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Chief Uav Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Anduril Industries

Chief Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

Layout system design plans and interfaces for new UAV products and platforms * Work within a team of multidisciplinary engineers and specialists throughout the life of UAV design and integration ...

Atwell, LLC

Assistant Crew Chief

Port Charlotte, FL

$16 - $20.75/hr

Basic plan and map reading (i.e., construction/engineering plans, topographic surveys, boundary ... Proficiency in conducting UAV surveys and processing point cloud data is preferred. Knowledge of ...

LaBella Associates

Survey Crew Chief

Poughkeepsie, NY · On-site

$27 - $38/hr

As a Survey Crew Chief for LaBella, you will perform survey assignments related to topographic and ... LiDAR and UAV/drone, structure monitoring in support of land surveying, civil engineering ...

LaBella Associates

Survey Crew Chief

Albany, NY · On-site

$27 - $38/hr

As a Survey Crew Chief for LaBella, you will perform survey assignments related to topographic and ... LiDAR and UAV/drone, structure monitoring in support of land surveying, civil engineering ...

Tetra Tech

Survey Party Chief

Oakland, CA

$75K - $110K/yr

Our industry-leading experts in engineering and consulting are committed to driving positive change ... This role also offers exposure to emerging technologies including UAV surveys and laser scanning.

Anduril Industries

Chief Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$191K - $253K/yr

Layout system design plans and interfaces for new UAV products and platforms * Work within a team of multidisciplinary engineers and specialists throughout the life of UAV design and integration ...

Tetra Tech, Inc.

Survey Party Chief

Oakland, CA · On-site

$75K - $110K/yr

Our industry-leading experts in engineering and consulting are committed to driving positive change ... This role also offers exposure to emerging technologies including UAV surveys and laser scanning.

LaBella Associates

Survey Crew Chief

Albany, NY · On-site

$27 - $38/hr

As a Survey Crew Chief for LaBella, you will perform survey assignments related to topographic and ... LiDAR and UAV/drone, structure monitoring in support of land surveying, civil engineering ...

LaBella Associates

Survey Crew Chief

Rochester, NY · On-site

$27 - $38/hr

As a Survey Crew Chief for LaBella, you will perform survey assignments related to topographic and ... LiDAR and UAV/drone, structure monitoring in support of land surveying, civil engineering ...

LaBella Associates

Survey Crew Chief

Rochester, NY · On-site

$27 - $38/hr

As a Survey Crew Chief for LaBella, you will perform survey assignments related to topographic and ... LiDAR and UAV/drone, structure monitoring in support of land surveying, civil engineering ...

LaBella Associates

Survey Crew Chief

Rochester, NY · On-site

$27 - $38/hr

As a Survey Crew Chief for LaBella, you will perform survey assignments related to topographic and ... LiDAR and UAV/drone, structure monitoring in support of land surveying, civil engineering ...

LaBella Associates

Survey Crew Chief

Chattanooga, TN · On-site

As a Survey Crew Chief for LaBella, you will perform survey assignments related to topographic and ... LiDAR and UAV/drone, structure monitoring in support of land surveying, civil engineering ...

Labellapc

Survey Crew Chief

Chattanooga, TN · On-site

$60 - $80/hr

As a Survey Crew Chief for LaBella, you will perform survey assignments related to topographic and ... LiDAR and UAV/drone, structure monitoring in support of land surveying, civil engineering ...

LaBella Associates

Survey Crew Chief

Chattanooga, TN · On-site

As a Survey Crew Chief for LaBella, you will perform survey assignments related to topographic and ... LiDAR and UAV/drone, structure monitoring in support of land surveying, civil engineering ...

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Chief Uav Engineer information

See salary details

$32.5K

$92.9K

$181K

How much do chief uav engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief uav engineer in the United States is $92,945.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,000.00 and $120,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a chief UAV engineer?

Chief UAV Engineers are senior professionals responsible for overseeing the design, development, and deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones. They lead engineering teams, manage complex projects, and ensure that UAV systems meet technical, safety, and regulatory standards. Chief UAV Engineers typically collaborate with other departments, handle troubleshooting and optimization, and stay up-to-date with advancements in UAV technology. Their role is crucial in industries such as aerospace, defense, agriculture, and logistics.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chief UAV engineer?

To thrive as a Chief UAV Engineer, you need a strong background in aerospace engineering, robotics, and flight systems, typically supported by an advanced engineering degree and industry experience. Familiarity with CAD software, UAV simulation tools, avionics systems, and certifications such as Part 107 Remote Pilot are highly valuable. Leadership, problem-solving, and effective communication are essential soft skills that enable successful project management and cross-functional collaboration. These competencies ensure the design, development, and deployment of reliable UAV systems while meeting regulatory and safety standards.

What are some common challenges chief UAV engineers face when leading multidisciplinary teams?

