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Contract Drone Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Helsing

Software Engineer, Rust

Washington, DC · On-site +1

We build Altra, an AI-powered drone software platform, and HX-2, our autonomous drone. We are ... contracts * We actively encourage healthy, proactive, and diverse debate internally about what we ...

Helsing

Software Engineer, Rust

Washington, DC · On-site

We build Altra, an AI-powered drone software platform, and HX-2, our autonomous drone. We are ... contracts * We actively encourage healthy, proactive, and diverse debate internally about what we ...

helsing.ai

$170 - $210/hr

We build Altra, an AI-powered drone software platform, and HX-2, our autonomous drone. We are ... contracts We actively encourage healthy, proactive, and diverse debate internally about what we do ...

ZeroMark, Inc.

General Software Engineer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

ZeroMark, Inc. builds AI-driven counter-drone systems that work in combat, focusing on practical ... S. citizenship is required due to government contract requirements. Preferred : • Experience with ...

Front Door Defense

$125 - $185/hr

Software Engineer (Drone Stack)"Develop and deploy end-to-end autonomy stacks on defense UAV platforms" Location: Washington, District of Columbia Arlington, Virginia Compensation: $125,000 - 185,000 ...

ZeroMark

General Software Engineer

New York, NY · On-site

About Us ZeroMark builds AI-driven counter-drone systems that actually work in combat. No ... We've doubled year-over-year for two straight years, winning contracts that prove what we've always ...

Staffingine LLC

Drone Data Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$109K - $131K/yr

Contract * Drone Data Execution Engineer Skydio * Drone Operations Data Execution * Plan execute and optimize drone missions for inspection surveillance mapping and monitoring use cases * Ensure ...

GliaCell Technologies

Software Engineer

Annapolis, MD · On-site

$50 - $120/hr

Tired of being treated like a company drone? * Tired of promised adventures during the hiring phase ... Seven (7) years of experience as a SWE, in programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and ...

XTEND

Embedded Software Engineer

Tampa, FL · On-site

$124K - $163K/yr

Description XTEND Tampa is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer to support the development, integration, and production of autonomous drone systems. This role focuses on hands-on embedded software ...

Tycho AI, Inc

Senior Software Engineer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$133K - $176K/yr

About the Role We are looking for experienced energetic software engineers to join our growing team ... Experience with Drone software (such as Ardupilot, Betaflight). * Familiarity with defense software ...

Front Door Defense

$125 - $165/hr

Drone Stack - Software Engineer Lead integration and deployment of autonomous flight software on UAV hardware for defense Location: Fort Walton Beach, Florida Compensation: $125,000 - 165,000 USD ...

MAG Aerospace

Senior Software Engineer

Aberdeen, MD · On-site

$150 - $180/hr

... contract. The position supports Engineering and Technical Support (ETS) activities for a broad ... UAV/drone platforms, motors, and control systems Requirements Requirements: MUST HAVE * Senior:

GliaCell Technologies

Software Engineer

Annapolis, MD · On-site

$50K - $120K/yr

Tired of being treated like a company drone? * Tired of promised adventures during the hiring phase ... Seven (7) years of experience as a SWE, in programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and ...

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All Jobsfreelance JobsContract Drone Software Engineer Jobs

Contract Drone Software Engineer information

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$63.5K

$147.5K

$205.5K

How much do contract drone software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract drone software engineer in the United States is $147,524.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,000.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract drone software engineer?

Contract Drone Software Engineers are professionals hired on a temporary or project basis to design, develop, and maintain software systems for drones (unmanned aerial vehicles). They typically work on tasks such as flight control, navigation, data processing, and integration with hardware components. These engineers may collaborate with clients in industries like agriculture, defense, delivery, or surveying to deliver custom drone solutions. Their roles often require expertise in programming languages, embedded systems, robotics, and sometimes compliance with aviation regulations.

What are some common challenges faced by contract drone software engineers when integrating new software with existing drone hardware?

Contract Drone Software Engineers often encounter challenges ensuring compatibility between custom software solutions and a variety of drone hardware platforms. Differences in firmware, sensor configurations, and communication protocols can require significant troubleshooting and adaptation. Additionally, maintaining real-time performance and safety standards while working under tight project deadlines can be demanding. Effective collaboration with hardware engineers and clear documentation practices are essential for overcoming these integration hurdles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract drone software engineer, and why are they important?

