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Aerial Camera Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Vexcel

Check Airman / Training Pilot

Medford, OR · On-site

... market-leading aerial survey cameras. In addition, the Vexcel Data Program brings world class ... Ensure pilots are safely operating aircraft in compliance with all laws and regulations of the ...

Metrea Management LLC

Lead Training ARO

Temecula, CA · On-site

$175K/yr

... aerial firefighting, and advanced simulation.  Wherever we operate, we build vertically ... With operators and engineers under one roof, we close the gap between lab and field--what we call ...

DC Government Careers

Helicopter Pilot

Washington, DC · On-site

$106K - $137K/yr

The purpose of this position is to operate a helicopter in the performance and support of aerial ... Utilizes Night Vision Goggles (NVG) and Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) camera systems to conduct ...

Skyways

Senior Computer Vision Engineer

Austin, TX

$103K - $142K/yr

... operating environments. Your work will directly impact how aircraft identify safe landing areas ... Work with onboard camera, IMU, GPS, and other sensor data in real flight environments * Improve ...

Skyways

Senior Computer Vision Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$103K - $142K/yr

... operating environments. Your work will directly impact how aircraft identify safe landing areas ... Work with onboard camera, IMU, GPS, and other sensor data in real flight environments * Improve ...

Skyways

Senior Computer Vision Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$103K - $142K/yr

... operating environments. Your work will directly impact how aircraft identify safe landing areas ... Work with onboard camera, IMU, GPS, and other sensor data in real flight environments * Improve ...

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Aerial Camera Operator information

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$13

$28

$62

How much do aerial camera operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for aerial camera operator in the United States is $28.16, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $30.53 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a typical workday look like for an Aerial Camera Operator?

A typical workday for an Aerial Camera Operator often involves setting up and calibrating cameras, coordinating with directors and pilots on shot lists, and capturing footage from various aerial platforms such as drones or helicopters. Workdays can vary depending on the nature of the project, with some days spent outdoors on location shoots and others in studio settings reviewing captured footage. Collaboration with team members—including cinematographers, flight crew, and production staff—is frequent and essential for achieving the desired visual results. Operators may also need to perform basic equipment maintenance and ensure compliance with aviation safety protocols.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Aerial Camera Operator position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Aerial Camera Operator, you need expertise in operating camera equipment and familiarity with aerial platforms such as drones, helicopters, or cranes, often supported by relevant certifications like a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate for drone work. Technical proficiency with camera stabilization systems, remote control technology, and video monitoring tools is typically essential. Strong spatial awareness, problem-solving skills, and effective communication set top candidates apart. These capabilities are crucial for capturing high-quality footage safely while coordinating closely with directors and flight crew in dynamic environments.

What does an Aerial Camera Operator do?

An Aerial Camera Operator captures footage from aircraft such as helicopters, drones, or planes for film, television, news, or commercial projects. They use specialized camera equipment to get dynamic overhead shots, ensuring smooth and stable imagery. This role requires technical expertise, knowledge of aerial safety regulations, and collaboration with pilots and directors to achieve the best shots.

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Aerial Camera Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Aerial Camera Operator job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 25% Contract. Highlights an 88% In-person, 6% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,583 per year, or $28.2 per hour.
Robotics Perception Engineer I/II - Perception Systems & Integration

Robotics Perception Engineer I/II - Perception Systems & Integration

Zone 5 Technologies

San Luis Obispo, CA

Other

Posted 29 days ago

Job description

We are seeking a Robotics Perception Engineer to build and integrate real-time vision systems and perception infrastructure for unmanned aerial platforms. You will develop camera pipelines, implement sensor fusion algorithms, and create robust testing frameworks to ensure reliable perception performance across diverse operating conditions. 

Responsibilities: 

Vision System Integration 

  • Develop and maintain camera drivers and sensor interfaces for multi-camera systems on embedded platforms
  • Integrate off-the-shelf and custom perception algorithms into production autonomy stacks
  • Build efficient image processing pipelines using GStreamer, V4L2, and Jetson multimedia APIs
  • Implement camera calibration workflows including intrinsic, extrinsic, and temporal synchronization
  • Design data logging and telemetry systems for perception subsystem monitoring and debugging 

Perception Infrastructure & ROS2 Development 

  • Build ROS2 nodes for camera capture, sensor fusion, and perception output distribution 
  • Develop standardized message interfaces and APIs between perception, planning, and control systems 
  • Create visualization and diagnostic tools for real-time perception system health monitoring 
  • Implement efficient data serialization and transport for high-bandwidth sensor streams 
  • Maintain perception software repositories with proper documentation and version control 

Algorithm Implementation & Tuning 

  • Integrate visual-inertial odometry (VIO) and SLAM libraries for state estimation 
  • Tune EKF/UKF filters for multi-sensor fusion from IMU, cameras, barometers, and rangefinders 
  • Implement outlier rejection and sensor health monitoring for robust operation 
  • Optimize algorithm parameters based on flight test data and performance metrics 

Testing & Validation 

  • Design comprehensive test scenarios in simulation environments 
  • Develop automated regression test suites for continuous integration of perception updates 
  • Analyze flight logs and sensor data to identify failure modes and performance degradation 
  • Create hardware-in-the-loop test setups for pre-flight validation 
  • Support flight test operations and conduct post-flight performance analysis 

Qualifications:

  • 2-4+ years of experience in robotics perception, computer vision, or sensor integration 
  • Bachelor's in Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field - equivalent industry experience also welcome
  • Proficient in C++14/17 with understanding of modern software development practices 
  • Strong hands-on experience with ROS2 architecture, packages, and development workflows 
  • Solid understanding of camera systems, image sensors, and computer vision fundamentals 
  • Experience with sensor calibration procedures and multi-sensor time synchronization 
  • Familiarity with Linux development environments and embedded systems 
  • Strong debugging skills and experience with system-level integration 

Preferred: 

  • Experience with camera drivers, GStreamer, V4L2, or similar multimedia frameworks 
  • Hands-on experience with NVIDIA Jetson platforms (Orin, Xavier, AGX) 
  • Prior work with small UAVs, drones, or mobile robotics platforms 
  • Familiarity with PX4 or ArduPilot autopilot systems and MAVLink protocol 
  • Experience with state estimation techniques (EKF, UKF, particle filters) 
  • Knowledge of VIO/SLAM frameworks (OpenVINS, VINS-Fusion, ORB-SLAM) 
  • Python skills for data analysis, visualization, and tooling development 
  • Understanding of real-time systems and computational performance optimization 
  • Experience with CI/CD pipelines for robotics software 
    • Background in sensor fusion, optical flow, or feature-based tracking 

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