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Drone Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Helsing

Software Engineer, Rust

Washington, DC · On-site

We build Altra, an AI-powered drone software platform, and HX-2, our autonomous drone. We are ... Collaborating with ML engineers to integrate AI/ML pipelines into the broader system * Working ...

Helsing

Software Engineer, Rust

Washington, DC · On-site +1

We build Altra, an AI-powered drone software platform, and HX-2, our autonomous drone. We are ... Collaborating with ML engineers to integrate AI/ML pipelines into the broader system * Working ...

Tycho AI, Inc

Senior Software Engineer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$133K - $176K/yr

About the Role We are looking for experienced energetic software engineers to join our growing team ... Experience with Drone software (such as Ardupilot, Betaflight). * Familiarity with defense software ...

XTEND

Embedded Software Engineer

Tampa, FL · On-site

$124K - $163K/yr

Description XTEND Tampa is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer to support the development, integration, and production of autonomous drone systems. This role focuses on hands-on embedded software ...

ZeroMark

General Software Engineer

New York, NY · On-site

About Us ZeroMark builds AI-driven counter-drone systems that actually work in combat. No ... Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.

Parsons Corporation

Mid Software Engineer

Aberdeen, MD · On-site

$103K - $181K/yr

Parsons is seeking an Mid Software Engineer to support our cutting-edge Drone Armor counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) program. The Software Engineer will develop, test, and maintain software in ...

Helsing

Software Engineer, DevSecOps

Washington, DC · On-site

We build Altra, an AI-powered drone software platform, and HX-2, our autonomous drone. We are ... The role You will join the Platform Engineering team as a security-focused engineer responsible for ...

Performance Drone Works

Software Engineer

Denver, CO · On-site

$115K - $155K/yr

Company Overview Performance Drone Works (PDW) is building the next generation of tactical robotic ... What You'll Do Our Software Engineer will: * Design, implement, and test software features across ...

Helsing

Software Engineer, DevSecOps

Washington, DC · On-site

We build Altra, an AI-powered drone software platform, and HX-2, our autonomous drone. We are ... The role You will join the Platform Engineering team as a security-focused engineer responsible for ...

Bestgate Engineering

UAV Software Engineer (C#)

They are looking for a UAV Software Engineer to design and develop ground control software and on-board communications systems for drone platforms. Responsibilities : • help design, develop and ...

Bestgate Engineering

UAV Software Engineer (C#)

... drone platforms. Responsibilities : • help design, develop and deploy solutions • working on ... Bestgate Engineering provide software and system engineering solutions to aerospace industries ...

Amazon

Sr. Systems Engineer, Prime Air

Seattle, WA · On-site

$118K - $162K/yr

Amazon Prime Air (PA) is seeking a Sr Systems Engineer to oversee the development hardware and software integration within our ultra-fast drone delivery operations. This role will be responsible for ...

Amazon

Sr. Systems Engineer, Prime Air

Seattle, WA · On-site

$118K - $162K/yr

Amazon Prime Air (PA) is seeking a Sr Systems Engineer to oversee the development hardware and software integration within our ultra-fast drone delivery operations. This role will be responsible for ...

Seneca

Software Engineer (iOS)

Sausalito, CA · On-site

$100K - $170K/yr

... drone systems. This is a mission-critical role where your work directly translates our backend ... software engineering practices. * Experience with Git and standard development workflows (code ...

Belcan, LLC

Software Engineer

San Luis Obispo, CA · On-site

$104K - $145K/yr

We are seeking a highly motivated Software Engineer with a focus on embedded software and a strong background in drone/unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), software development, testing and support. The ...

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All JobsDrone Software Engineer Jobs

Drone Software Engineer information

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$63.5K

$147.5K

$205.5K

How much do drone software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for drone software engineer in the United States is $147,524.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,000.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Drone Software Engineer job?

A Drone Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains the software that controls drones, including flight control algorithms, navigation systems, and communication protocols. They work with programming languages like C++, Python, and ROS to ensure autonomous or semi-autonomous drone operations. Their role may also involve integrating sensors, optimizing performance, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.

Is drone engineering a good career?

Drone software engineering is a growing field that involves developing control systems, navigation algorithms, and data processing for unmanned aerial vehicles. It offers opportunities in industries such as agriculture, surveillance, and delivery services, often requiring skills in programming, robotics, and systems integration. The field can provide a stable career with increasing demand as drone technology advances.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

A drone software engineer can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills in programming, and working for top tech companies or in specialized industries like defense or aerospace. High salaries often include bonuses, stock options, and other incentives for senior-level roles or those with unique expertise in drone systems and software development.

How to become a drone software engineer?

To become a drone software engineer, you typically need a bachelor's degree in computer science, robotics, or a related field, along with experience in programming languages such as C++ or Python. Knowledge of embedded systems, drone hardware, and flight control algorithms is essential, and familiarity with development tools like ROS or PX4 can be beneficial. Gaining hands-on experience through internships or personal projects involving drone software development can also improve job prospects.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Drone Software Engineer?

Drone Software Engineers typically spend their days designing, developing, testing, and maintaining software that enables drones to perform tasks such as flight control, navigation, and data processing. You might work on integrating sensors, optimizing real-time algorithms, or troubleshooting issues during test flights. Collaboration with hardware engineers, data analysts, and QA testers is common to ensure the seamless operation of the drone systems. You may also participate in code reviews, contribute to project planning, and stay updated with the latest advancements in drone technology to continuously improve software performance.

