed-wing and multirotor platforms, NDAA- and Blue UAS-compliant systems, photogrammetry, thermal imaging, airborne and terrestrial LiDAR, confined-space inspection, artificial intelligence, and digital-twin delivery.
Carlos has presented at leading industry events and institutions, including Commercial UAV Expo, Geo Week, Autodesk University, Trimble Dimensions, transportation and engineering conferences, and university programs. His work has received national industry recognition, including a Bentley Going Digital Award for the Diablo Dam digital twin.
He is also the creator of The Operator Brief, a newsletter focused on drone operations, applied artificial intelligence, leadership, and human performance. His forthcoming book, UAV Mentor: The Complete Blueprint to Becoming a Professional Drone Pilot, provides aspiring and working drone pilots with a practical roadmap for developing the technical judgment, operational discipline, and professional skills required for a lasting career.
Across his work as an executive, operator, educator, author, and speaker, Carlos advances a central idea: technology is rarely the true deliverable. The real value comes from designing reliable systems that transform complex data into understanding, decisions, and action.