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Drone Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Helsing

Software Engineer, Rust

Washington, DC · On-site

They are seeking a Software Engineer proficient in Rust to work on their Altra drone software platform, focusing on designing and building systems-level software for autonomous capabilities.

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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.

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 ...

WING PVT LTD

Senior Staff Software Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · Hybrid

$328K - $349K/yr

Wing offers drone delivery as a safe, fast, and sustainable solution for last mile logistics ... Wing is looking for a Senior Staff Software Engineer to join our Ground Systems team. This role ...

Helsing

Software Engineer, DevSecOps

Washington, DC

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 ...

Amazon

Sr. Systems Engineer, Prime Air

Seattle, WA

$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

$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 ...

Wing

Senior Staff Software Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$328K - $349K/yr

Wing offers drone delivery as a safe, fast, and sustainable solution for last mile logistics ... Wing is looking for a Senior Staff Software Engineer to join our Ground Systems team. This role ...

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 ...

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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 Aug 2, 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 19% Locum Tenens, 1% Internship, 69% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 6% 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

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
Helsing develops artificial intelligence-enabled capabilities to protect and defend democracies. They are seeking a Software Engineer proficient in Rust to work on their Altra drone software platform, focusing on designing and building systems-level software for autonomous capabilities.
Responsibilities:
• 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
Qualifications:
Required:
• 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
Preferred:
• 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
Company:
Helsing develops artificial intelligence software, autonomous systems, and defense technologies for military and government applications. It is a sub-organization of Helsing. Founded in 2021, the company is headquartered in Munich, DEU, with a team of 1001-5000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

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