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Drone Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ZeroMark

Electrical Design Engineer

New York, NY · On-site

About Us ZeroMark builds AI-driven counter-drone systems that actually work in combat. No ... What You'll Do As an Electrical Design Engineer, you'll be instrumental in designing, developing ...

ZeroMark, Inc.

Mechanical Design Engineer

Sarasota, FL · On-site

$80 - $100/hr

About Us ZeroMark builds AI-driven counter-drone systems that actually work in combat. No ... The Role The Mechanical Design Engineer will be responsible for the full lifecycle of mechanical ...

ZeroMark

Mechanical Design Engineer

New York, NY · On-site

$83K - $112K/yr

About Us ZeroMark builds AI-driven counter-drone systems that actually work in combat. No ... What You'll Do The Mechanical Design Engineer will be responsible for the full lifecycle of ...

AIRO Group

$150 - $200/hr

Systems Integration & Test Engineer (End to End Drone) Build the Future With Us At AIRO, we bring ... Design, build, and maintain integration test benches, custom wiring harnesses, and physical ...

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Zeromark

Electrical Design Engineer

Sarasota, FL · On-site

$80 - $100/hr

About Us Zeromark builds AI-driven counter-drone systems that actually work in combat. No ... As an Electrical Design Engineer, you'll be instrumental in designing, developing, and testing the ...

Booster

Product Design Engineer Intern

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$60 - $80/hr

Skydio is the leading US drone company and the world leader in autonomous flight, the key ... Find solutions with engineering design or manufacturing process changes * Validate your solutions ...

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Drone Design Engineer information

See salary details

$40.5K

$88.2K

$158.5K

How much do drone design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for drone design engineer in the United States is $88,150.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,000.00 and $98,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Drone Design Engineer vs Drone Software Engineer?

AspectDrone Design EngineerDrone Software Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning and developing drone hardware, aerodynamics, and mechanical systemsDeveloping software, algorithms, and control systems for drones
Required SkillsMechanical engineering, CAD, electronics, prototypingProgramming, embedded systems, robotics software
Work EnvironmentHardware labs, manufacturing facilitiesSoftware development environments, simulation tools
Common EmployersAerospace companies, drone manufacturersTech firms, robotics companies, startups

While both roles are integral to drone technology, the Drone Design Engineer focuses on hardware and physical design, whereas the Drone Software Engineer specializes in coding and software systems. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus within the drone industry.

What are popular job titles related to Drone Design Engineer jobs?

For Drone Design Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Drone Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,150 per year, or $42.4 per hour.

Advanced Drone Operator

Austin, TX

Allen Control Systems
Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about Allen Control Systemsexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 8 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Operate and maintain drones for testing, evaluation, and operational missions.

  • Plan and execute complex flight missions using Mission Planner and Beta Flight.

  • Build, configure, and troubleshoot drone hardware and software systems.

Job description

Company Overview:

Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup, founded by two former Navy electrical engineers with a proven track record in robotics and software. We are developing a small, autonomous gun turret that employs advanced computer vision and control systems to precisely target and neutralize small drones and loitering munitions. Our innovative approach requires overcoming significant technical challenges, making this an exciting and dynamic environment for experienced engineers.

With an engineering-first culture, ACS values technical excellence and innovation. Backed by our founders' successful exits from two previous ventures acquired for a combined $180M in 2022, we are committed to ensuring that the groundbreaking technologies we develop will have a real-world impact.

Position Overview:


We are expanding our flight operations capability and opening a new role for a highly skilled drone operator who is experienced in building, configuring, and flying advanced UAV systems. This person will play a key role in executing flight tests, evaluating drone performance, and supporting real-world operational requirements. You will serve as an additional Part 107 certified pilot to meet our growing testing and mission needs.

What You'll Do:

  • Operate and maintain drones for testing, evaluation, and operational missions.
  • Plan and execute complex flight missions using Mission Planner and Beta Flight.
  • Build, configure, and troubleshoot drone hardware and software systems.
  • Collaborate with engineering and data teams to collect and validate aerial data for computer vision model training.
  • Conduct flight tests to evaluate performance and integrate feedback into drone design and operational procedures.
  • Document flight operations, maintain detailed logs, and support mission debriefs.

What You'll Need:

  • Part 107 certified pilot.
  • Hands-on experience in printing, building, and flying drones for offensive operations.
  • Operational understanding of how drones are being used in current conflicts around the world.
  • Proficient in Mission Planner and Beta Flight for mission planning and drone control.
  • Familiarity with data collection and integration into computer vision or analytics workflows.
  • 3+ years of relevant drone operation or robotics experience.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in dynamic, experimental environments.
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate across teams.

What We Offer:

  • Competitive salary
  • ACS Equity Package
  • Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
  • Paid Time Off

Allen Control Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Allen Control Systems prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

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