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Contract Drone Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Amazon

System Dev Engineer, Prime Air

Seattle, WA · On-site

And how do you do it in a way that can scale Our teams of hundreds of scientists, engineers ... and test drone software - Developing and maintaining robust automated testing and CI/CD ...

Zeromark

General Software Engineer

Manhattan, 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 ...

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 ...

Raptor Maps

Drone Operator

$25 - $35/hr

Raptor Maps is a fast-growing, venture-backed, MIT-born climate tech company building software to ... About the role Raptor Maps is hiring contract Drone Operators who will sit at the core of our ...

Amazon

System Dev Engineer, Prime Air

Seattle, WA · On-site

... and test drone software - Developing and maintaining robust automated testing and CI/CD ... programming with at least one modern language such as Python, Ruby, Golang, Java, C++, C#, Rust ...

Wild West Systems Inc.

Software Engineer

Great Neck, NY · On-site

Software Engineer - Autonomous Weapons & Drone Systems Location: Onsite - Great Neck, NY Type: Full-Time Eligibility: U.S. Citizenship or ITAR-Eligible Status Required Build the intelligence behind ...

Wild West Systems Inc.

Software Enginner

Great Neck, NY · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Software Engineer - Autonomous Weapons & Drone Systems Location: Onsite - Great Neck, NY Type: Full-Time Eligibility: U.S. Citizenship or ITAR-Eligible Status Required Build the intelligence behind ...

Staffingine LLC

Drone Data Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$109.30K - $131.30K/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 ...

Tycho AI, Inc

Senior Software Engineer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$133.90K - $176.50K/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 ...

Amazon

Sr. Systems Engineer, Prime Air

Seattle, WA

$118.90K - $162.70K/yr

Amazon Prime Air (PA) is seeking a Sr Systems Engineer to oversee the development hardware and software integration within our ultra-fast drone delivery operations. This role will be responsible for ...

Amazon

Sr. Systems Engineer, Prime Air

Seattle, WA

$118.90K - $162.70K/yr

Amazon Prime Air (PA) is seeking a Sr Systems Engineer to oversee the development hardware and software integration within our ultra-fast drone delivery operations. This role will be responsible for ...

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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 Jun 1, 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 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 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 Contract Drone Software Engineers?

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 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, Drone Systems

Calbuco Consulting

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

$140K - $230K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Our partner is hiring a Software Engineer to help build the core systems powering our drone platform.

You'll work on software that directly interacts with real-world hardware.

What you'll do
  • Build and maintain core software systems for drone operations
  • Work on backend, infrastructure, or system-level software
  • Collaborate with hardware and embedded teams
  • Support testing, deployment, and real-world performance
  • Iterate quickly based on system feedback
What we're looking for
  • 36 years of software engineering experience
  • Strong backend or systems programming skills
  • Experience working with hardware or real-time systems is a plus
  • Comfortable in fast-moving, early-stage environments
Job Title and Compensation
  • The compensation range for this position is between $140,000 and $230,000, based on full-time employment.
  • Actual salaries are based on several factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, experience, certifications, and work location.
  • Open positions are based on job competencies that are specific to each role. If you are offered a position, the job title may be different from what is advertised to align with the role's competencies and your specific background, experience, and interview results.