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Drone Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Software Engineer, QGC# Software Engineer, QGCSLC, UT 84115## Description## **Position Summary ... MAVLink & Drone Communication*** Implement and debug MAVLink message handling, routing, and ...

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 ...

Drone Data Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$109K - $131K/yr

Drone Data Engineer Job Location: Houston, Tx Job Type: Contract * Drone Data Execution Engineer Skydio * Drone Operations Data Execution * Plan execute and optimize drone missions for inspection ...

We design and manufacture drone-in-a-box systems that automate repetitive drone operations, taking ... engineer to help build and maintain the software powering our drone operations platform. You'll ...

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 ...

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 ...

* Work directly alongside senior engineers and mentors to contribute to our Wi‑Fi and cellular ... Integrate radio hardware into our drone systems. * Write software across the Linux user space and ...

Senior Staff Software Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · Hybrid

$144K - $189K/yr

Wing is looking for a Senior Staff Software Engineer to join our Ground Systems team. This role ... drone delivery network. Thriving on systemic complexity, you will leverage deep expertise in ...

Senior Software Engineer

Aberdeen, MD · On-site

$150 - $180/hr

UAV/drone platforms, motors, and control systems Requirements Requirements: MUST HAVE * Senior: Minimum of ten (10) years related experience * Experience with full-lifecycle software engineering ...

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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 23, 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?

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.
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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:

Infographic showing various Drone Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $147,524 per year, or $70.9 per hour.

Software Engineer, DevSecOps Software Washington, DC

helsing.ai

Washington, DC • On-site

$100 - $130/hr

Other

Medical, PTO

Posted 5 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 join the Platform Engineering team as a security-focused engineer responsible for embedding security into every layer of our developer platform and software delivery pipeline. You will own the security posture of our development environment — ensuring CMMC Level 2 compliance, hardening our software supply chain, and implementing the controls required for product teams to achieve ATO against NIST and other cybersecurity frameworks. You will work closely with platform and product engineers to build secure CI/CD pipelines, enforce policy-as-code, and maintain the shared infrastructure that all teams depend on. This role combines hands‑on engineering with deep security expertise: you are not just auditing compliance, you are building the systems that make compliance automatic.

The day-to-day
  • Deploying, updating, and securing Kubernetes workloads through ArgoCD and GitOps workflows
  • Building and maintaining secure CI/CD pipelines that enforce policy, scan for vulnerabilities, and produce auditable build artifacts
  • Maintaining and hardening shared services (GitLab, Artifactory, container registries) that the entire organization depends on
  • Implementing and enforcing security controls aligned with CMMC L2, NIST 800-171, and other frameworks required for ATO
  • Securing the software supply chain: image signing, SBOM generation, dependency scanning, and provenance tracking
  • Conducting threat modeling to surface architectural risks before they become incidents
  • Detecting, investigating, and responding to security incidents across infrastructure and applications
  • Working with product teams to ensure their workloads meet security and compliance requirements before and after deployment
  • Supporting the secure hosting of ML/AI workloads, including model training environments and sensitive data handling
You should apply if you
  • Have 5+ years of experience in DevSecOps, security engineering, or infrastructure engineering with a security focus
  • Have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Cybersecurity, or a related field
  • Have deep experience with Kubernetes deployment, networking, RBAC, pod and cluster security, and operational troubleshooting
  • Are proficient with ArgoCD or similar GitOps tooling for managing Kubernetes workloads at scale
  • Have strong experience writing and maintaining Helm charts
  • Are proficient in Python and Bash, with experience automating security and compliance workflows
  • Understand software supply chain security, including container image hardening, FIPS-validated cryptography, vulnerability scanning, SBOM, and artifact signing
  • Have hands‑on experience implementing security controls from frameworks like NIST 800-171, NIST 800-53, or CMMC
  • Are comfortable with CI/CD pipeline design, particularly building in security gates, policy-as-code, and automated compliance checks
  • Have working knowledge of AWS and can collaborate effectively on infrastructure decisions
  • Are a U.S. citizen eligible to obtain a security clearance
Nice to have
  • Experience with Go or other systems programming languages
  • Experience shepherding systems through an ATO process
  • Familiarity with DISA STIGs and the Risk Management Framework (RMF)
  • Familiarity with Terraform and infrastructure-as-code for cloud resources
  • Experience with Nix or NixOS
  • Experience with SIEM platforms (e.g., Elastic) and security monitoring/incident response
  • Experience securing and deploying ML/AI workloads — GPU environments, training pipelines, data classification
  • Red teaming or penetration testing experience
  • Certifications such as CKS, Security+, or CISSP
  • Experience in defense, intelligence, or other regulated environments
Join Helsing and work with world‑leading experts in their fields 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.

Equal Opportunity Employment

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.

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