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Drone Testing Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Mach Industries

Field Drone Technician

Huntington Beach, CA · On-site

$20.75 - $28.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

... testing, and mission-critical operations. This role executes established procedures and ... Stay current with evolving drone technologies, FAA rule changes, and industry trends. Required ...

Scout AI

Drone Operator

Paso Robles, CA · On-site

$18.25 - $20.25/hr

Plan, set up, and execute drone flight operations in support of autonomy testing and mission rehearsals * Pilot uncrewed aerial systems manually and supervise autonomous flight, intervening safely ...

LMI

Drone Pilot - Clearance Required

Fort Bragg, CA · On-site

$103K - $179K/yr

Overview LMI is seeking a Drone Pilot /Autonomy Test Operator to support a Department of War ... Autonomy testing and human-machine teaming * Rapid capability iteration with engineers and ...

LMI

Drone Pilot - Clearance Required

Fort Bragg, CA

$103K - $179K/yr

Overview LMI is seeking a Drone Pilot /Autonomy Test Operator to support a Department of War ... Autonomy testing and human-machine teaming * Rapid capability iteration with engineers and ...

LMI

Drone Pilot - Clearance Required

Fort Bragg, CA · On-site

$103K - $179K/yr

LMI is seeking a Drone Pilot /Autonomy Test Operator to support a Department of War mission partner ... Autonomy testing and human-machine teaming * Rapid capability iteration with engineers and ...

Neros Technologies

FPV Technician

Torrance, CA · On-site

$70K - $91K/yr

... our drone fleet and equipment. Responsibilities R&D Equipment * Build, repair, and maintain FPV drones and R&D test articles * Support the maintenance and improvement of flight testing tools ...

Neros Technologies

FPV Technician

Torrance, CA

$70K - $91K/yr

... our drone fleet and equipment. Responsibilities R&D Equipment * Build, repair, and maintain FPV drones and R&D test articles * Support the maintenance and improvement of flight testing tools ...

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All JobsDrone Testing JobsDrone Testing Jobs in California

Drone Testing information

See California salary details

$58.7K

$69.9K

$82.4K

How much do drone testing jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for drone testing in California is $69,905.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $64,100.00 and $74,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a drone testing do?

A typical day in Drone Testing involves preparing drones for evaluation, conducting flight tests, and meticulously recording performance data to assess functionality and safety. You’ll often work outdoors at specialized test sites and closely collaborate with engineers, software developers, and quality assurance teams to troubleshoot issues or recommend improvements. The role requires adaptability, as testing conditions and objectives may change based on project needs. You'll also be expected to interpret test results, write detailed reports, and participate in team meetings to discuss findings and plan next steps.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in drone testing, and why are they important?

To thrive in Drone Testing, a strong understanding of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems, electronics, and aerodynamics is essential, often supported by a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with flight control software, data analysis tools, and FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification is typically required. Excellent attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills set top candidates apart. These competencies ensure accurate assessment, safe operations, and contribute to both technical innovation and team collaboration in the development and refinement of drone technologies.

What is a drone testing?

A Drone Testing job involves evaluating drones for performance, safety, and reliability. Testers conduct flight tests, analyze data, and identify potential issues in hardware or software. They work with engineers to improve drone functionality and ensure compliance with regulations. This role requires knowledge of drone technology, troubleshooting skills, and sometimes certification depending on industry requirements.

What are the most commonly searched types of Drone Testing jobs in California?

The most popular types of Drone Testing jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Drone Testing jobs in California?

For Drone Testing jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Drone Testing jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Drone Testing jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Drone Testing jobs?

Cities in California with the most Drone Testing job openings:

Drone Testing jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drone Testing job openings in California 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 $69,905 per year, or $33.6 per hour.

Software Integration & Test Engineering Manager I

Inspired Flight Technologies, Inc

San Luis Obispo, CA • On-site

$140K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

Company Description
Inspired Flight's Purpose Statement says it all - Conserving resources, creating jobs, and saving lives by innovating the American drone manufacturing. Founded in San Luis Obispo, California our entirely U.S. based team designs, builds and supports highly capable and flexible drone platforms for both commercial and government customers.
Our purpose driven team exemplifies our Core Values. We are:
Collaborative: We harness the collective intelligence and energy of our team to surpass individual potentials and achieve shared goals.
Resilient: We approach obstacles with flexibility and creativity, supporting one another to stay focused, resourceful, and determined.
Diverse: We place a high value in people of all heritages, genders, sexual orientations, and points of view to spark innovation and solutions, enriching our work environment and outputs.
Continuously Improving: We are committed to ongoing learning and innovation by always seeking ways to enhance our processes, products, and personal expertise.
Underlying all of this is our deeply rooted belief that the cutting-edge aerial tools we create are advancing an industry that is good for people, good for our planet and good for the United States of America.
Location
This is an in-office position for hire at Inspired Flight's HQ in San Luis Obispo, CA.
Job Description
Inspired Flight is seeking a talented and experienced Engineering Manager to join our team. An Engineering Manager is a specialized role responsible for leading a team that focuses on software development, integration of payloads, and running validation and reliability testing for complex hardware and software systems.
This position is at the core of the engineering department at Inspired Flight and will be part of a rapidly growing company in the growing UAV industry.
Typical responsibilities:
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 4-8 software and test engineers.
  • Provide technical guidance on system architecture and code.
  • Champion best practices in software engineering, drone testing, and DevOps.
  • Manage software development lifecycle from requirements through deployment.
  • Work with product/hardware engineering teams to define integration & test requirements.
  • Interface with Product and Program Management on scope, schedules, and risk communication.

You'll excel in this role if you have:
  • Experience with UAS/drone systems.
  • Experience in working with developing & testing software on hardware systems.
  • Proficiency in Android app development, AWS, C++, Java, C#.
  • Experienced in leading front end web development
  • Familiarity with QGC, ArduPilot, PX4, and MavLink.
  • Strong technical leadership and decision-making abilities.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • UAV Pilot experience and/or a FAA Part 107 License.

Education/Experience Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent discipline.
  • 7+ years experience, with at least 2 years leadership experience.
  • Experience in a related field, preferably: UAS, aviation, aerospace, robotics, autonomy or defense industry.

Salary & Benefits Offered
  • $140,000-$170,000 DOE
  • Unlimited Paid Time Off
  • World Class Health, Dental, Vision Insurance Plan
  • 401k w/ 6% company match
  • Quarterly Team Bonus Plan

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may need to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Inspired Flight is deeply committed to building a workplace where inclusion is not only valued, but prioritized. We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer that seeks to create a welcoming and diverse environment. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, or expression, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, neurodiversity, age, or veteran status, or any other non-merit based or legally protected grounds.
The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.

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