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Drone Developer Jobs in Utah (NOW HIRING)

Mariana Minerals

Drone Operator

Moab, UT · On-site

Coordinate drone activities with mine supervisors, engineering, dispatch, security, and safety personnel. * Conduct mission risk assessments and maintain awareness of mining hazards, traffic ...

Teledyne

Drone & Robotics Test Engineer

Orem, UT · On-site

Teledyne FLIR is looking for an engineering professional to conduct drone developmental testing. This person must be a detail oriented, self-directed individual, and be able to operate with a high ...

Teal Drones

Software Engineer, QGC

Salt Lake City, UT · On-site

$85 - $120/hr

Software Engineer, QGC# Software Engineer, QGCSLC, UT 84115## Description## **Position Summary ... MAVLink & Drone Communication*** Implement and debug MAVLink message handling, routing, and ...

Red Cat Holdings, Inc.

Electrical Engineering Manager

UT · On-site

$112K - $144K/yr

Experience in the drone, aerospace, or a closely related industry is highly desirable. * Technical ... Understanding of engineering verification methodologies and product qualification processes.

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$15

$48

$74

How much do drone developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for drone developer in Utah is $48.10, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36.78 and $58.85 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a drone developer?

A Drone Developer is a software and hardware engineer who designs, builds, and programs unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). They work with drone flight control systems, navigation algorithms, communication protocols, and sensor integration. Their role often involves writing software for autonomous flight, obstacle detection, and mission planning. Drone Developers collaborate with robotics engineers, aerospace specialists, and AI experts to improve drone capabilities for industries like agriculture, defense, logistics, and surveying.

What are some typical challenges a drone developer faces on a daily basis?

Drone Developers often encounter challenges such as troubleshooting issues with hardware-software integration, ensuring robust communication between onboard systems, and adapting to rapidly evolving regulations in the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) industry. Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams—including hardware engineers, software developers, and test pilots—is a key part of the job, requiring both technical flexibility and strong communication. Additionally, working in a fast-paced environment where project requirements can shift quickly helps developers stay adaptable while delivering innovative solutions. Overcoming these challenges provides valuable experience and can lead to exciting career growth within the drone technology sector.

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

A Drone Developer needs a solid background in computer science or engineering, with strong programming skills (often in C++, Python, or ROS) and expertise in robotics and embedded systems. Familiarity with hardware prototyping tools, drone flight controllers, simulation platforms, and relevant certifications like the FAA Part 107 are typically valuable. Creative problem-solving, strong teamwork, and effective communication distinguish top performers in this field. These capabilities are critical because drone technology requires integrating complex software and hardware within regulatory and safety constraints.

How do you become a drone developer?

To become a drone developer, you typically need a background in computer science, robotics, or electrical engineering, along with programming skills in languages such as C++, Python, or Java. Experience with drone hardware, embedded systems, and software development tools like ROS or SDKs is also important, and obtaining relevant certifications can enhance job prospects.

Is drone developer a good career?

A drone developer designs and builds software and hardware for unmanned aerial vehicles, a growing field with applications in surveillance, delivery, and photography. The role often requires skills in programming, electronics, and robotics, and can offer opportunities in technology, manufacturing, and research sectors. Job prospects are strong as drone technology continues to expand across various industries.

What are the most commonly searched types of Drone Developer jobs in Utah?

The most popular types of Drone Developer jobs in Utah are:

What are popular job titles related to Drone Developer jobs in Utah?

For Drone Developer jobs in Utah, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Drone Developer jobs in Utah look for?

The top searched job categories for Drone Developer jobs in Utah are:

Drone Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drone Developer job openings in Utah as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 12% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,054 per year, or $48.1 per hour.

