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Drone Pilot In Command Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Azul

Sales Engineer

Boston, MA · Remote

$150K - $175K/yr

... command of Java architecture. * Proven track record of hands-on pilots and POCs and of performance-related engagements where you measured and demonstrated technical results in a customer environment.

Azul

Sales Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

... command of Java architecture. * Proven track record of hands-on pilots and POCs and of performance-related engagements where you measured and demonstrated technical results in a customer environment.

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All JobsDrone Pilot In Command JobsDrone Pilot In Command Jobs in Boston, MA

Drone Pilot In Command information

See Boston, MA salary details

$53.8K

$142.2K

$218.4K

How much do drone pilot in command jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for drone pilot in command in Boston, MA is $142,227.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $108,600.00 and $168,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Drone Pilot In Command?

A Drone Pilot In Command (PIC) is the individual legally responsible for the operation and safety of a drone flight. This person oversees the entire mission, makes operational decisions, and ensures compliance with aviation regulations. The PIC must hold the appropriate certifications, such as the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate in the U.S. They are also responsible for pre-flight planning, assessing risks, maintaining communication, and responding to emergencies. Ultimately, the Drone Pilot In Command ensures all aspects of the drone operation are conducted safely and legally.

What is the difference between Drone Pilot In Command vs Drone Operator?

AspectDrone Pilot In CommandDrone Operator
CertificationsFAA Part 107 Remote Pilot CertificateMay also hold Part 107 or other certifications, but less emphasis on command authority
Work EnvironmentResponsible for flight operations, safety, and compliance during drone missionsAssists with drone setup, data collection, and post-flight tasks
Employer & IndustryCommercial drone services, aerial photography, surveying, inspectionSupport roles within the same industries, often working under the Pilot In Command

The main difference is that the Drone Pilot In Command holds the legal responsibility for drone flights, including safety and compliance, while the Drone Operator typically assists with operational tasks. Both roles often work together, but the Pilot In Command has the final authority and accountability during flights.

What are the common challenges faced by a Drone Pilot In Command when operating in diverse environments?

As a Drone Pilot In Command, you may frequently encounter challenges such as adapting to rapidly changing weather conditions, complying with evolving airspace regulations, and coordinating with on-site teams in unfamiliar or complex locations. Each environment—urban, rural, or industrial—presents unique obstacles, like signal interference or restricted access. Effective communication, strong situational awareness, and thorough pre-flight planning are essential to ensure safe and successful operations in any setting.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Drone Pilot In Command, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Drone Pilot In Command, you need strong piloting skills, knowledge of aviation regulations, and typically a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA. Familiarity with flight planning software, GPS systems, and various drone platforms is essential for safe and efficient operations. Attention to detail, situational awareness, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for handling unexpected situations and coordinating with teams. These competencies ensure safe, compliant, and successful drone missions across diverse industries.
What are popular job titles related to Drone Pilot In Command jobs in Boston, MA? For Drone Pilot In Command jobs in Boston, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Drone Pilot In Command jobs in Boston, MA look for? The top searched job categories for Drone Pilot In Command jobs in Boston, MA are:
What cities near Boston, MA are hiring for Drone Pilot In Command jobs? Cities near Boston, MA with the most Drone Pilot In Command job openings:
Drone Pilot In Command jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drone Pilot In Command job openings in Boston, MA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $142,227 per year, or $68.4 per hour.

Staff Software Engineer, Autonomous Pilot Integration (R5208)

Shield AI

Boston, MA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI's technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

The Autonomous Pilot Integration team builds autonomy solutions for a wide range of CONOPs and mission sets. We combine capabilities from the Autonomy Capabilities team (motion planning, tactics), the Perception team (e.g., track fusion), and the HivemindSDK to develop the autonomy software that runs on an unmanned platform - air, maritime, space, or effects/expendables, depending on the program - then integrate, validate, and field it on the real hardware. In this role, you'll write new autonomy code - such as mission behaviors, platform-specific control, multi-agent coordination, contingencies, and executive autonomy - and own it end-to-end from software-in-the-loop, to hardware-in-the-loop, to vehicle-in-the-loop, to live test exercise. You'll partner closely with the Autonomy Capabilities and Perception teams, feature crews, and external platform integrators (vehicle/autopilot control vendors, C2 providers). It's a hands-on role for engineers who like seeing their code operate in the real world - whether that's flying, sailing, orbiting, or downrange - and want to be there when it does. 

At this level, you'll also serve as a technical leader within the team - leading a small feature crew or sub-program through design, integration, and delivery, mentoring mid-level engineers, and representing the team directly to capability teams and external partners. 

Shield AI is committed to developing cutting-edge autonomy for unmanned platforms across every operating domain - air, maritime, space, and effects/expendables - in service of the U.S. Department of Defense and our international defense customers. Our Autonomous Pilot Integration engineers bridge the gap between R&D and deployment, ensuring autonomous systems function reliably and effectively wherever and whenever they're needed most. 