Chief UAV Engineers often collaborate with professionals from various fields such as software, hardware, aerodynamics, and compliance. A common challenge is balancing technical depth with big-picture project management, ensuring all team members are aligned on goals and timelines. Effective communication, conflict resolution, and fostering a culture of innovation are key to overcoming these challenges. Additionally, staying current with rapidly evolving UAV technologies and regulatory requirements adds complexity to leadership responsibilities.

What is the difference between Chief Uav Engineer vs Uav Systems Engineer?

AspectChief Uav EngineerUav Systems Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, UAV certifications, leadership experienceEngineering degree, UAV certifications, technical expertise
Work EnvironmentProject management, team leadership, strategic planningDesign, development, testing of UAV systems
Industry UsageLeadership roles in UAV projects, overseeing teamsTechnical roles focused on UAV system development
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership and management in UAV engineeringTechnical development and system design of UAVs

The Chief Uav Engineer typically oversees UAV projects, manages teams, and ensures strategic goals are met, requiring leadership and management skills. In contrast, a Uav Systems Engineer focuses on designing, developing, and testing UAV systems, emphasizing technical expertise. Both roles require UAV-specific certifications and engineering backgrounds, but their responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

What are popular job titles related to Chief Uav Engineer jobs?

For Chief Uav Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Chief Uav Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 92% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,945 per year, or $44.7 per hour.

UAV Test Engineer (Systems/Mechatronics)

Sausalito, CA • On-site

Seneca
See more jobs at Senecaexternal

$110K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

The Job:
Seneca is seeking a Test Engineer to build the technical foundation of our UAV test program. This is a individual contributor role focused on designing test plans, instrumenting vehicles, creating test infrastructure, and analyzing system-level performance across mechanical, electrical, and software domains.
You will operate as a multi-disciplinary systems test engineer-strong in mechatronics, comfortable debugging across domains, and able to turn ambiguous engineering questions into structured experiments. with enough breadth to collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software specialists, while owning system-level test execution end to end. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in fast-moving hardware environments and enjoys working across the full stack of UAV systems.
What You'll Do:
  • Develop and own system-level test plans for ground and flight testing, with clear objectives, sequences, and success criteria.
  • Design and maintain test infrastructure and instrumentation, ensuring vehicles and test setups capture high-quality, actionable data.
  • Provide technical oversight of test execution, validating readiness, guiding pilots and operators, and ensuring procedural rigor.
  • Analyze telemetry, logs, and performance data to characterize system behavior, identify root causes, and inform engineering decisions.
  • Drive continuous improvement of test methods, documentation, workflows, and tools.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with hardware and software teams to align test activities with development needs and translate findings into design actions.

What You Bring:
  • 3-5 years experience in UAV, robotics, aerospace, or electromechanical systems testing.
  • Strong mechatronics intuition: able to debug mechanical, electrical, and software-integration issues at a system level.
  • Experience designing structured experiments and test plans.
  • Hands-on experience instrumenting complex systems and validating data quality.
  • Ability to define requirements and prototype fixtures.
  • Competence analyzing logs, telemetry, and multi-domain performance data.
  • Comfortable working in both lab and field environments, including variable outdoor conditions.
  • Basic CAD proficiency.

Nice to have:
  • Passion for UAVs and aviation
  • Exposure to PX4/ArduPilot, ROS, or similar robotics frameworks.
  • Familiarity with reliability, accelerated life, or environmental testing.
  • FAA Part 107 certification or willingness to obtain one.

Beyond technical skills, we value:
  • Ownership mentality - take projects from idea to execution
  • Balance of velocity and quality - Ability to operate calmly in fast-paced, experimental environments while maintaining high engineering standards and disciplined test execution
  • Efficiency & follow-through - keeps test program unblocked and organized
  • Iterative problem solving - breakdown complex problems, prototype, and refine
  • Kindness and humility - thrive in collaborative, mission-driven cross-functional teams that value open communication.

What We Offer:
  • Competitive Salary - Reflective of your skills and experience
  • Equity Compensation - Be a part-owner in the company's future
  • Comprehensive Health Coverage - Including medical, dental, and vision plans
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) - Optional pre-tax savings for medical expenses
  • Unlimited PTO - Flexible time off to recharge, plus paid company holidays

About Us
Seneca is building cutting-edge drone and sensor technology for wildfire suppression, aiming to eliminate wildfire risk across 500 million acres of high-risk U.S. + allied territory. Backed by top-tier investors, including Convective Capital, Caffeinated Capital, First Round Capital, Slow Ventures, Nextview Ventures, Transition Capital, Bullpen Capital, Stepstone Group, Roar Capital, Offline Ventures, and leaders from Palantir, Google, Meta, and many others, the company has raised $110M in Series A funding and is valued over $500 million. Founded by Stu Landesberg (former Founder & CEO of Grove Collaborative - IPO in 2022 at $1.7B) and fire industry experts, Seneca is a mission-driven company dedicated to climate resilience and fire prevention.
Don't meet every single requirement? If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply - you may still be the right fit for our team.

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