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Drone Operators Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

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:

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Drone Operators information

See Washington salary details

$10

$26

$64

How much do drone operators jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 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 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.

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 safety regulations, and mastering drone controls and equipment are important steps in qualifying for the role.

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.

Is there a demand for drone operators?

Demand for drone operators is growing across industries such as agriculture, construction, photography, and inspection services. Employers seek certified operators skilled in using remote control systems and relevant regulations, with job opportunities increasing as drone technology becomes more integrated into various sectors.

What do drone operators get paid?

Drone operators typically earn between $15 and $30 per hour, with annual salaries ranging from $30,000 to $70,000 depending on experience, location, and industry. Certified operators with specialized skills or working in commercial sectors may earn higher wages.

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:

What job categories do people searching Drone Operators jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Drone Operators jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Drone Operators jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Drone Operators job openings:

Drone Operators jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drone Operators job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 68% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 16% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $54,112 per year, or $26 per hour.

Principal Python Software Engineer

GliaCell Technologies

Laurel, MD • On-site

$200K - $280K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

***An active or rein-statable TS/SCI with Polygraph security clearance is REQUIRED. Please do not apply if you currently do not possess this level of clearance.***
Are you a Principal Software Engineer who is ready for a new challenge that will launch your career to the next level?
  • Tired of being treated like a company drone?
  • Tired of promised adventures during the hiring phase, then dropped off on a remote contract and never seen or heard from the mothership again?
  • Our engineers were certainly tired of the same.

At GliaCell our slogan is "We make It happen".
  • We will immerse you in the latest technologies.
  • We will develop and support your own personalized training program to continue your individual growth.
  • We will provide you with work that matters with our mission focused customers, and surround you with a family of brilliant engineers.

Culture isn't something you need to talk about...if it just exists.
If this sounds interesting to you, then we'd like to have a discussion regarding your next adventure! If you want to be a drone, this isn't the place for you.
We Make It Happen!
GliaCell Technologies focuses on Software & System Engineering in Enterprise and Cyber Security solution spaces. We excel at delivering stable and reliable software solutions using Agile Software Development principles. These provide us the capability to deliver a quick turn-around using interactive applications and the integration of industry standard software stacks.
GliaCell's Enterprise capabilities include Full-Stack Application Development, Big Data, Cloud Technologies, Analytics, Machine Learning, AI, and DevOps Containerization. We also provide customer solutions in the areas of CND, CNE, and CNO by providing our customers with assessments and solutions in Threat Mitigation, Vulnerability Exposure, Penetration Testing, Threat Hunting, and Preventing Advanced Persistent Threat.
We Offer:
  • Long term job security
  • Competitive salaries & bonus opportunities
  • Challenging work you are passionate about
  • Ability to work with some amazingly talented people

Job Description:
GliaCell is seeking a Principal Software Engineer on one of our subcontracts. This is a full-time position offering the opportunity to support a U.S. Government customer. The mission is to provide technical expertise that assists in sustaining critical mission-related software and systems to a large government contract.
Responsibilities:
  • Develop, enhance, and prototype compliance and business processing analytics and tools.
  • Develop new methods for automating compliance functions and improve existing methods.
  • Investigate, integrate, and test compliance modernization Machine Learning/AI algorithms and research proof-of-concepts in the RD environment.
  • Develop models and implement appropriate metrics and monitoring of developed tools, functions, and data flows.

Key Requirements:
To be considered for this position you must have the following:
  • Possess an active or rein-statable TS/SCI with Polygraph security clearance.
  • U.S. Citizenship.
  • Professional/Education experience: 20 years & Bachelors of Science Degree, or 4 additional years in place of a BS Degree.
  • Works well independently as well as on a team.
  • Strong communication skills.

Required Skills:
  • Experience with Python
  • Experience with GM Learn
  • Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA)
  • Experience with Jira
  • Experience with Confluence
  • Experience developing in a Linux operating environment

Highly Desired Skills:
  • Experience with Java and Scala
  • Experience with Lucene, JEXL, SQL, JSON
  • Random Forest and ability to do feature development for Random Forest
  • Experience with Machine Learning Model building and monitoring
  • Experience with Ghostmachine (Map/Reduce)
  • Experience with Jupyter Notebooks
  • Experience with IntelliJ and/or Eclipse
  • Experience with Git/Gitlab and/or Stash/Bitbucket
  • Experience with Scikit-learn
  • Agency Compliance standards, policies, and authorities
  • Experience with Agency corporate systems
  • Experience with documentation and reviewing documentation

Desired Skills:
  • Data Science skills/background
  • Experience with AWS
  • Experience implementing ML systems
  • Experience with Spark
  • Agentic AI
  • Large Language Models (LLM)
  • Machine Learning Feature Development
  • Other Machine Learning models and techniques

Location: Laurel, MD (onsite full time)
Salary Range: The salary range for this full-time position is $200,000 to $280,000. Our salary ranges are determined by position, level, skills, professional experience, relevant education and certifications. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for this position across our projects. Within the range, your salary is determined by your individual benefits package selection. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred position during the hiring process. SIGN-ON BONUS ELIGIBLE.
Benefits:
  • CareFirst Medical Coverage for Employee and Dependents
  • Guardian Dental and Vision Coverage for Employee and Dependents
  • Up to 25 Days of Paid Time Off
  • Up to 40 hours of PTO Carryover
  • 11 Federal Government Holidays
  • Work From Home Opportunities
  • 401K Company Contribution, Fully Vested Day 1
  • Discretionary, Certification, and Sign-On Bonus Potential
  • Employee Referral Bonus Program
  • Annual Professional Development
  • 100% Premium Covered for Life & Disability Insurances
  • Additional Voluntary Life Insurance Coverage Available
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Travel Protection Program
  • Financial Planning Assistance
  • Bereavement and Jury Duty Leave
  • Monthly Team and Family Events
  • Technology Budget
  • Global Entry
  • Annual Swag Budget

Learn more about GliaCell Technologies: https://gliacelltechnologies.applytojob.com/apply/
To apply for this position, respond to this job posting and attach an updated resume for us to review.
GliaCell Technologies, LLC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

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