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Drone Software Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

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, 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 ...

Actalent

Software Engineer

North Bethesda, MD · On-site

Job Title: Software Engineer - Embedded Systems and Robotics This role focuses on designing ... The position offers the opportunity to work with cutting-edge military-grade autonomous drone ...

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 ...

Actalent

Software Engineer

North Bethesda, MD · On-site

Job Title: Software Engineer - Embedded Systems and Robotics This role focuses on designing ... The position offers the opportunity to work with cutting-edge military-grade autonomous drone ...

GliaCell Technologies

Software Engineer

Annapolis, MD · On-site

$50 - $120/hr

Are you a Software Engineer who is ready for anew challengethat willlaunch your careerto the next ... Tired of being treated like a company drone? * Tired of promised adventures during the hiring phase ...

GliaCell Technologies

Principal Software Engineer

Columbia, MD · On-site

$134K - $179K/yr

If you want to be a drone, this isn't the place for you. We Make It Happen! GliaCell Technologies focuses on Software & System Engineering in Enterprise and Cyber Security solution spaces. We excel ...

GliaCell Technologies

Principal Software Engineer

Columbia, MD · On-site

$134K - $179K/yr

If you want to be a drone, this isn't the place for you. We Make It Happen! GliaCell Technologies focuses on Software & System Engineering in Enterprise and Cyber Security solution spaces. We excel ...

GliaCell Technologies

Software Engineer

Annapolis, MD · On-site

$50K - $120K/yr

Are you a Software Engineer who is ready for a new challenge that will launch your career to the ... Tired of being treated like a company drone? * Tired of promised adventures during the hiring phase ...

GliaCell Technologies

Cloud Software Engineer

Annapolis, MD · On-site

$180K - $230K/yr

If you want to be a drone, this isn't the place for you. We Make It Happen! GliaCell Technologies focuses on Software & System Engineering in Enterprise and Cyber Security solution spaces. We excel ...

GliaCell Technologies

Junior Software Engineer

Annapolis, MD · On-site

$50K - $120K/yr

Are you a Junior Software Engineer who is ready for a new challenge that will launch your career to ... Tired of being treated like a company drone? * Tired of promised adventures during the hiring phase ...

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All JobsDrone Software Engineer JobsDrone Software Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Drone Software Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$71.9K

$167.1K

$232.8K

How much do drone software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for drone software engineer in Washington, DC is $167,098.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $135,900.00 and $196,000.00 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 Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Drone Software Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:

What are popular job titles related to Drone Software Engineer jobs in Washington, DC?

For Drone Software Engineer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Drone Software Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Drone Software Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:

Drone Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drone Software Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 50% In-person, and 50% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $167,098 per year, or $80.3 per hour.

Software Engineer, Rust Software Washington, DC

helsing.ai

Washington, DC • On-site

$100 - $130/hr

Other

Medical, PTO

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

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 do not 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
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.

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