1

Contract Uas Pilot Jobs (NOW HIRING)

UAS Program Lead

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$134K - $241K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Serving as the overall Program Manager for UAS contract support, with full responsibility for ... FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification. * Proven experience leading U.S. Government operational ...

UAS Program Lead

Summit Point, WV · On-site

$134K - $241K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Serving as the overall Program Manager for UAS contract support, with full responsibility for ... FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification. * Proven experience leading U.S. Government operational ...

UAS Operator Multi Levels

Bingen, WA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

... on contract award. If you are interested in being considered for this role and meet the ... FAA certifications (Pilot or A&P), deployed time or production experience are preferred but not ...

... on contract award. If you are interested in being considered for this role and meet the ... FAA certifications (Pilot or A&P), deployed time or production experience are preferred but not ...

UAS Program Lead with Security Clearance

Summit Point, WV · On-site

$134K - $241K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Serving as the overall Program Manager for UAS contract support, with full responsibility for ... FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification. * Proven experience leading U.S. Government operational ...

Acts as Pilot in Command (PIC) of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). * Provide Mission Coordinator ... Must possess an active DoD Secret Security Clearance, or higher (as directed by the contract)

Acts as Pilot in Command (PIC) of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). * Provide Mission Coordinator ... Must possess an active DoD Secret Security Clearance, or higher (as directed by the contract)

Showing results 41-60

Contract Uas Pilot information

See salary details

$54K

$113.1K

$199.5K

How much do contract uas pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract uas 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 is the difference between Contract Uas Pilot vs Uas Operator?

AspectContract Uas PilotUas Operator
CertificationsRemote Pilot Certificate, FAA Part 107Remote Pilot Certificate, FAA Part 107
Work EnvironmentFreelance, project-based, on-demandEmployed by a company or organization, ongoing
Employer UsageClients or contractors hiring pilots for specific missionsOrganizations managing drone operations

Contract Uas Pilots typically work independently on a project basis, holding necessary certifications like the FAA Part 107. Uas Operators often work for companies managing drone fleets or operations. While both roles require similar credentials, Contract Uas Pilots focus on individual assignments, whereas Uas Operators oversee ongoing drone activities within organizations.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a contract UAS pilot?

To thrive as a Contract UAS Pilot, you need a strong understanding of aviation principles, proficiency in piloting unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and typically a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA. Familiarity with mission planning software, GPS navigation tools, and various UAS platforms is essential for operational efficiency. Attention to detail, strong situational awareness, and effective communication skills help pilots manage risk and coordinate with teams or clients. These skills are critical for ensuring safe, compliant, and successful UAS operations in a variety of environments.

What are common challenges faced by contract UAS pilots, and how can they be addressed on the job?

Contract UAS Pilots often encounter challenges such as rapidly changing client requirements, operating in diverse environments, and ensuring compliance with evolving aviation regulations. Flexibility and strong communication skills are crucial for adapting to new mission parameters and collaborating with different teams. Staying up-to-date with FAA rules, maintaining detailed flight logs, and proactively addressing technical issues can help pilots deliver reliable results and maintain safety standards.

What is a contract UAS pilot?

Contract UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) Pilots are professionals who operate drones or unmanned aircraft under a contract agreement, rather than as full-time employees. They are often hired for specific projects or periods to conduct aerial surveys, inspections, mapping, or data collection for clients in industries like agriculture, construction, real estate, or public safety. Contract UAS Pilots must typically hold the necessary certifications, such as the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate in the United States, and adhere to all aviation regulations. Their work can vary widely depending on the client's needs and the type of drone operations required.
More about Contract Uas Pilot jobs

What cities are hiring for Contract Uas Pilot jobs?

Cities with the most Contract Uas Pilot job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Uas Pilot jobs?

The most popular types of Uas Pilot jobs are:

What states have the most Contract Uas Pilot jobs?

States with the most job openings for Contract Uas Pilot jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Contract Uas Pilot jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Contract Uas Pilot jobs are:

Infographic showing various Contract Uas Pilot job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $113,105 per year, or $54.4 per hour.