What You'll Do:

  • Develop & Field Autonomy - Develop & integrate autonomy software solutions onto unmanned platforms (air, maritime, space, or effects/expendables), including payload computer bring-up, container-based deployment (e.g., k3s/k3d), and configuration across onboard compute, sensors, and command-and-control interfaces - and lead a small team through the design, development, and delivery of a major capability or sub-program. 

  • Technical Leadership - Lead a small feature crew or sub-program; set technical direction, break down work, unblock the team, and report progress to leadership and stakeholders. 

  • Collaboration Across Teams - Act as a primary technical interface with the Autonomy Capabilities team (motion planning, tactics), the Perception team, feature crews, and external partners (platform integrators, vehicle/autopilot control vendors, C2 providers); author and negotiate ICDs and interface contracts rather than just consume them 

  • Mentorship & Growth - Mentor mid-level engineers on the team; partner with managers on onboarding, leveling, and growth planning. Formally onboard senior new hires. 

  • Design & Documentation - Drive design reviews, ICDs, and post-mortems for your area; push the team toward higher rigor and close process gaps that span teams. 

  • Pre-deployment Preparation - Own the build, configuration, and validation process for mission-ready systems; coordinate hardware/software compatibility, mission readiness, and release cadence with capability and feature teams. 

  • On-site Test & Mission Support - Travel to test sites and support live mission operations (flight tests, range exercises, on-water trials, integration events), including safety checks, system bring-up, and troubleshooting under time-critical constraints. 

  • Hardware/Software Debugging - Diagnose and resolve integration issues across complex autonomy stacks, payload computers, and embedded systems in lab and field environments - including memory, CPU, and timing profiling under operationally-representative loads. 

  • Mission Data & Debrief Support - Capture mission and test data, reproduce issues in simulation, and partner with autonomy capability owners to drive fixes back into the next build. 

  • Continuous Improvement - Build tools and processes to improve integration timelines, test/mission reliability, and team efficiency across deployment cycles. 

  • C2 Interoperability & Standards - Own the interface contracts with C2 providers and drive standards compliance for your area, including implementation and validation against command-and-control standards (e.g., A-GRA, UCI, OMS). 

  • Hiring - Interview candidates, help define the skills bar for open roles in your area, and onboard new engineers into your sub-program. 

  • Travel Requirement - Members of this team typically travel around 10-20% of the year (to different office locations, customer sites, and integration/test events). 

Required Qualifications:

  • BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and/or similar degree, or equivalent practical experience 

  • Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 5 years and a Master's degree; or 4 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience. 

  • Proficiency in C++, with experience developing or integrating real-time or latency-sensitive systems. 

  • Proficiency in Linux-based development and experience working with embedded systems, shell scripting, and system diagnostics. 

  • Familiarity with middleware, pub-sub, or IPC frameworks used in autonomy or robotics systems (e.g., DDS, message buses). 

  • Hands-on experience supporting demos, exercises, or field/mission tests for unmanned or autonomous systems. 

  • Experience with autonomy simulation environments for testing and validation. 

  • Demonstrated experience leading a small technical team or owning a major capability from design through field delivery. 

  • Track record of mentoring engineers and growing technical talent. 

  • Experience authoring or negotiating interface contracts / ICDs with internal or external stakeholders. 

  • Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot and optimize system performance across the full stack. 

  • Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment. 

  • Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance. 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Direct experience supporting unmanned systems (air, maritime, space, ground, or effects/expendables) or similar field test campaigns. 

  • Proficiency in Python for scripting, automation, and analysis. 

  • Experience leading a feature crew, sub-program, or small team in an unmanned systems context. 

  • Experience owning customer- or partner-facing technical relationships (e.g., autopilot vendors, C2 providers, government program offices). 

  • Track record of cross-team improvements (process, rigor, documentation, or developer experience). 

  • Familiarity with autonomy stacks, motion planning, or vehicle-control integration. 

  • Competence in vehicle electronics bring-up (avionics, spacecraft buses, or vessel control), payload computer integration, or hardware-in-the-loop debugging. 

  • Experience with container orchestration (e.g., k3s, k3d, Docker) on embedded or payload compute. 

  • Familiarity with platform control / autopilot stacks (e.g., PX4, ArduPilot, spacecraft flight software, vessel autopilots). 

  • Proficiency in developing automation tools for system testing, logging, and data parsing. 

  • Build-system experience (e.g., Conan, CMake) and CI/CD pipeline familiarity. 

  • Comfortable interfacing with DoD stakeholders during field events or technical reviews. 

  • Experience with C2 standards such as A-GRA, UCI, or OMS. 

  • Familiarity with government-furnished simulation environments (e.g., AFSIM, NGTS) is a plus. 

$187,531 - $281,297 a year
#LI-ED1
#LD

Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
 
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
 
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
 
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know. 
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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