Drone Operator

Mariana Minerals

Moab, UT • On-site

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

About Mariana Minerals
Mariana Minerals is a software-first, vertically integrated minerals company on a mission to supply the critical minerals powering modern energy, AI, and defense technologies. We're reimagining the minerals supply chain by combining deep industry expertise with advanced software, automation, and data-driven decision-making.
Position Summary
The Drone Operator is responsible for the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in support of mining operations. This role conducts and supervises continuous drone flight activities for surveying, inspection, monitoring, mapping, stockpile measurements, environmental compliance, security surveillance, and operational support. The Drone Operator ensures all drone missions are executed in accordance with applicable aviation regulations, company policies, and mine safety standards.
This position requires strong technical knowledge of drone systems, mining operations, aviation regulations, and emergency response procedures. Operators must maintain required certifications and be capable of working independently in a safety-sensitive environment.
Housing can be provided onsite.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Drone Operations
  • Conduct pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight inspections of drone systems and equipment.
  • Operate and monitor drones in a 24/7 mining environment during day and night shifts.
  • Execute automated and manual flight missions for mapping, surveying, inspections, and site monitoring.
  • Monitor telemetry, battery status, weather conditions, and airspace restrictions to ensure safe operations.
  • Maintain compliance with FAA, MSHA, and company safety and operational requirements.
  • Collect aerial imagery, video, LiDAR, photogrammetry, and other operational data.
  • Verify data quality, process mission outputs, and distribute information to stakeholders.
  • Prepare reports and communicate operational findings to management and project teams.
  • Coordinate drone activities with mine supervisors, engineering, dispatch, security, and safety personnel.
  • Conduct mission risk assessments and maintain awareness of mining hazards, traffic, blasting schedules, and restricted areas.
  • Respond to equipment malfunctions, flight deviations, and emergency situations.
  • Perform routine maintenance and troubleshooting on drones, sensors, batteries, and related equipment.
  • Coordinate repairs with vendors and technical support teams and maintain parts and supply inventories.
  • Maintain accurate flight logs, operational records, maintenance documentation, and compliance reports.

Required Qualifications
  • FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (required).
  • Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain site-specific mining and safety certifications.
  • High school diploma or GED required.
  • Associate degree or technical training in aviation, geospatial technology, engineering, surveying, or a related field preferred.
  • Minimum 2 years of professional drone operating experience preferred.
  • Experience operating drones in industrial, construction, mining, energy, or similar environments preferred.
  • Understanding of mining operations, mine safety procedures, and site hazards.
  • Experience with drone mission planning software and flight management systems.
  • Knowledge of aerial surveying, photogrammetry, GIS, LiDAR, or mapping technologies preferred.
  • Ability to read maps, site plans, and technical documents.
  • Familiarity with weather impacts on drone operations.

Required Skills & Competencies
  • Strong commitment to safety.
  • Excellent situational awareness and decision-making skills.
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
  • Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities.
  • Attention to detail and accurate recordkeeping.
  • Ability to remain alert and focused during extended monitoring periods.

Physical Requirements
  • Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
  • Ability to walk on uneven terrain and active mining sites.
  • Ability to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Ability to stand, walk, climb, bend, and kneel for extended periods.
  • Ability to maintain visual observation of aircraft during flight operations when required.

Work Environment
  • Active surface or underground mining operations.
  • Exposure to dust, noise, vibration, heavy equipment traffic, and changing weather conditions.
  • Rotating 24/7 shift coverage including nights, weekends, and holidays.
  • Safety-sensitive position subject to drug and alcohol testing.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with autonomous drone operations.
  • MSHA training or mining industry experience.
  • GIS, surveying, photogrammetry, or LiDAR experience.
  • Experience managing multiple simultaneous drone missions.
  • Advanced drone certifications or manufacturer-specific training.
Our culture is built on four principles:
Everyone Gets Home Safe. We never put speed or cost ahead of people.
Extreme Ownership. We take full responsibility for outcomes, relentlessly driving toward solutions.
Engineer Out Requirements, then Automate. We simplify, optimize, and then automate for scale.
Share Your Legos. We collaborate openly, share knowledge, and empower each other to build bigger, better solutions.
Join us as we build the future of responsible mineral sourcing and supply!

Apply