ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Drone Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Neros Technologies

Firmware Test Engineer

Torrance, CA · On-site

$145K - $204K/yr

We're hiring engineers, operators, and builders who want to move fast, take on extreme ownership ... Design, develop, and maintain test suites to validate the Neros drone & ground control software

GliaCell Technologies

Senior Software Engineer

Aurora, CO · On-site

$170K - $260K/yr

Are you a Senior 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 ...

Performance Drone Works

Senior Software Engineer

Denver, CO · On-site

$155K - $195K/yr

Company Overview Performance Drone Works (PDW) is building the next generation of tactical robotic ... What You'll Do Our Senior Software Engineer will: * Lead design and implementation of significant ...

GliaCell Technologies

Principal Software Engineer

Aurora, CO · On-site

$190K - $280K/yr

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

GliaCell Technologies

Senior Software Engineer

Annapolis, MD · On-site

$170K - $260K/yr

Are you a Senior 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 ...

GliaCell Technologies

Senior Software Engineer

Columbia, MD · On-site

$170K - $260K/yr

Are you a Senior 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 ...

Zetier

Principal CNO Software Engineer

State College, PA

$132K - $177K/yr

Development on embedded platforms (uBoot, drone firmware, IOT) * Reverse engineering experience ... Developed software on mobile platforms (Android, iOS) * Successfully led small cross-domain ...

GliaCell Technologies

Senior Software Engineer

Annapolis, MD · On-site

$180K - $260K/yr

Are you a Senior 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 ...

Zetier

Principal CNO Software Engineer

State College, PA · On-site

$132K - $177K/yr

Development on embedded platforms (uBoot, drone firmware, IOT) * Reverse engineering experience ... Developed software on mobile platforms (Android, iOS) * Successfully led small cross-domain ...

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 ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsDrone Software Engineer Jobs

Drone Software Engineer information

See salary details

$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.

Firmware Test Engineer

Neros Technologies

Torrance, CA • On-site

$145K - $204K/yr

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

Who we are
Neros is a defense technology company rebuilding America's drone industrial base. We design and manufacture high-performance unmanned systems that are tested in combat, iterated at startup speed, and built at massive scale. Our team culture is fast, hands-on, and obsessed with closing the gap between design and deployment.
As drones transform the character of warfare, Neros is delivering the systems the West needs to compete on the modern battlefield and deter the adversaries of democracy. We're hiring engineers, operators, and builders who want to move fast, take on extreme ownership, and get capability into the hands of warfighters in months, not years.
What you will be doing
  • Automated Test Development: Design, develop, and maintain test suites to validate the Neros drone & ground control software
  • Test Framework Development: Build and enhance automated testing frameworks and tools that facilitate automated testing
  • CI/CD Integration: Integrate automated tests into CI/CD pipelines to enable continuous testing of software
  • Ensure Build Stability: Monitor the test results and ensure the stability of builds before releases
  • Quality Assurance: Contribute to maintaining high-quality software by ensuring comprehensive test coverage, and enforcing testing best practices
  • Documentation: Create and maintain documentation related to automated test cases, test plans, and test results

You should have the following
  • 5+ years of software testing with a focus on embedded systems and HIL testing
  • Hands-on experience building, setting up HIL test systems
  • Strong development skills with a scripting language (e.g. Python) for test automation
  • Familiarity with embedded communication protocols - - e.g. I2C, SPI, UART, Ethernet
  • Experience with a CI/CD tools - Gitlab CI, Jenkins
  • Experience using Git including development workflows
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment

Nice to have
  • Experience with C/C++ is a plus
  • Experience with Bazel, Cmake, make or another embedded build system
  • Experience testing RF products
  • Experience with FPV Drone software including Betaflight, ExpressLRS, PX4, Ardupilot, etc.

US Salary Range
$145,500 - $204,000 USD
The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are considered part of Neros' total compensation package.
We're an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all applicants without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Apply