How much does a drone engineer make?

A drone software engineer's salary typically ranges from $70,000 to $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and specific skills such as programming, robotics, or sensor integration. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced engineers with specialized knowledge can earn higher salaries, especially in industries like defense, agriculture, or delivery services.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Drone Software Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Drone Software Engineer, you need expertise in software development, robotics, embedded systems, and a solid background in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with programming languages such as C++, Python, ROS (Robot Operating System), and tools for flight control or simulation is often required, along with knowledge of relevant industry certifications like Part 107 (for commercial drone operations). Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication skills help you collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and manage complex projects. These qualifications are essential for developing robust, reliable drone software that operates safely and efficiently in real-world environments.

More about Drone Software Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Drone Software Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Drone Software Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Drone Software Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Drone Software Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Drone Software Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Drone Software Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Drone Software Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Drone Software Engineer jobs are:
Drone Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drone Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 8% Locum Tenens, 83% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,524 per year, or $70.9 per hour.

Software Engineer, Rust

Helsing

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Who we are
Helsing develops artificial intelligence-enabled capabilities to protect and defend democracies. We build Altra, an AI-powered drone software platform, and HX-2, our autonomous drone. We are growing our US operations, cultivating an ambitious and committed team of mission-driven professionals to apply their skills to solve challenging problems.
The role
You will work on Altra, Helsing's drone software platform, primarily written in Rust. You will design and build systems-level software that powers autonomous capabilities in challenging operational environments. You don't need to be a drone expert - but you should be a strong systems programmer who thrives in low-latency, high-reliability environments and is excited to apply those skills to a mission-critical product.
The day-to-day
  • Designing, building, and maintaining Rust services across the Altra platform
  • Collaborating with ML engineers to integrate AI/ML pipelines into the broader system
  • Working across the stack, from networking and protocol implementation to application-level services
  • Contributing to increasingly advanced autonomy features
  • Developing and testing software using simulation environments
  • Writing software that must perform reliably on resource-constrained platforms under real-world constraints
You should apply if you
  • Have 5+ years of experience in systems-level software engineering
  • Have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field
  • Are proficient in Rust, or have strong experience in C++ or another systems-level compiled language with a willingness to work in Rust daily
  • Have experience building distributed systems, particularly in unreliable or constrained network environments
  • Have worked with real-time or low-latency systems where performance and reliability are critical
  • Have experience with at least one or two areas relevant to our stack: video streaming, pub/sub messaging, sensor data processing, embedded systems, protocol design, or robotics
  • Have designed or built systems that interface with AI/ML pipelines - streaming data to models, handling inference outputs, managing pipeline orchestration
  • Are familiar with Python, particularly for interfacing with ML/AI components
  • Are a U.S. citizen eligible to obtain a security clearance
Nice to have
  • Direct experience with Rust in production systems
  • Background in robotics, autonomous vehicles, or drone systems
  • Experience with sensor fusion or multi-sensor data processing
  • Familiarity with swarming, multi-agent systems, or decentralized coordination algorithms
  • Experience with constrained or embedded platforms
  • Familiarity with Nix or NixOS for reproducible builds and development environments
  • Experience with SITL/HITL (Software/Hardware-In-The-Loop) simulation and testing frameworks for autonomous systems
  • Experience with RF communications, telemetry, or datalink systems
  • Background in defense or national security

Join Helsing and work with world-leading experts in their fields
  • Helsing's work is important. You'll be directly contributing to the protection of democratic countries while balancing both ethical and geopolitical concerns
  • The work is unique. We operate in a domain that has highly unusual technical requirements and constraints, and where robustness, safety, and ethical considerations are vital. You will face unique Engineering and AI challenges that make a meaningful impact in the world
  • Our work frequently takes us right up to the state of the art in technical innovation, be it reinforcement learning, distributed systems, generative AI, or deployment infrastructure. The defense industry is entering the most exciting phase of the technological development curve. Advances in our field of world are not incremental: Helsing is part of, and often leading, historic leaps forward
  • In our domain, success is a matter of order-of-magnitude improvements and novel capabilities. This means we take bets, aim high, and focus on big opportunities. Despite being a relatively young company, Helsing has already been selected for multiple significant government contracts
  • We actively encourage healthy, proactive, and diverse debate internally about what we do and how we choose to do it. Teams and individual engineers are trusted (and encouraged) to practice responsible autonomy and critical thinking, and to focus on outcomes, not conformity. At Helsing you will have a say in how we (and you!) work, the opportunity to engage on what does and doesn't work, and to take ownership of aspects of our culture that you care deeply about
What we offer
  • A focus on outcomes, not time-tracking
  • A generous compensation and benefits package (in addition to base salary) that includes, but may not be limited to, insurance coverage (medical and travel), flexible paid time off, paid holidays, and remote and/or hybrid work available depending on position. All compensation and benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of the underlying plans or programs, as applicable and as may be amended, terminated or superseded from time to time.

Helsing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetics, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Please do not submit personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, data concerning your health, or data concerning your sexual orientation.
Helsing's Candidate Privacy and Confidentiality Regime can be found here.

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