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Drone Pilot In Command Jobs in Villa Rica, GA (NOW HIRING)

The Problem As Flock scales our Drone as a First Responder programs, ensuring the real-time ... and command-line interfaces across embedded devices and cloud infrastructures. * Proficiency in ...

Design and lead commercial pilots and partnerships between portfolio companies and CRH business ... command of investment analysis and comparable-company benchmarking * Strong interest in and ...

Flight Test Operator

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$74K - $99K/yr

... command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is ... In short, if it involves test, we support it. If you are interested in working in an extremely ...

Showing results 41-50

Drone Pilot In Command information

See Villa Rica, GA salary details

$43.2K

$114.3K

$175.4K

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

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for drone pilot in command in Villa Rica, GA is $114,273.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,300.00 and $135,300.00 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?

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 cities near Villa Rica, GA are hiring for Drone Pilot In Command jobs? Cities near Villa Rica, GA with the most Drone Pilot In Command job openings:
Infographic showing various Drone Pilot In Command job openings in Villa Rica, GA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,273 per year, or $54.9 per hour.

Senior Software QA Engineer, Aviation

Flock

Atlanta, GA • Remote

$150K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago


Job description

The Problem

As Flock scales our Drone as a First Responder programs, ensuring the real-time reliability of our integrated mechatronic systems is critical to supporting first responders in split-second decisions. Validating complex hardware, edge computing, and cloud systems under real-world conditions requires a dedicated test leader who can bridge physical hardware and software interfaces. You will drive QA strategy, execute rigorous software and hardware testing, and set the release gates that ensure high system performance across our fleet.

What You'll Own
  • Lead the end-to-end quality assurance strategy for mechatronic systems, spanning airborne hardware, ground docks, and cloud backends.

  • Author and execute comprehensive test plans, structuring test suites and execution metrics within test management platforms like Qase.

  • Build custom test scripts and modify test automation frameworks using Python and Bash.

  • Perform deep log-level debugging and issue isolation across microcontrollers, physical sensors, and edge devices using Linux CLI tools.

  • Develop automated Hardware-in-the-Loop and Software-in-the-Loop test suites to set formal quality gates for upcoming fleet rollouts.

What This Role is Not
  • This is not a purely theoretical test design position, you will perform hands-on CLI debugging, analyze raw Linux logs, and evaluate real-world aircraft operations.

  • This isn't a passive bug-logging job, you will constructively challenge architectural designs with data and establish formal testing gates for major hardware releases.

What You Bring
  • Systems engineering and QA experience on safety-critical mechatronic systems such as robotics, autonomous vehicles, UAVs, or aerospace platforms.

  • Mastery of Linux environments, log-level debugging, and command-line interfaces across embedded devices and cloud infrastructures.

  • Proficiency in Python or Bash for authoring custom testing scripts and expanding test automation.

  • Demonstrated skill in structuring test plans, authoring detailed test cases, and managing execution metrics in tools like Qase.

  • Technical familiarity with serial communications such as CAN and UART, computer vision, edge computing, and live data streaming.

  • Experience with aviation standards, FAA Part 107 certification, Gazebo simulation, or cloud tools like AWS is a plus.

Compensation

In this role, you'll receive a starting salary between $150,000 and $180,000 as well as Flock Stock Options. Base salary is determined by job-related experience, education/training, as well as market indicators. Your recruiter will discuss this in depth with you during our first chat.

Why Flock 💚

Every community deserves to be safe. Flock builds the technology that makes that real: last year we supported over 1 million criminal investigations and helped locate more than 10,000 missing people. We're 1,700 people building the impossible with over $1B in funding, and the expectations are high on purpose. If you want a role where the stakes are real and the pace matches, this is it.

📍Some problems get solved faster in the same room, so we prioritize candidates in Atlanta and Boston. Hub-based roles mean real in-person time with your coworkers. Remote roles exist, and when a posting is open to remote work, it says so.

🌟 the impossible takes every kind of mind. Flock is an equal opportunity employer, and we know the best solutions come from diverse perspectives, experiences, and skills working together with mutual respect. Everyone is welcome to apply. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, email recruiting@flocksafety.com; your information stays confidential and is used only to arrange the right accommodation for your interviews.

💰 On compensation: we pay fairly for the work. Base salary is determined by job-related experience, education, training, and market indicators. The range in this posting covers base salary only and doesn't include equity, sales bonus plans where applicable, or benefits. The range may be adjusted over time, and this posting may span more than one career level.

📣 One last thing: all legitimate communication from Flock comes from an email ending in @flocksafety.com or noreply@ashbyhq.com. We never make offers through messaging apps or third parties, and we never request payment or sensitive personal information during hiring. If you encounter suspicious outreach about a Flock role, report it to recruiting@flocksafety.com.

Compensation Range: $150K - $180K