ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Drone Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

HavocAI

Senior Drone Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

About the Role HavocAI is seeking a Senior Drone Engineer to lead the technical maturation of Locust, our advanced unmanned aircraft system (UAS), as it transitions from a demonstrated prototype to a ...

New

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 ...

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 ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsDrone Engineer JobsDrone Engineer Jobs in California

Drone Engineer information

See California salary details

$12

$55

$79

How much do drone engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for drone engineer in California is $55.26, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39.62 and $73.56 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a drone engineer do?

A Drone Engineer designs, builds, and maintains unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for various applications, including agriculture, defense, logistics, and surveillance. They work on hardware components like propulsion systems, sensors, and flight controllers, as well as software for autonomous navigation and control. Drone Engineers collaborate with other specialists, such as software developers and aerospace engineers, to improve UAV performance and efficiency. Their role also involves testing, troubleshooting, and ensuring compliance with aviation regulations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a drone engineer?

To thrive as a Drone Engineer, you need a solid background in aerospace engineering, electronics, and programming—often supported by a specialized engineering degree. Familiarity with design software (like CAD), embedded systems, flight controller platforms, and relevant certifications such as Part 107 (FAA remote pilot license) are typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, collaboration, and attention to detail help Drone Engineers excel when working on complex projects. These skills and qualities are essential to ensure drone systems are designed, tested, and deployed safely and effectively in real-world applications.

What are the typical career growth opportunities for a drone engineer?

Drone Engineers often start in technical roles focused on design, development, or testing but can progress into senior engineering, project management, or specialized research positions as they gain experience. Many organizations offer opportunities to branch into areas like autonomous systems, software development, or team leadership within the robotics or UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) industry. With ongoing advancements in drone technology, there is also potential to move into roles shaping regulatory, safety, or integration standards. Career growth typically depends on your technical expertise, willingness to stay updated with new technologies, and ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.

How do you become a drone engineer?

To become a drone engineer, typically a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field is required. Gaining experience with drone design, programming, and systems integration, along with proficiency in tools like CAD software and knowledge of flight control systems, is also important. Certifications in UAV operation or engineering can enhance job prospects.

How much does a drone engineer make?

A drone engineer's salary typically ranges from $70,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and specific skills such as UAV design, programming, or systems integration. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced engineers with specialized certifications can earn higher wages.

Is drone engineering a good career?

Drone engineering is a growing field that involves designing, developing, and maintaining unmanned aerial systems. It requires skills in electronics, programming, and aerodynamics, and often benefits from certifications or specialized training. The profession offers opportunities in industries such as defense, agriculture, and logistics, with a demand for technical expertise and problem-solving abilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Drone Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Drone Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Drone Engineer jobs in California?

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

What job categories do people searching Drone Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Drone Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Drone Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Drone Engineer job openings:

Drone Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drone Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,938 per year, or $55.3 per hour.

