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Drone Operations Jobs in Nevada (NOW HIRING)

Sentradel

Drone Operator and Engineer

Minden, NV · On-site

$70 - $110/hr

We are seeking a Drone Operator to build, program, and fly the drones our turret shoots down, and ... Prior military or commercial UAS operations background US Person Requirement Sentradel is a US ...

Air Pixels, Inc.

Drone Operator and Engineer

Minden, NV · On-site

$60 - $90/hr

We are seeking a Drone Operator to build, program, and fly the drones our turret shoots down, and ... Prior military or commercial UAS operations background US Person Requirement Sentradel is a US ...

New

STARTOUCH INC

Regional Field Service Manager

Reno, NV · On-site

... drone operation, PC and laptop computers and company software programs -Demonstrated ability to program and test microwave radios, routers and equipment -Demonstrated skills and ability to perform ...

STARTOUCH INC

Regional Field Service Manager

Reno, NV · On-site

... drone operation, PC and laptop computers and company software programs -Demonstrated ability to program and test microwave radios, routers and equipment -Demonstrated skills and ability to perform ...

StarTouch Inc

Regional Field Service Manager

Reno, NV · On-site

... drone operation, PC and laptop computers and company software programs -Demonstrated ability to program and test microwave radios, routers and equipment -Demonstrated skills and ability to perform ...

STARTOUCH INC

Regional Field Service Manager

Reno, NV · On-site

... drone operation, PC and laptop computers and company software programs -Demonstrated ability to program and test microwave radios, routers and equipment -Demonstrated skills and ability to perform ...

PGAL

Mid-Level Visualization Designer

Las Vegas, NV

Experience with photography, videography, drone operation, or traditional illustration * Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship PGAL offers a ...

New

Sawtooth Mining

Surveyor

Winnemucca, NV · On-site

Working closely with engineering, geology, and operations teams, the incumbent provides surveying ... An FAA Part 107 drone license is required or must be obtained within 60 days of hire. ANALYSIS OF ...

Sawtooth Mining

Surveyor

Winnemucca, NV

Working closely with engineering, geology, and operations teams, the incumbent provides surveying ... An FAA Part 107 drone license is required or must be obtained within 60 days of hire. ANALYSIS OF ...

HTSG

Safety Specialist

Sparks, NV · On-site

$35 - $40/hr

Integrate safety requirements into each phase of project operations * Maintain accurate safety ... drone deployment, vendor and project management, and general staff augmentation. Their approach ...

Clean Harbors

Remediation Project Supervisor

Reno, NV · On-site +1

$18.75 - $53.41/hr

Additional annual reimbursement for maintaining certain licenses including a drone pilot's license ... service operations preferred; * 2-4 years supervisory experience preferred; * Valid DL and ...

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All JobsDrone Operations JobsDrone Operations Jobs in Nevada

Drone Operations information

See Nevada salary details

$12

$26

$54

How much do drone operations jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for drone operations in Nevada is $26.59, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.89 and $30.19 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are drone operations?

Drone operations refer to the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for various tasks such as aerial photography, surveying, inspection, mapping, delivery, and surveillance. These operations involve planning flight paths, piloting drones, ensuring compliance with regulations, and collecting or analyzing data captured by the drone. Drone operators may work in industries like agriculture, construction, real estate, public safety, and logistics, depending on the mission and type of drone used. Safety, accuracy, and adherence to legal requirements are key aspects of successful drone operations.

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

To thrive as a Drone Operations Specialist, you need strong piloting skills, a solid understanding of aviation regulations, and often a Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107) from the FAA. Familiarity with flight planning software, GPS navigation systems, and various drone platforms is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication help you manage missions safely and collaborate with team members. These skills ensure safe, compliant, and efficient drone operations across a range of industries.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in drone operations, and how can they be addressed?

Drone operations professionals frequently encounter challenges such as changing weather conditions, regulatory compliance, and maintaining equipment reliability. Adapting flight plans to sudden weather shifts and staying updated on evolving FAA regulations are essential for safe and legal operation. Additionally, effective pre- and post-flight maintenance routines help minimize technical issues. Collaborating closely with team members, such as airspace coordinators and data analysts, ensures that missions are completed efficiently and safely.

What is the difference between Drone Operations vs Drone Pilots?

