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Contract Drone Pilot Jobs (NOW HIRING)

LMI

Drone Pilot - Clearance Required

Fort Bragg, CA

$103K - $179K/yr

Overview LMI is seeking a Drone Pilot /Autonomy Test Operator to support a Department of War ... contract requirements, and candidate qualifications, such as education, experience, skills, and ...

LMI

Drone Pilot - Clearance Required

Fort Bragg, CA · On-site

$103K - $179K/yr

Overview LMI is seeking a Drone Pilot /Autonomy Test Operator to support a Department of War ... contract requirements, and candidate qualifications, such as education, experience, skills, and ...

LMI

Drone Pilot - Clearance Required

Fort Bragg, CA

$103K - $179K/yr

LMI is seeking a Drone Pilot /Autonomy Test Operator to support a Department of War mission partner ... contract requirements, and candidate qualifications, such as education, experience, skills, and ...

Ensite Services

Be Seen First

Residential Site Surveyor - Drone Pilot

Columbus, OH · On-site

$800 - $2.0K/wk

Ensite Services LLC -- Contract (1099) ( Full-Time ) Ensite partners with solar and roofing ... Drone with FAA Part 107 license * Basic hand tools * Smartphone * Valid driver's license and ...

Ensite Services

Be Seen First

Residential Site Surveyor - Drone Pilot

Worcester, MA · On-site

$800 - $2.0K/wk

Ensite Services LLC -- Contract (1099) ( Full-Time ) Ensite partners with solar and roofing ... Drone with FAA Part 107 license * Basic hand tools * Smartphone * Valid driver's license and ...

Exact Solar

Solar Site Visit Technician

Newtown, PA · On-site

The site visit technician visits homes and businesses as the last step in the pre-contract process ... drone pilot license for use of the drone and conducting site visits independently. This is an ...

Apidel Technologies

Analyst 1

Nashville, TN · On-site

Aeronautics Data and Field Support Technician Aeronautics is seeking a contract worker to support ... Communicate with the drone pilot and field staff during flights. Help with basic field notes ...

Chess

Instructor-sUAS (Drone) Technology

Espanola, NM · On-site

... faculty contract. Instructors are normally hired in Career and Technical Education Programs ... pilot operation, FAA Part 107 certification preparation, commercial deployment of Small Unmanned ...

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All JobsContract Drone Pilot Jobs

Contract Drone Pilot information

See salary details

$54K

$113.1K

$199.5K

How much do contract drone pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract drone pilot in the United States is $113,105.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,500.00 and $129,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a contract drone pilot?

To thrive as a Contract Drone Pilot, you need strong piloting skills, knowledge of aviation safety, and familiarity with regulations, often supported by FAA Part 107 certification or equivalent. Proficiency with drone flight planning apps, aerial imaging software, and data management systems is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and clear communication are valuable soft skills for this role. These competencies are crucial for conducting safe flights, gathering accurate data, and successfully collaborating with clients or team members in diverse field environments.

What are the typical work environments and project types for contract drone pilots?

Contract drone pilots often work in a range of environments, from agriculture fields and construction sites to real estate listings and public events, depending on client needs. Projects may include aerial photography, mapping, surveying, inspections, or videography, so adaptability to different settings and requirements is essential. Work can be highly variable, with some periods involving extensive field work and travel, and others focused on data processing or reporting. Pilots frequently collaborate with clients, project managers, or technical teams to ensure mission objectives are met and deliverables are high-quality. This variety provides opportunities to gain experience across industries and build a diverse portfolio.

What is a contract drone pilot?

A Contract Drone Pilot is a freelancer or independent contractor who operates drones for various clients on a project-by-project basis. These pilots capture aerial footage, conduct inspections, map terrain, or perform other tasks depending on the industry. Common fields include real estate, construction, agriculture, and public safety. Contract pilots must typically have a drone license, liability insurance, and the necessary equipment. This role offers flexibility but requires self-marketing and business management skills.

More about Contract Drone Pilot jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Drone Pilot jobs? Cities with the most Contract Drone Pilot job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Drone Pilot jobs? The most popular types of Drone Pilot jobs are:
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Contract Drone Pilot jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Drone Pilot job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,105 per year, or $54.4 per hour.

