ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Drone Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Live Events

Drone Pilot

New Castle, PA

About Pyrotecnico For more than a century, Pyrotecnico has been engineering moments of celebration ... We are the people and the pride behind world-class fireworks displays, breathtaking drone light ...

Kiewit

Drone Pilot

Abilene, TX · On-site

Bachelor's degree in Geography, Geomatics, Engineering, or related field preferred * Experience with drone tools * Working knowledge of survey equipment and techniques (GPS, total stations) * Strong ...

Bear Country Inc

Drone Show Designer

Caledonia, WI

Summary: Northern Lights Drone Shows is seeking a Drone Show Designer that's excited to bring ... Associate degree or equivalent coursework in computer science, engineering, game design/animation ...

Mach Industries

Field Drone Technician

Huntington Beach, CA · On-site

$20.75 - $28.50/hr

Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and R&D teams to support product development. * Ensure ... Stay current with evolving drone technologies, FAA rule changes, and industry trends. Required ...

Quanta Services

Drone Pilot

Midland, TX

PWR) company, is based in Channelview, TX and provides engineering, design, procurement ... The Drone Pilot will travel regularly to active project sites in the West Texas area, coordinate ...

Scout AI

Drone Operator

Paso Robles, CA · On-site

$18.25 - $20.25/hr

The Role We're hiring a Drone Operator to join our Mission Operations team at our test site in Paso ... Provide clear, structured feedback to engineers on system performance, failure modes, and edge ...

Northstar Energy Services

Drone Pilot

Midland, TX · On-site

PWR) company, is based in Channelview, TX and provides engineering, design, procurement ... The Drone Pilot will travel regularly to active project sites in the West Texas area, coordinate ...

Northstar Energy Services

Drone Pilot

Midland, TX

PWR) company, is based in Channelview, TX and provides engineering, design, procurement ... The Drone Pilot will travel regularly to active project sites in the West Texas area, coordinate ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsDrone Developer Jobs

Drone Developer information

See salary details

$17

$52

$81

How much do drone developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for drone developer in the United States is $52.84, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40.38 and $64.66 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Drone Developer position, 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 much do NFL drone pilots make?

NFL drone pilots typically earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, certification, and the complexity of the drone operations. They often require specialized skills in drone technology, FAA certifications, and the ability to operate in live event environments.

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 is the highest paying drone job?

The highest paying drone jobs typically include roles such as drone pilot for aerial surveying, mapping, or cinematography, especially in industries like oil and gas, construction, or film production. These positions often require advanced certifications, specialized skills, and experience, with salaries reaching six figures in some cases.

What is the 400 foot rule for drones?

The 400 foot rule for drones states that recreational and commercial drone pilots must keep their aircraft within 400 feet of the ground or their point of takeoff unless they have specific authorization. Drone developers and operators should incorporate altitude awareness and geofencing features to ensure compliance with this regulation, which is enforced by the FAA in many regions.

What is the 120m rule for drones?

The 120-meter rule for drones states that recreational and commercial drone pilots must keep their aircraft within 120 meters (approximately 400 feet) above ground level unless they have specific authorization. This regulation helps ensure safe operation and prevent interference with manned aircraft, and drone developers often incorporate altitude limit features into their software to comply with this rule.

What is a Drone Developer job?

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.

More about Drone Developer jobs
What cities are hiring for Drone Developer jobs? Cities with the most Drone Developer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Drone Developer jobs? The most popular types of Drone Developer jobs are:
What states have the most Drone Developer jobs? States with the most job openings for Drone Developer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Drone Developer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Drone Developer jobs are:
Drone Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drone Developer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 24% Full Time, and 76% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,905 per year, or $52.8 per hour.

Drone Show Pilot/Driver

Bear Country Inc

Caledonia, WI

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 12 hours ago

Job description

OPEN POSITION: Drone Show Pilot and Driver

Northern Lights Drone Show is looking for a Drone Show Pilot and Driver. We are a rapidly growing business that offers one of the few drone shows on demand in the United States. Come be a part of a trailblazing company that combines creativity and technology to create something extraordinary.

The Drone Show Pilot/Driver will be responsible for packing drones and materials, taking drones to show location, charging batteries, setting up and testing for the show, and flying drone shows ranging from 100 drones to 500+ drones. IT experience and familiarity is recommended.

This is a position that can offer up to full-time hours but could also be part time. Travel to drone shows will be required, and can vary from local same day set-up and return, to overnight travel that could be 7+ days.

Duties:

  • Packing drones and materials, driving a pick-up truck with a trailer to locations, setting up for drone shows which could exceed 500 drones, testing to make sure drones are ready and show is set up for success, flying show, and packing and recharging drones.
  • Will use Verge Aero Design Studio software. Familiarity with this software is not required (but a plus).
  • Able to handle projects with client demands/preferences.
  • Part 107 license to fly drones is a plus but we can help get the 107 license.

Skills:

  • Experience flying drones. License to fly drones recommended.
  • Superior problem-solving capabilities
  • Ability to communicate in a professional manner
  • High focus on quality and customer satisfaction

Qualifications:

  • Associate degree or equivalent coursework in computer science, engineering or information science preferred but not required
  • License to fly drones or ability to get license.
  • Driver?s license is required.
  • Project management with limited supervision
  • Good oral and written communication skills
  • Ability to understand clients? problems and ask appropriate questions for clarification

Apply