Senior Drone Engineer

HavocAI

San Diego, CA • On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

About Us:
Havoc is a leader in all-domain collaborative autonomy. Its software-defined hardware approach powers military and commercial-grade autonomous systems across sea, air, and land to sense, decide, and act together in complex and contested environments. Havoc connects assets, enabling them to share information, adapt in real time, and continue operating even when communications are disrupted or denied. Havoc optimizes mission performance and minimizes human risk.
Havoc was founded in 2024 and headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island. Learn more at Havoc: All-Domain Collaborative Autonomy .
About the Role
HavocAI is seeking a Senior Drone Engineer to lead the technical maturation of Locust, our advanced unmanned aircraft system (UAS), as it transitions from a demonstrated prototype to a Department of Defense (DoD) fieldable, Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) platform.
This is a hands-on engineering leadership role where you'll drive airframe design for manufacture, structural analysis, and system-level integration while providing the program leadership necessary to keep the production effort on schedule and within budget.
You will serve as the primary technical authority for Locust's production readiness, working closely with manufacturing partners, government customers, and cross-functional engineering teams. Success in this role means delivering a robust, mission-ready aircraft that can withstand the demands of operational use while being reliably manufactured at production scale.
Key Responsibilities
Airframe & Structures
  • Lead structural design and analysis of Locust airframe components, including static, fatigue, and crashworthiness assessments.
  • Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) reviews, transforming prototype designs into repeatable, production-ready hardware.
  • Own material selection, composite manufacturing processes, and supplier qualification for primary and secondary structures.
  • Develop and execute structural test programs, including coupon, component, and full-vehicle testing, to support airworthiness certification and LRIP milestones.
  • Establish and maintain the airframe configuration baseline, including engineering change orders (ECOs), drawing releases, and configuration management.
System Integration & Production Readiness
  • Partner with propulsion, avionics, and payload engineering teams to integrate subsystems while maintaining structural integrity and weight targets.
  • Lead first article inspections and production acceptance testing with manufacturing partners.
  • Develop build-to-print packages, manufacturing work instructions, and inspection criteria supporting LRIP.
  • Support flight test campaigns by analyzing results, driving corrective actions, and implementing design improvements.
Engineering Program Leadership
  • Maintain engineering schedules and track progress against production milestones, proactively identifying risks and mitigation strategies.
  • Prepare and present technical reviews and program status updates for executive leadership and government customers, including SRR, PDR, CDR, PRR, and other milestone reviews.
  • Lead and mentor a small team of engineers and technicians supporting the Locust production effort.
  • Support proposal development, production planning, and cost estimating for follow-on production efforts.
Required Qualifications
  • 8-12 years of experience in UAS or aerospace structural design, analysis, testing, and product development.
  • Proficiency with modern 3D CAD software such as CATIA, SolidWorks, Siemens NX, or equivalent.
  • Experience performing structural analysis using FEA tools such as Nastran, ANSYS, or equivalent.
  • Demonstrated success transitioning aerospace systems from prototype (TRL 5-6) through production readiness or Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP).
  • Experience preparing or contributing to airworthiness documentation, including structural substantiation reports or DoD Airworthiness Authority submissions.
  • Experience managing technical schedules, tracking engineering deliverables, and communicating program status to internal leadership and government customers.
  • U.S. Person (U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident) with the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Active Secret Security Clearance.
  • Experience supporting a DoD UAS Program of Record or LRIP effort (Group 2-4 UAS preferred).
  • Familiarity with MIL-SPEC requirements, MMPDS (formerly MIL-HDBK-5), and DoD Airworthiness Authority processes.
  • Experience designing small UAS or attritable/expendable aircraft where affordability and manufacturability are primary design drivers.
  • Experience supporting formal government engineering reviews, including SRR, PDR, CDR, PRR, and associated technical data packages.
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

Why HavocAI
At HavocAI, you'll help build autonomous systems that solve real-world challenges in some of the most demanding environments imaginable. You'll work alongside exceptional engineers, move quickly, and see your work transition from prototype to production and ultimately into the hands of operators.
If you're excited about solving difficult engineering problems, owning critical technical decisions, and helping shape the future of autonomous systems, we'd love to hear from you.
Benefits:
  • 100% Employer paid Health, Dental and Vision Insurance for you and your families
  • Life Insurance (Employer Paid)
  • Ability to participate in the companies 401k program (Matching)
  • Unlimited PTO policy with an enforced 2 week minimum
  • Equity Package
  • Work / Home Office Stipend
  • Global Entry
  • 16 Week Paid Parental Leave
  • Monthly Health and Wellness Stipend
Our Values:
  • Innovation: We are driven to break new ground. Every day presents an opportunity to challenge the status quo, think boldly, and deliver advanced solutions that transform the future of defense technology.
  • Integrity: We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards, ensuring transparency, accountability, and trust in all our actions and partnerships.
  • Mission-Driven: We are focused on achieving impactful outcomes that align with our core mission-protecting lives through innovation.
  • Forward-Leaning: We continuously seek out new opportunities and remain at the forefront of technological advancements. We embrace change and anticipate the challenges of tomorrow with confidence and creativity.
  • Ownership of All Tasks: At HavocAI, no problem is too complex or too trivial. We believe that greatness comes from tackling the hardest challenges, but also in handling the smallest, sometimes thankless, tasks with the same level of commitment and care.
  • Servant Leadership: We lead by serving others, whether it's supporting our employees, partners, or the broader community. Empowering those around us is key to achieving long-term success and making a lasting impact.

HavocAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

Apply