Drone Pilot - Clearance Required

LMI Consulting, LLC

Fort Liberty, NC • On-site

$103K - $179K/yr

Other

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Drone Pilot - Clearance Required
Job Locations US-NC-Fort Bragg
Job ID 2026-14268 # of Openings 4 Benefit Type Salaried High Fringe/Full-Time
Overview

LMI is seeking a Drone Pilot /Autonomy Test Operator to support a Department of War mission partner on site at Fort Bragg, NC.

This role operates at the intersection of tactical UAS operations, autonomy testing, and rapid capability development. The selected candidate will serve as a key operational asset responsible for executing flight operations, supporting testing, and providing real-world feedback to engineers and developers.

This position directly contributes to accelerating the fielding of autonomous and semi-autonomous unmanned systems across the Department of War.

This is not a conventional UAS pilot role. The selected candidate will operate at the intersection of:

    Tactical FPV flight execution
  • Autonomy testing and human-machine teaming
  • Rapid capability iteration with engineers and developers

You will serve as a key operational test asset, providing real-world feedback that directly informs system performance and future capability development.

LMI is a new breed of digital solutions provider dedicated to accelerating government impact with innovation and speed. Investing in technology and prototypes ahead of need, LMI brings commercial-grade platforms and mission-ready AI to federal agencies at commercial speed.

Leveraging our mission-ready technology and solutions, proven expertise in federal deployment, and strategic relationships, we enhance outcomes for the government, efficiently and effectively. With a focus on agility and collaboration, LMI serves the defense, space, healthcare, and energy sectors-helping agencies navigate complexity and outpace change. Headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, LMI is committed to delivering impactful results that strengthen missions and drive lasting value.

This position is in-person in North Carolina and requires an active Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

Operational Execution

  • Conduct advanced FPV and Group 1-2 UAS flight operations in dynamic and contested environments
  • Execute test scenarios, mission profiles, and evaluation events in support of autonomy development
  • Operate across manual, assisted, and autonomous control modes
  • Maintain safe multi-vehicle operations in complex airspace and RF environments

Test & Evaluation Support

  • Plan and execute flight test events (pre-flight, execution, post-flight analysis)
  • Capture operational data and contribute to formal test reporting
  • Support rapid prototyping and iterative development cycles

Technical Integration

  • Configure, troubleshoot, and repair FPV and UAS systems
  • Integrate payloads, communications systems, and mission-specific components
  • Optimize system performance for operational use

Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Work directly with engineers, developers, and government stakeholders
  • Translate operator feedback into actionable technical insights
  • Support capability development and system refinement efforts
Qualifications
  • Active Secret Clearance required
  • 5+ years of operational UAS/FPV experience in military, government, or defense industry environments
  • Advanced FPV flight proficiency (Acro Mode, precision maneuvering)
  • Experience conducting operations in dynamic or contested environments
  • Strong understanding of aeronautical decision-making (ADM) and UAS risk management
  • Experience with UAS system integration, testing, or evaluation
  • Ability to operate in high-tempo, ambiguous environments
  • Ability to operate outdoors in austere environments for extended periods
  • Ability to lift and carry equipment up to 50lbs
  • Willingness to travel (0-25%)

Desired Qualifications

  • SOF or tactical military experience with UAS integration
  • Instructor or evaluator experience in UAS operations
  • Experience with FPV system builds, soldering, and fabrication
  • Familiarity with Betaflight, PX4, ArduPilot, and RF systems (Crossfire, ELRS)
  • Experience operating in GPS-denied or EW-contested environments
  • Knowledge of DoD Test & Evaluation processes
  • TS/SCI clearance

Target salary range: $103,784 - $179,659

Disclaimer: The salary range displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is not a guarantee of compensation. Individual salaries are determined by various factors including, but not limited to location, internal equity, business considerations, client contract requirements, and candidate qualifications, such as education, experience, skills, and security clearances.

Job Locations
US-NC-Fort Bragg

LMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. LMI is committed to the fair treatment of all and to our policy of providing applicants and employees with equal employment opportunities. LMI recruits, hires, trains, and promotes people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, pregnancy, disability, age, protected veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you are a person with a disability needing assistance with the application process, please contact accommodations@lmi.org
Colorado Residents: In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
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