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Drone Operators Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Axon

Senior Product Manager, Defeat

Sterling, VA · On-site

$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

$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 ...

GliaCell Technologies

Senior Reverse Engineer

Laurel, MD · On-site

$200K - $280K/yr

Tired of being treated like a company drone? * Tired of promised adventures during the hiring phase ... Experience working as an interactive operator. * Experience working as a developer. Location:

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 ...

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All JobsDrone Operators JobsDrone Operators Jobs in Washington

Drone Operators information

See Washington salary details

$10

$26

$64

How much do drone operators jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for drone operators in Washington is $26.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.97 and $26.84 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What do drone operators get paid?

Drone operators typically earn between $15 and $50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of the tasks. Salaries can range from around $30,000 to over $80,000 annually for full-time positions, especially in industries like filmmaking, surveying, or inspection that require specialized skills and certifications.

What is the difference between Drone Operators vs Drone Pilots?

AspectDrone OperatorsDrone Pilots
CertificationsFAA Part 107 certificationFAA Part 107 certification
Work EnvironmentVaries from construction sites to film setsTypically flying drones in outdoor or controlled environments
Employer & IndustryMedia, agriculture, construction, inspectionFilmmaking, aerial photography, surveying

Drone Operators and Drone Pilots often share certifications and work environments, but Drone Pilots usually focus on flying drones for filming or photography, while Drone Operators may handle broader operational tasks. Both roles are essential in industries utilizing drone technology, with overlapping skills but different primary responsibilities.

Is there a demand for drone operators?

The demand for drone operators is growing across industries such as agriculture, construction, photography, and inspection services. Employers seek certified operators skilled in operating drones and understanding regulations, with job opportunities increasing as drone technology becomes more integrated into various sectors.

How do you become a drone operator?

To become a drone operator, you 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 airspace regulations, and mastering drone controls and safety procedures are important steps in the process.

Is drone piloting a good career?

Drone operators are responsible for flying and managing unmanned aerial vehicles for various industries such as photography, surveying, and inspection. The field offers opportunities for technical skill development and often requires certification, with job prospects growing as drone technology expands. However, it can involve irregular hours and regulatory compliance.
What are popular job titles related to Drone Operators jobs in Washington? For Drone Operators jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
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Drone Operators jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drone Operators job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 12% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $54,112 per year, or $26 per hour.

Senior Product Manager II, RF Detection & Tracking

Axon

Sterling, VA • On-site

$125K - $165K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 24 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 157 rated electronics manufacturers

Job description

Your Impact

As Senior PM II for RF Detection & Tracking, you own the technical moat at the heart of Dedrone. TDoA networks, RFML classification, spectrum coverage - if it picks a drone out of the noise, you own it. This is the most senior PM IC seat at Dedrone today and requires holding engineering depth with RF scientists and ML engineers while driving a multi-year roadmap.

What You'll Do
  • Own RF Detection & Tracking end-to-end: TDoA, RFML classification, spectrum coverage, protocol expansion
  • Partner with RF Engineering, Hardware, and Data Science on roadmap and release trade-offs
  • Drive Dedrone's competitive posture in classification accuracy and spectrum breadth
  • Write PRDs that survive RF engineering critique and ship on schedule
  • Spend time with federal, DoD, and critical-infrastructure operators in the field
What You Bring
  • 10+ years PM, with 5+ in RF, wireless, ML/RFML, radar, or signal-processing domains
  • Proven track record shipping a classification or detection product with measurable accuracy improvement
  • Working knowledge of TDoA, RF geolocation, and ML classification concepts
  • US person (ITAR eligibility required)
Why This Matters

RF is the moat. This role defends and extends it.

Location: Sterling, VA (primary) or Axon hub (secondary)Benefits that Benefit You
  • Competitive salary and 401k with employer match
  • Discretionary time off
  • Paid parental leave for all
  • Medical, Dental, Vision plans
  • Fitness Programs
  • Emotional & Development Programs
  • And yes, we have snacks in our offices

What Axon employees say

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