UAS Program Lead

Parsons

Alexandria, VA • On-site

$134K - $241K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 25 days ago


Parsons rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 46 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

263rd of 449 rated engineering


Job description

In a world of possibilities, pursue one with endless opportunities. Imagine Next!At Parsons, you can imagine a career where you thrive, work with exceptional people, and be yourself. Guided by our leadership vision of valuing people, embracing agility, and fostering growth, we cultivate an innovative culture that empowers you to achieve your full potential. Unleash your talent and redefine what's possible.

Job Description:

Parsons is looking for an amazingly talented Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program Lead to join our team!

In this role, you will serve as the senior program manager and primary interface to the U.S. Government, responsible for leading contractor support to worldwide UAS operations. You will oversee program performance, staffing, compliance, and delivery while coordinating across government stakeholders, operations teams, and technical support organizations to ensure safe, reliable, and mission-ready UAS capabilities are fielded and sustained.

What You'll Be Doing:

  • Serving as the overall Program Manager for UAS contract support, with full responsibility for performance, staffing, deliverables, and compliance.

  • Acting as the primary liaison between Parsons and U.S. Government stakeholders, including Diplomatic Security leadership and program sponsors.

  • Leading program planning, execution, and tracking for milestones, budgets, staffing, and audits.

  • Managing and supervising the contractor team supporting UAS operations, including operations, logistics, training, and support personnel.

  • Establishing and maintaining program governance, performance metrics, and reporting rhythms.

  • Overseeing UAS operational support activities, including readiness, sustainment, training, and field support.

  • Establishing and enforcing incident reporting, investigation, and corrective action processes for UAS operations.

  • Ensuring compliance with contract requirements, safety standards, U.S. Government policy, and host-nation regulations.

  • Supporting program reviews, executive briefings, and strategic planning with government leadership.

  • Coordinating deployments, operational priorities, and support activities across stakeholders and field teams.

What Required Skills You'll Bring:

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or related technical field with 15+ years of experience.

  • FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification.

  • Proven experience leading U.S. Government operational programs as a program or project manager.

  • Demonstrated ability to serve as the senior interface to government stakeholders and decision-makers.

  • Experience managing contract performance, staffing, schedules, and budgets.

  • Strong understanding of UAS operations, aviation systems, or complex operational technology programs.

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience delivering executive-level briefings and reports.

  • Ability to operate effectively in high-tempo, operationally sensitive, and internationally deployed environments.

  • Secret clearance required

What Desired Skills You'll Bring:

  • Experience supporting Diplomatic Security, DoD, or other U.S. Government overseas operational programs.

  • Experience managing UAS, aviation, robotics, or ISR-related programs.

  • Familiarity with FAA airspace coordination, host-nation flight approvals, and operational aviation governance.

  • Experience supporting audits, inspections, and formal program reviews.

  • PMP, Agile, or other formal program management certifications.

  • Experience leading programs that include operations, logistics, training, and sustainment functions.

  • Strong technical background in UAS systems, aviation systems, or networked mission systems.

Security Clearance Requirement:

An active Secret security clearance is required for this position.This position is part of our Federal Solutions team.The Federal Solutions segment delivers resources to our US government customers that ensure the success of missions around the globe. Our intelligent employees drive the state of the art as they provide services and solutions in the areas of defense, security, intelligence, infrastructure, and environmental. We promote a culture of excellence and close-knit teams that take pride in delivering, protecting, and sustaining our nation's most critical assets, from Earth to cyberspace. Throughout the company, our people are anticipating what's next to deliver the solutions our customers need now.Salary Range: $134,100.00 - $241,400.00We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best-in-class benefits such as medical, dental, vision, paid time off, 401(k), life insurance, flexible work schedules, and holidays to fit your busy lifestyle!Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status.We truly invest and care about our employee's wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest-APPLY TODAY!

Parsons is aware of fraudulent recruitment practices. To learn more about recruitment fraud and how to report it, please refer tohttps://www.parsons.com/fraudulent-recruitment/.


What Parsons employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom