ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Drone Operations Manager Jobs in Rhode Island (NOW HIRING)

All JobsDrone Operations JobsDrone Operations Manager JobsDrone Operations Manager Jobs in Rhode Island

Drone Operations Manager information

What does a drone operations manager do?

A Drone Operations Manager oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of drone missions for various applications such as surveying, inspections, or deliveries. They manage teams of drone pilots, ensure compliance with aviation regulations, maintain equipment, and develop operational protocols. The role also involves liaising with clients, analyzing data collected by drones, and ensuring all safety and legal standards are met. This position requires strong leadership, technical knowledge of unmanned aerial systems, and up-to-date understanding of industry regulations.

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

To thrive as a Drone Operations Manager, you need expertise in UAV flight operations, regulatory compliance, and logistics management, typically supported by a relevant degree or equivalent field experience. Familiarity with drone piloting software, airspace management tools, and certifications such as Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate are commonly required. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills are crucial for leading teams and coordinating complex projects. These competencies ensure safe, efficient, and compliant drone operations in dynamic environments.

What are some common challenges faced by a drone operations manager, and how can they be effectively managed?

Drone Operations Managers often encounter challenges such as ensuring compliance with evolving aviation regulations, managing fleet maintenance, and coordinating schedules across multiple projects. Staying updated on local and federal laws is crucial, as is developing standardized operating procedures to maintain safety and efficiency. Effective communication with pilots, technicians, and clients helps address logistical issues promptly and ensures projects run smoothly. Leveraging management software and ongoing training can also mitigate operational risks and improve team performance.

What is the difference between Drone Operations Manager vs Drone Pilot?

AspectDrone Operations ManagerDrone Pilot
CertificationsFAA Part 107 certification, management trainingFAA Part 107 certification, flight experience
Work EnvironmentOversees teams, plans operations, manages logisticsOperates drones in the field for data collection or filming
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in construction, agriculture, surveying, and inspectionUsed in media, filmmaking, real estate, and inspections

The Drone Operations Manager focuses on overseeing drone operations, managing teams, and planning projects, while the Drone Pilot primarily operates drones for specific tasks. Both roles require FAA Part 107 certification, but their responsibilities and work environments differ significantly.

What are popular job titles related to Drone Operations Manager jobs in Rhode Island?

For Drone Operations Manager jobs in Rhode Island, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Drone Operations Manager jobs in Rhode Island look for?

The top searched job categories for Drone Operations Manager jobs in Rhode Island are:

Drone Operations Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drone Operations Manager job openings in Rhode Island as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution.

Advanced DevSecOps Engineer

General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc

Middletown, RI • On-site

$118K - $138K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Re-posted 18 days ago

General Dynamics Mission Systems rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 30 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

129th of 245 rated software companies

Job description

Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, or related Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics field, plus a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree, plus 3 years relevant experience.
CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS:: Department of Defense active Secret security clearance is required at time of hire. Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.
Responsibilities for this Position
We are looking for a DevSecOps Engineer to join on Middletown, RI team.
What You'll Experience:
  • Build and maintain efficient CI/CD pipelines with tools like Bamboo and Drone.
  • Work with container technologies such as Docker and Podman to create seamless deployment strategies.
  • Collaborate with development teams to enhance build, test, and deployment processes.
  • Monitor and ensure the health, performance, and security of systems and pipelines.
  • Be part of a forward-thinking team, solving complex challenges with automation and innovation.

What You Bring to the Table:
  • 5-10 years of experience in DevOps, SRE, or infrastructure engineering roles.
  • Expertise in Bash and Python scripting, Docker/Podman, and Linux administration.
  • Hands-on experience with CI/CD tools like Bamboo and Drone.
  • Solid knowledge of Git, Bitbucket, and GitLab, including branching strategies and workflows.
  • Familiarity with networking basics (DNS, firewalls, load balancing, etc.).

What Sets You Apart:
  • Experience with tools like Terraform, Ansible, or other infrastructure-as-code platforms.
  • Expertise in monitoring tools like Prometheus, Grafana, or ELK.
  • Knowledge of GitOps workflows and secrets management tools (Vault, sealed secrets).
  • Experience working in security-sensitive or regulated environments.
  • Identifies opportunities to apply AI for continuous improvement and innovation.

Our Commitment to You:
  • An exciting career path with opportunities for continuous learning and development.
  • Research oriented work, alongside award winning teams developing practical solutions for our nation's security
  • Flexible schedules with every other Friday off work, if desired (9/80 schedule)
  • Competitive benefits, including 401k matching, flex time off, paid parental leave, healthcare benefits, health & wellness programs, employee resource and social groups, and more
  • See more at gdmissionsystems.com/careers/why-work-for-us/benefits

Workplace Options:
This position is fully onsite in Middletown, RI.
#CJ2
Salary Note
This estimate represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors (geographic location, etc.). Actual pay may vary. This job posting will remain open until the position is filled.
Combined Salary Range
USD $118,570.00 - USD $138,065.00 /Yr.
Company Overview
General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation. With a global team of 12,000+ top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defense and scientific arenas. Given the nature of our work and who we are, we value trust, honesty, alignment and transparency. We offer highly competitive benefits and pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose. You will also enjoy a flexible work environment where contributions are recognized and rewarded. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we invite you to join our high-performance team!
Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans

What General Dynamics Mission Systems employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply