ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Drone Operations Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

CalPortland

Mining Engineer

Jurupa Valley, CA · On-site

$105K - $135K/yr

Work with the environmental division to develop and maintain mining operations to remain in compliance with local and federal agencies * Operate as a commercial drone pilot operate remote drones for ...

CalPortland

Mining Engineer

Jurupa Valley, CA

$105K - $135K/yr

Work with the environmental division to develop and maintain mining operations to remain in compliance with local and federal agencies * Operate as a commercial drone pilot operate remote drones for ...

CalPortland

Mining Engineer

Jurupa Valley, CA

$105K - $135K/yr

Work with the environmental division to develop and maintain mining operations to remain in compliance with local and federal agencies * Operate as a commercial drone pilot operate remote drones for ...

Quinn Company CAT

Be Seen First

Director of Technology

Riverside, CA · On-site

$171K - $219K/yr

... drone and geospatial tools, and emerging AI-enabled platforms, not just selling them, but ... You'll directly manage Technology Sales Specialists, Operations, Service, and Technician teams ...

Exodigo

Field Operator

Mira Loma, CA · On-site

$33 - $35/hr

As field operation technician, you play a critical role in scaling Exodigo's growth. Here are some ... drone (for more information visit www.exodigo.ai) • Identify underground assets using advance ...

Exodigo

Field Operator

Ontario, CA · On-site

$33 - $35/hr

As field operation technician, you play a critical role in scaling Exodigo's growth. Here are some ... Operate our underground discovery tools using patented carts and drone (for more information visit ...

Exodigo

Field Operator

Mira Loma, CA · On-site

$33 - $35/hr

As field operation technician, you play a critical role in scaling Exodigo's growth. Here are some ... Operate our underground discovery tools using patented carts and drone (for more information visit ...

Exodigo

Field Operator

Irvine, CA · On-site

$33 - $35/hr

As field operation technician, you play a critical role in scaling Exodigo's growth. Here are some ... drone (for more information visit www.exodigo.ai) • Identify underground assets using advance ...

Exodigo

Field Operator

Irvine, CA · On-site

$33 - $35/hr

As field operation technician, you play a critical role in scaling Exodigo's growth. Here are some ... Operate our underground discovery tools using patented carts and drone (for more information visit ...

Exodigo

Field Operator

Mira Loma, CA · On-site

$33 - $35/hr

As field operation technician, you play a critical role in scaling Exodigo's growth. Here are some ... drone (for more information visit www.exodigo.ai) • Identify underground assets using advance ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsDrone Operations JobsDrone Operations Jobs in Riverside, CA

Drone Operations information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$11

$27

$55

How much do drone operations jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for drone operations in Riverside, CA is $27.38, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.56 and $31.59 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 typically requires certifications, technical skills, and knowledge of aviation regulations, making it a viable career option for those interested in technology and aviation. Job opportunities are expanding as drone technology becomes more widely adopted across sectors.

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.

How do you become a drone operations?

To become a drone operator, individuals typically need to obtain a remote pilot certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or relevant authority, which involves passing a knowledge test. Additionally, gaining experience with drone flight, understanding safety protocols, and mastering drone controls and regulations are important steps in the process.

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.

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.

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 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 Riverside, CA? For Drone Operations jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Drone Operations jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Drone Operations jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Drone Operations jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Drone Operations job openings:
Drone Operations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drone Operations job openings in Riverside, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,950 per year, or $27.4 per hour.

Prime Air Ops Manager , Amazon Prime Air

Amazon

Beaumont, CA

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago

Amazon rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 7,062 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 39 rated national retailers

Job description

Here at Amazon, we embrace our differences. We are committed to furthering our culture of diversity and inclusion of our teams within the organization.
How do you get items to customers quickly, cost-effectively, and-most importantly-safely, in less than an hour. And how do you do it in a way that can scale

Our teams of hundreds of scientists, engineers, aerospace professionals, and futurists have been working hard to do just that. We are delivering to customers and are excited for what's to come.
If you are seeking an iterative environment where you can drive innovation, apply state-of-the-art technologies to solve real world delivery challenges, and provide benefits to customers, Prime Air is the place for you.

Come work on the Amazon Prime Air Team!
Check out more information about Prime Air on the About Amazon blog: https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/transportation/amazon-prime-air-delivery-drone-reveal-photos
Key job responsibilities
Prime Air is seeking an experienced Drone Operations Manager to own the end-to-end operation at our drone delivery hubs. This person will act as the leader of the Prime Air commercial operations center. In that capacity, they will manage all aspects of the commercial ops, including our fulfillment center (outbound/ inbound), drone maintenance and spare parts, and flight operations

They will act as the senior leader on site and have direct responsibility over managers and employees on site. They will partner with Prime Air customer-facing teams (customer support, marketing, PR) to provide the best ultra-fast delivery experience, and with technical and support functions (Training and Compliance, Product, Engineering, IT, Facilities, Finance, HR, Supply Chain) to drive a highly efficient operation and ultimately have direct impact on Prime Air's S-team goal of delivering packages to customers via drone.
Still on the fence.

Check out our most recent launch: https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/transportation/amazon-drone-delivery-arizona
Come take flight with us!
Export Control License: This position may require a deemed export control license for compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Placement is contingent on Amazon's ability to apply for and obtain an export control license on your behalf.
This position will be subject to Department of Transportation (DOT) drug and alcohol testing. Federal law requires Amazon to determine an applicant's history of Department of Transportation (DOT) drug and/or alcohol violations(s) or refusal(s) to test before hiring him/her into a safety-sensitive position, if applicable

What Amazon employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Amazon logo

About Amazon

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Amazon.com, Inc., commonly known as Amazon, is an American multinational technology company. It was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 and initially started as an online marketplace for books. Since then, Amazon has expanded its operations and become one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world. Amazon's primary business is its online retail platform, where customers can purchase a vast array of products, including electronics, clothing, books, home goods, and much more. The company offers a convenient and user-friendly shopping experience, with features such as fast shipping, customer reviews, and personalized recommendations. In addition to its e-commerce platform, Amazon has diversified its business into various other areas. One of its notable ventures is Amazon Web Services (AWS), a comprehensive cloud computing platform that provides services such as storage, compute power, and database management to individuals and businesses. AWS has become a leader in the cloud computing industry, powering many websites and applications worldwide. Amazon has also developed its own consumer electronics, including the popular Amazon Kindle e-reader, Fire tablets, Fire TV streaming devices, and the Alexa-powered Echo smart speakers. The Alexa voice assistant, integrated into these devices, allows users to interact with their devices using voice commands, perform tasks, and access information. Furthermore, Amazon has expanded into media and entertainment. It operates Prime Video, a streaming service that offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, and original content. Amazon Music provides a platform for streaming and purchasing digital music, while Audible offers audiobooks and other audio content. The company's commitment to customer satisfaction and convenience is demonstrated by its membership program, Amazon Prime. Prime members receive various benefits, including free two-day shipping, access to streaming services, exclusive deals, and more.

Industry

It services, book publishers, retail, real estate and computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Seattle, WA, US

View All Amazon Jobs

Apply