AspectDrone OperationsDrone Pilots
CertificationsFAA Part 107 certification, safety trainingFAA Part 107 certification, flight training
Work EnvironmentTeam coordination, planning, and managementFlying drones, on-site or remote
Employer & Industry UsageMedia, agriculture, construction, inspectionFilming, surveying, inspection

Drone Operations involves managing drone missions, coordinating teams, and planning flights, often requiring additional project management skills. Drone Pilots focus primarily on flying drones and capturing footage or data. While both roles require FAA Part 107 certification, Drone Operations emphasizes coordination and planning, whereas Drone Pilots concentrate on piloting skills and flight execution.

Are drone operations in high demand?

Drone operations professionals are experiencing increasing demand across industries such as agriculture, construction, and film production due to the growing use of unmanned aerial vehicles. Skills in piloting, maintenance, and obtaining relevant certifications can improve job prospects as the industry expands.

How do you become a drone operations?

To become a drone operator, you typically need to obtain a remote pilot certificate from the relevant aviation authority, which involves passing a knowledge test. Additionally, gaining experience with drone flight, understanding safety regulations, and mastering drone controls and maintenance are important steps in the process.

Is a drone operations a good career?

Drone operations is a growing field that involves piloting and managing unmanned aerial vehicles for various industries such as photography, surveying, and inspection. It requires technical skills, certifications, and knowledge of safety regulations, making it a viable career option with increasing demand. Job prospects depend on industry growth and regional regulations.

What do drone operations get paid?

Drone operators typically earn between $15 and $30 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of the tasks. Salaries can range from around $35,000 to over $70,000 annually for full-time positions, especially for those with certifications and specialized skills in aerial photography, surveying, or inspection. Pay may also vary based on whether the work is freelance or employed by a company.

What are popular job titles related to Drone Operations jobs in Nevada?

For Drone Operations jobs in Nevada, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Drone Operations jobs in Nevada look for?

The top searched job categories for Drone Operations jobs in Nevada are:

What cities in Nevada are hiring for Drone Operations jobs?

Cities in Nevada with the most Drone Operations job openings:

Drone Operations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drone Operations job openings in Nevada as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,317 per year, or $26.6 per hour.

Drone Operator and Engineer

Sentradel

Minden, NV • On-site

$70 - $110/hr

Other

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

About Sentradel

Over 90 percent of combat deaths in Ukraine are caused by small drones. In Colombia, over 100 military and police officers have been killed by cartel operated drones. Shahed drones hit civilian and military targets across the Middle East uncontested. Unjammable fiber optic and AI controlled drones are making the threat cheaper, faster, and harder to stop. This problem will only get worse.

Sentradel is a defense startup building autonomous, low cost kinetic turret systems designed to defeat Group 1 (small FPV drones) and low flying Group 2 drone threats. We have shot down dozens of drones in live fire testing, have active Department of War agreements, commercial partnerships, and sales.

How we work

Full time, in person at our Minden, Nevada office. We also travel and test frequently at ranges across the US with partners and customers.

Job Overview

Every live fire test we run needs a target in the air. We are seeking a Drone Operator to build, program, and fly the drones our turret shoots down, and to run the flight side of demos in front of customers. You own the fleet end to end: airframes, firmware, flight profiles, and the repairs between sorties.

Responsibilities
  • Build, wire, solder, and repair the target drone fleet
  • Flash and configure flight controllers, tune aircraft for repeatable test profiles
  • Modify ArduPilot source to get behavior stock firmware will not do, including speed caps, failsafes, and autonomous attack profiles
  • Plan and fly autonomous missions that produce consistent, repeatable engagements for the turret
  • Serve as pilot in command at range tests and customer demos across the US
  • Own batteries, radios, ground stations, and spares so a test day never stops for a missing part
  • Pull flight logs and turn them into usable test data for the engineering team
Qualifications
  • Extensive ArduPilot experience: Mission Planner, parameter tuning, custom builds, and reading a log to explain why the aircraft did what it did
  • You can read the ArduPilot codebase, modify it, compile it, and flash it yourself
  • FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
  • You have built drones from bare frames: soldering, wiring, ESCs, motors, power, and RF
  • Expert level stick time, manual and autonomous
  • You have fixed a broken aircraft in the field and flown it again the same day
Bonus Skills
  • INAV or Betaflight experience
  • Python or C++
  • FPV and fixed wing experience
  • Prior military or commercial UAS operations background
US Person Requirement

Sentradel is a US defense contractor and this role involves access to export-controlled technical data. Applicants must be a US Person as defined under ITAR (22 CFR 120.62): a US citizen, US lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or a protected individual such as a refugee or asylee.

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