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Drone Engineer Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Drone System Repair & Refurbishment Technician

NC · On-site

$15.50 - $21.25/hr

The core responsibility is doing hands-on technician work: drone refurbishment, RMA processing, and ... Continuous Improvement Work closely with Zurich engineering to flag failure trends and drive ...

Our teams of hundreds of scientists, engineers, aerospace professionals, and futurists have been ... The Flight Monitor will be responsible for real-time monitoring of drone flights, ensuring ...

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Drone Engineer information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

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$54

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How much do drone engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for drone engineer in Raleigh, NC is $54.43, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39.04 and $72.45 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 popular job titles related to Drone Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC?

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

What job categories do people searching Drone Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC look for?

The top searched job categories for Drone Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Drone Engineer jobs?

Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Drone Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Drone Engineer job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,205 per year, or $54.4 per hour.

Drone System Repair & Refurbishment Technician

Verity

NC • On-site

$15.50 - $21.25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Verity is opening its first U.S. operations facility in North Carolina, and this role will be one of the first on the ground to help build and run it. The role will support North American clients, turning around replacement drones and components, working closely with Verity's headquarters in Zurich, while also opening the door to taking on responsibility for how the site runs day to day. The core responsibility is doing hands-on technician work: drone refurbishment, RMA processing, and quality testing while working alongside Client Support and technical functions, also working from the facility. If you want to be part of a growing team that's building for scale, this is the role for you!
What You'll Do:
  • Repair Operations Own the full drone repair workflow, from mechanical and electrical repair through functional testing and documentation. You're the on-site technical lead.
  • RMA & Logistics Manage inbound and outbound customer RMAs, triage incoming units, and own the repair queue and turnaround commitments.
  • Inventory Management Maintain parts and refurbished goods inventory in the ERP and coordinate with the Zurich ops team to keep the US site stocked.
  • Quality Control Run bench and indoor flight testing on refurbished systems. You're the final sign-off before anything ships.
  • Continuous Improvement Work closely with Zurich engineering to flag failure trends and drive process improvements.

What You Bring:
  • High school diploma or GED, plus completion of an accredited technical electronics training program or apprenticeship; associate's degree a plus
  • 4+ years of hands-on experience troubleshooting complex systems with limited direct oversight ( in robotics, automation, or advanced manufacturing)
  • 2+ years working with soldering equipment, including fine-pitch and rework
  • Working knowledge of ESD-safe handling practices; relevant certifications a plus
  • Proficient with Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence) for ticket management, work documentation, and status reporting to distributed teams
  • Comfortable acting as the primary on-site technical contact for an operation prioritizing your own workload, making day-to-day calls, and escalating clearly to a remote team

Additional requirements
  • Valid US passport for travel to Switzerland
  • Ability to travel for training for up to 4 weeks at a time (typically 2 weeks bi-annually)

Why Verity?
  • A flexible, flat team where you'll get real ownership and room to grow alongside smart, high-achieving (and fun) people
  • Specialized training and onboarding at our Swiss HQ in Zurich
  • A real shot at helping build our new location from the ground up
  • 401k match
  • Medical/dental/vision

Learn more at www.verity.net