To excel as a Contract Drone Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills (often in Python, C++, or Java), experience with embedded systems, and a background in computer science, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with drone-specific development platforms (such as PX4, ArduPilot), flight control systems, and version control tools like Git is typically required. Excellent problem-solving abilities, adaptability, and effective communication skills help you address unique client needs and collaborate remotely. These competencies are crucial for delivering reliable, innovative drone solutions on time and within project specifications.

What is the difference between Contract Drone Software Engineer vs Contract UAV Software Developer?

AspectContract Drone Software EngineerContract UAV Software Developer
CredentialsRelevant certifications in drone technology, software developmentSimilar certifications in UAV systems, software engineering
Work EnvironmentTypically in aerospace, defense, or commercial drone companiesOften in aerospace, research labs, or defense contractors
Industry UsageUsed in commercial, military, and recreational drone projectsPrimarily in military, research, and commercial UAV applications
Search IntentLooking for drone-specific software engineering rolesSearching for UAV or unmanned aerial vehicle software development jobs

Both roles involve developing software for unmanned aerial systems, but the Contract Drone Software Engineer typically focuses on commercial and recreational drones, while the Contract UAV Software Developer often works on military or research UAV projects. The skills and certifications overlap significantly, but the industry context and application focus differ slightly.

What cities are hiring for Contract Drone Software Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Contract Drone Software Engineer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Drone Software Engineer jobs?

The most popular types of Drone Software Engineer jobs are:

What states have the most Contract Drone Software Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Contract Drone Software Engineer jobs include:

Contract Drone Software Engineer jobs near you

Software Engineer, Rust Software Washington, DC

Washington, DC • On-site

helsing.ai
See more jobs at helsing.aiexternal

$100 - $130/hr

Other

Medical, PTO

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Helsing develops artificial intelligence‑enabled capabilities to protect and defend democracies. We build Altra, an AI‑powered drone software platform, and HX‑2, our autonomous drone. We are growing our US operations, cultivating an ambitious and committed team of mission‑driven professionals to apply their skills to solve challenging problems.

The role

You will work on Altra, Helsing’s drone software platform, primarily written in Rust. You will design and build systems‑level software that powers autonomous capabilities in challenging operational environments. You do not need to be a drone expert — but you should be a strong systems programmer who thrives in low‑latency, high‑reliability environments and is excited to apply those skills to a mission‑critical product.

The day-to-day
  • Designing, building, and maintaining Rust services across the Altra platform
  • Collaborating with ML engineers to integrate AI/ML pipelines into the broader system
  • Working across the stack, from networking and protocol implementation to application‑level services
  • Contributing to increasingly advanced autonomy features
  • Developing and testing software using simulation environments
  • Writing software that must perform reliably on resource‑constrained platforms under real‑world constraints
You should apply if you
  • Have 5+ years of experience in systems‑level software engineering
  • Have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field
  • Are proficient in Rust, or have strong experience in C++ or another systems‑level compiled language with a willingness to work in Rust daily
  • Have experience building distributed systems, particularly in unreliable or constrained network environments
  • Have worked with real‑time or low‑latency systems where performance and reliability are critical
  • Have experience with at least one or two areas relevant to our stack: video streaming, pub/sub messaging, sensor data processing, embedded systems, protocol design, or robotics
  • Have designed or built systems that interface with AI/ML pipelines — streaming data to models, handling inference outputs, managing pipeline orchestration
  • Are familiar with Python, particularly for interfacing with ML/AI components
  • Are a U.S. citizen eligible to obtain a security clearance
Nice to have
  • Direct experience with Rust in production systems
  • Background in robotics, autonomous vehicles, or drone systems
  • Experience with sensor fusion or multi‑sensor data processing
  • Familiarity with swarming, multi‑agent systems, or decentralized coordination algorithms
  • Experience with constrained or embedded platforms
  • Familiarity with Nix or NixOS for reproducible builds and development environments
  • Experience with SITL/HITL (Software/Hardware-In-The-Loop) simulation and testing frameworks for autonomous systems
  • Experience with RF communications, telemetry, or datalink systems
  • Background in defense or national security
What we offer

A focus on outcomes, not time‑tracking.

A generous compensation and benefits package (in addition to base salary) that includes, but may not be limited to, insurance coverage (medical and travel), flexible paid time off, paid holidays, and remote and/or hybrid work available depending on position. All compensation and benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of the underlying plans or programs, as applicable and as may be amended, terminated or superseded from time to time.

Helsing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetics, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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