ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Drone Software Engineer Jobs in Rhode Island (NOW HIRING)

All JobsDrone Software Engineer JobsDrone Software Engineer Jobs in Rhode Island

Drone Software Engineer information

See Rhode Island salary details

$62.2K

$144.5K

$201.2K

How much do drone software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for drone software engineer in Rhode Island is $144,471.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $117,500.00 and $169,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a drone software engineer?

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.

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.

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.

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 most commonly searched types of Drone Software Engineer jobs in Rhode Island?

The most popular types of Drone Software Engineer jobs in Rhode Island are:

What are popular job titles related to Drone Software Engineer jobs in Rhode Island?

For Drone Software Engineer jobs in Rhode Island, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Drone Software Engineer jobs in Rhode Island look for?

The top searched job categories for Drone Software Engineer jobs in Rhode Island are:

What cities in Rhode Island are hiring for Drone Software Engineer jobs?

Cities in Rhode Island with the most Drone Software Engineer job openings:

Drone Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drone Software Engineer job openings in Rhode Island as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $144,471 per year, or $69.5 per hour.

Advanced DevSecOps Engineer

General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc

Middletown, RI • On-site

$118K - $138K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Re-posted 24 days ago

General Dynamics Mission Systems rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 31 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

114th of 246 rated software companies

Job description

Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, or related Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics field, plus a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree, plus 3 years relevant experience.
CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS:: Department of Defense active Secret security clearance is required at time of hire. Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.
Responsibilities for this Position
We are looking for a DevSecOps Engineer to join on Middletown, RI team.
What You'll Experience:
  • Build and maintain efficient CI/CD pipelines with tools like Bamboo and Drone.
  • Work with container technologies such as Docker and Podman to create seamless deployment strategies.
  • Collaborate with development teams to enhance build, test, and deployment processes.
  • Monitor and ensure the health, performance, and security of systems and pipelines.
  • Be part of a forward-thinking team, solving complex challenges with automation and innovation.

What You Bring to the Table:
  • 5-10 years of experience in DevOps, SRE, or infrastructure engineering roles.
  • Expertise in Bash and Python scripting, Docker/Podman, and Linux administration.
  • Hands-on experience with CI/CD tools like Bamboo and Drone.
  • Solid knowledge of Git, Bitbucket, and GitLab, including branching strategies and workflows.
  • Familiarity with networking basics (DNS, firewalls, load balancing, etc.).

What Sets You Apart:
  • Experience with tools like Terraform, Ansible, or other infrastructure-as-code platforms.
  • Expertise in monitoring tools like Prometheus, Grafana, or ELK.
  • Knowledge of GitOps workflows and secrets management tools (Vault, sealed secrets).
  • Experience working in security-sensitive or regulated environments.
  • Identifies opportunities to apply AI for continuous improvement and innovation.

Our Commitment to You:
  • An exciting career path with opportunities for continuous learning and development.
  • Research oriented work, alongside award winning teams developing practical solutions for our nation's security
  • Flexible schedules with every other Friday off work, if desired (9/80 schedule)
  • Competitive benefits, including 401k matching, flex time off, paid parental leave, healthcare benefits, health & wellness programs, employee resource and social groups, and more
  • See more at gdmissionsystems.com/careers/why-work-for-us/benefits

Workplace Options:
This position is fully onsite in Middletown, RI.
#CJ2
Salary Note
This estimate represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors (geographic location, etc.). Actual pay may vary. This job posting will remain open until the position is filled.
Combined Salary Range
USD $118,570.00 - USD $138,065.00 /Yr.
Company Overview
General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation. With a global team of 12,000+ top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defense and scientific arenas. Given the nature of our work and who we are, we value trust, honesty, alignment and transparency. We offer highly competitive benefits and pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose. You will also enjoy a flexible work environment where contributions are recognized and rewarded. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we invite you to join our high-performance team!
Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans

What General Dynamics Mission Systems employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply