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Drone Operator Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Axon

Senior Product Manager, Defeat

Sterling, VA

$125K - $165K/yr

... turn drone detections into coordinated responses. You'll partner with engineering, design, and field teams to ship the tools operators use to neutralize threats - kinetic and non-kinetic - at ...

Bechtel

PIMS Senior GIS Administrator

Reston, VA · On-site

$123K - $178K/yr

... operating an ArcGIS Enterprise solution, and an advanced level of proficiency and demonstrated ... Reality capture - drone/UAV program; LiDAR point clouds and photogrammetry into 3D models ...

Bechtel

PIMS Senior GIS Administrator

Reston, VA · On-site

$123K - $178K/yr

... operating an ArcGIS Enterprise solution, and an advanced level of proficiency and demonstrated ... Reality capture -- drone/UAV program; LiDAR point clouds and photogrammetry into 3D models ...

Leonardo DRS

Facilities Manager

Germantown, MD · On-site

$107K - $144K/yr

... counter-drone applications, critical infrastructure protection, and border surveillance. Job ... Develop and maintain an operating budget to ensure that such maintenance is carried out on a cost ...

Leonardo DRS

Facilities Manager

Germantown, MD · On-site

$107K - $144K/yr

... counter-drone applications, critical infrastructure protection, and border surveillance. Job ... Develop and maintain an operating budget to ensure that such maintenance is carried out on a cost ...

RedPeg Marketing

Controller - Pixis Drones

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

We design and fly custom drone light shows for global brands, major sports properties, and Fortune ... Big Four or national accounting firm foundation, followed by operating experience. * Experience ...

RedPeg Marketing

Controller - Pixis Drones

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

We design and fly custom drone light shows for global brands, major sports properties, and Fortune ... Big Four or national accounting firm foundation, followed by operating experience. * Experience ...

Sentrycs

Customer Support Specialist USA

Washington, DC · On-site

... drone mitigation solutions trusted by governments, defense organizations, airports, critical infrastructure operators, and law enforcement agencies worldwide. As we continue our expansion in North ...

TrustPoint

Controller

Dulles, VA · On-site

... drone delivery, self-driving cars, urban air mobility, and augmented reality. The $260B annual GNSS ... Working closely with the CEO and COO, you will build the systems, processes, and financial ...

TrustPoint

Controller

Sterling, VA · On-site

$163K - $212K/yr

... drone delivery, self-driving cars, urban air mobility, and augmented reality. The $260B annual GNSS ... Working closely with the CEO and COO, you will build the systems, processes, and financial ...

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All JobsDrone Operator JobsDrone Operator Jobs in Reston, VA

Drone Operator information

See Reston, VA salary details

$11

$23

$38

How much do drone operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for drone operator in Reston, VA is $23.97, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.75 and $22.74 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by drone operators during field operations?

Drone operators often face challenges such as adapting to changing weather conditions, maintaining compliance with local aviation regulations, and troubleshooting technical issues with equipment in the field. Additionally, they may need to coordinate closely with team members or clients on-site to ensure safety and meet project objectives. Effective communication and thorough pre-flight planning are essential to mitigate risks and complete missions successfully.

What is a drone operator?

Drone operators are professionals who pilot unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, for various purposes such as aerial photography, surveying, inspections, mapping, agriculture, and delivery services. They are responsible for planning flights, operating the drone safely, capturing data or images, and maintaining equipment. Drone operators must comply with aviation regulations, ensure safe flight paths, and often analyze the data collected during their missions. The job requires technical skills, attention to detail, and sometimes certification depending on the country and type of operation.

What is the difference between Drone Operator vs Drone Pilot?

AspectDrone OperatorDrone Pilot
CertificationsFAA Part 107 certificationFAA Part 107 certification
Work EnvironmentIndoor/outdoor, various industriesOutdoor, primarily flight operations
Employer & IndustryMedia, agriculture, construction, inspectionFilmmaking, surveying, inspection
Common Search IntentOperational roles, job descriptionsFlying, piloting, flight skills

While both Drone Operators and Drone Pilots require FAA Part 107 certification and often work in similar environments, Drone Operators typically focus on managing drone operations, data collection, and payload handling. Drone Pilots primarily focus on flying the drone, ensuring safe and precise flight. The roles often overlap, but Drone Operators may handle more of the operational planning and data processing, whereas Drone Pilots concentrate on the actual flight execution.

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

To thrive as a Drone Operator, you need strong spatial awareness, hand-eye coordination, and a solid understanding of aviation regulations, often supported by a Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107) from the FAA. Familiarity with drone flight control software, GPS systems, and camera operation is crucial for effective and safe operations. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective communication set standout operators apart, especially when working in teams or with clients. These skills ensure safe, compliant, and high-quality drone operations across diverse industries such as surveying, videography, and inspection.
What are popular job titles related to Drone Operator jobs in Reston, VA? For Drone Operator jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Drone Operator jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Drone Operator jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Drone Operator jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Drone Operator job openings:
Drone Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drone Operator job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 49% Full Time, 49% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,864 per year, or $24 per hour.

Senior Product Manager, Defeat

Axon

Sterling, VA

$125K - $165K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 29 days ago

Axon rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 156 rated electronics manufacturers

Job description

Your Impact

As Senior PM for Mitigation & Threat Management, you will own the C2 workflows that turn drone detections into coordinated responses. You'll partner with engineering, design, and field teams to ship the tools operators use to neutralize threats - kinetic and non-kinetic - at stadiums, bases, borders, and critical facilities worldwide. This is one of the highest-leverage PM seats at Dedrone, sitting at the intersection of real-time software, defense workflows, and customer mission outcomes.

What You'll Do 

Location: Onsite at our Sterling, VA office 4 days a week
Reports to: VP of Product, Dedrone
Direct Reports: N/A

  • Own the Mitigation & Threat Management product surface end-to-end: vision, roadmap, requirements, launch
  • Work closely with Software Engineering, Data Science, UX / Design, and QA teams to ship response workflows that hold up under real-world operator pressure
  • Partner with the Kinetic & Novel Defeat team on integrated response options
  • Drive customer validation through direct engagement with law enforcement, military, and critical-infrastructure operators
  • Implement AI agents to reinvent how you ship products and 10x your product team's effectiveness
What You Bring
  • 7+ years of product management experience, with 3+ in defense, security, real-time operations, or comparable mission-critical domains
  • A passion for understanding customers' challenges and objectives and a proven track record shipping operator-facing products used under stress
  • The ability to translate ambiguous customer problems into well-defined product requirements and technical specifications
  • A talent for collaborating with agile software development teams to turn complex technical processes into intuitive and effective user workflows
  • The ability to combine speed of execution with an uncompromising commitment to quality
  • Strong analytical skills with experience defining and tracking product metrics to drive decisions
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to bridge technical and non-technical audiences
  • Working knowledge of counter-UAS, kinetic/non-kinetic response, ITAR, and rules-of-engagement concepts
  • US person (ITAR and U.S. security clearance eligibility required)
Benefits that Benefit You
  • Competitive salary and 401k with employer match
  • Discretionary paid time off
  • Paid parental leave for all
  • Medical, Dental, Vision plans
  • Fitness Programs
  • Emotional & Mental Wellness support
  • Learning & Development programs
  • Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
  • And yes, we have snacks in our offices

Benefits listed herein may vary depending on the nature of your employment and the location where you work.

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