1

Contract Drone Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Software Engineer

Denver, CO ยท On-site

$115K - $155K/yr

Company Overview Performance Drone Works (PDW) is building the next generation of tactical robotic ... What You'll Do Our Software Engineer will: * Design, implement, and test software features across ...

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 ...

Showing results 41-60

Contract Drone Software Engineer information

See salary details

$63.5K

$147.5K

$205.5K

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

As of Aug 9, 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 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 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:

Front End Software Engineer

Cascadia Global Security

Tempe, AZ โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 19 hours ago


Job description

We are hiring a Front End Software Engineer!
Location: Tempe AZ

The drone industry is not coming it is here, and it is moving faster than any platform is prepared for. At Deus X Defense, we are building the command and control infrastructure that ties autonomous security systems together in real time: drones, ground robotics, live sensor feeds, and the humans who act on all of it. The software that connects those systems has to be fast, intuitive, and built to perform when the stakes are real.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Deus X Defense is an emerging leader in autonomous security, deploying drone-based solutions to supplement
traditional manned guarding. The company is actively expanding into ground robotics and maritime operations, with a proprietary Command & Control (C2) platform in development that will unify fixed, pivoting, drone, ground robot, and maritime camera feeds into a single integrated operational system. The long-term roadmap includes AI-driven
autonomy across all platforms with human-in-the-loop oversight for critical alerts and events.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Front End Software Engineer at Deus X Defense builds and owns user-facing features that power the product
experience. Working closely with product and design, this role translates requirements into responsive, high-quality
interfaces while integrating with backend systems and APIs. At this level, they operate with solid ownership - writing clean, maintainable code, improving performance, and contributing to overall front-end architecture and best
practices. The ideal candidate is technically sharp, detail-oriented, and energized by building interfaces that operate
in real-time, high-stakes environments.
KEY DELIVERABLES
01 Build the core UX experience for DXD, including the primary map and C2 interface
02 Establish all standard interaction models, structure, and approach for long-term buildout
03 Deliver reliable, end-to-end live streaming from all platforms
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
MVP is operating with our first customer (internal operators) flying every day with core capabilities
and positive feedback.
RESPONSIBILITIES
UI Development & Product Experience
โ€ข Build the core UX for DXD's Command & Control (C2) platform, including the primary map interface
โ€ข Translate product and design requirements into responsive, high-quality user-facing features
โ€ข Establish standard interaction models and front-end structure for long-term scalability
โ€ข Deliver reliable, end-to-end live streaming from all drone and sensor platforms
Architecture & Code Quality
โ€ข Write clean, maintainable, well-documented code that scales with the product
โ€ข Contribute to front-end architecture decisions and establish best practices across the codebase
โ€ข Optimize for performance, reliability, and responsiveness across user types - from entry-level to pro operators
โ€ข Participate in code reviews and help drive consistent, high-quality engineering standards
Cross-Functional Collaboration
โ€ข Work closely with Product, Design, and Backend Engineering to ensure seamless feature delivery
โ€ข Integrate with backend systems and APIs to power real-time data flows in the UI
โ€ข Partner with Drone Operations to understand operator workflows and translate them into intuitive interfaces
โ€ข Contribute ideas, flag risks, and help the team move fast without breaking things
REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
We're looking for someone with real experience building complex, real-time interfaces:
โ€ข Solid front-end engineering experience with complex, real-time user interfaces
โ€ข Background in industries with demanding UI requirements, gaming, automotive, defense, or operations platforms
โ€ข Proven ability to present complex information in a clear, intuitive, and enjoyable way for a range of user types
โ€ข Strong proficiency in modern front-end frameworks (React, Vue, or equivalent)
โ€ข Experience integrating with backend APIs and streaming data sources
PREFERRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
We're looking for someone who understands the environment we operate in, not just the technology. Prior
exposure to any of the following is a strong plus:
โ€ข Experience with drone technology, mapping interfaces, or geospatial data visualization
โ€ข Background in real-time operations, command & control, or live video streaming platforms
โ€ข Familiarity with law enforcement, defense, or public safety operating environments
โ€ข Ability to design for both entry-level and expert users within the same interface
LEVEL OF OWNERSHIP & DECISION MAKING
A mid-career Front End Software Engineer at DXD owns the delivery of key user-facing features, from
implementation through launch and iteration. They work across product, design, and backend teams to ensure a
seamless, performant experience, while making thoughtful decisions around structure, scalability, and maintainability of the front end. At this level, they operate with clear ownership of their work, contribute to technical standards, and help drive consistent, high-quality execution across the product.