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Drones Machine Learning Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Sterling, VA · On-site

$121K - $159K/yr

Your Impact As a Machine Learning Engineer at Dedrone, you'll play a pivotal role in advancing ... drones to other larger or unconventional aircraft. Working within a highly skilled team, you'll ...

Senior Robot Learning Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$144K - $198K/yr

... drones and factories to augmented reality and remote healthcare. ADI fosters a culture that focuses ... Stay abreast of the latest developments in machine learning and robotics from reputable groups.

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Drones Machine Learning information

See salary details

$25.5K

$42.6K

$88K

How much do drones machine learning jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for drones machine learning in the United States is $42,584.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32,500.00 and $46,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Drones Machine Learning vs Drones Data Analyst?

AspectDrones Machine LearningDrones Data Analyst
Required SkillsProgramming, ML algorithms, drone technologyData analysis, visualization, statistical skills
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, tech companies, drone development firmsOperational sites, data centers, research institutions
CertificationsMachine Learning certifications, drone operation licensesData analysis certifications, GIS certifications
Industry UsageDeveloping autonomous drone systems, AI integrationAnalyzing drone data for insights, reporting

While Drones Machine Learning specialists focus on developing AI models and algorithms for drone systems, Drones Data Analysts interpret drone-collected data to generate actionable insights. Both roles require technical skills but serve different stages of drone data utilization and development.

How do professionals in Drones Machine Learning typically collaborate with hardware and flight operations teams?

In Drones Machine Learning roles, collaboration with hardware and flight operations teams is essential to ensure that machine learning models are effectively integrated and tested on physical drones. You will often work closely with hardware engineers to align sensor data collection with model requirements, as well as with flight operations to plan and execute test flights that validate your algorithms in real-world conditions. This cross-disciplinary teamwork helps in troubleshooting issues that arise due to environmental variables and hardware limitations, making communication and flexibility key components of the role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Drones Machine Learning, and why are they important?

To excel in Drones Machine Learning, you need a strong background in computer science, machine learning algorithms, and robotics, often supported by a relevant degree and experience in programming languages such as Python or C++. Familiarity with drone hardware, sensor integration, simulation tools, and frameworks like TensorFlow or OpenCV is typically required, as well as certifications in AI or UAV operation. Strong problem-solving, analytical thinking, and effective communication skills help professionals innovate and collaborate on complex projects. These competencies are essential to develop intelligent drone systems capable of advanced perception, navigation, and autonomous decision-making.

What are Drones Machine Learning specialists?

Drones Machine Learning specialists are professionals who use artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to enable drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) to perform complex tasks autonomously. Their work involves developing algorithms that help drones recognize objects, navigate environments, and analyze data collected from sensors or cameras. These specialists may work in fields like agriculture, surveillance, mapping, or delivery services, improving the capabilities and efficiency of drones. Their expertise is crucial in making drones smarter, safer, and more adaptable to various applications.
Infographic showing various Drones Machine Learning job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, and 99% Full Time. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,584 per year, or $20.5 per hour.
Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Axon

Sterling, VA • On-site

$121K - $159K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Axon rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

15th of 139 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description

Your Impact
As a Machine Learning Engineer at Dedrone, you'll play a pivotal role in advancing airspace security. Leveraging cutting-edge camera systems and machine learning algorithms, you will help us detect, track, and classify diverse flying objects in complex airspace environments. By innovating detection and tracking techniques, you'll be key in developing our systems to respond to evolving airspace threats-from quadcopters and drones to other larger or unconventional aircraft. Working within a highly skilled team, you'll gain access to world-class resources and an extensive, unique dataset, providing a one-of-a-kind opportunity to shape the future of airspace security and computer vision.
What You'll Do

  • Design and implement high-performance C++ software that runs computer vision and tracking algorithms in real time on edge devices.
  • Work closely with computer vision / self-supervised learning engineers to integrate their models into production pipelines, including pre/post-processing, I/O, and system orchestration.
  • Build and optimize multithreaded and parallel processing pipelines for ingesting, synchronizing, and processing data from a networked system of cameras.
  • Implement and tune CUDA kernels and GPU-accelerated components to maximize throughput and minimize latency for inference, tracking, and search.
  • Design robust data structures and memory management strategies for handling large volumes of video, sensor, and metadata streams under tight compute and power constraints.
  • Profile and optimize code using tools such as perf, valgrind, nvprof / Nsight, and similar to identify bottlenecks and improve CPU/GPU utilization.
  • Collaborate with simulation and CV teams to deploy and evaluate algorithms in realistic test scenarios, including fault handling and performance monitoring.
  • Develop clean, well-tested, and well-documented C++ libraries and services that can be reused across products and future airspace applications.
  • Contribute to system-level architecture decisions, including inter-process communication, scheduling, resource allocation, and deployment strategies on edge platforms.


What You Bring

  • 5+ years of professional experience in modern C++ (C++14/17 or later), with strong object-oriented and generic programming skills.
  • Deep understanding of multithreading and concurrency (threads, thread pools, locks, lock-free structures, atomics, futures, async patterns) and experience building robust, concurrent systems.
  • Hands-on experience with parallel processing frameworks or patterns (SIMD, task-based parallelism, GPU offload, or similar) for real-time or high-throughput applications.
  • Strong command of data structures and algorithms, and the ability to choose and implement the right structures for performance-critical, memory-constrained environments.
  • Proven experience with memory management and performance optimization in C++ (stack vs heap, custom allocators, cache-aware design, avoiding fragmentation, RAII, move semantics).
  • Practical experience with CUDA (or similar GPU programming frameworks): writing kernels, managing GPU memory, optimizing for occupancy and bandwidth, and integrating with C++ codebases.
  • Experience integrating machine learning or computer vision inference engines (e.g., TensorRT, OpenVINO, ONNX Runtime) is a strong plus.
  • Familiarity with Linux-based development (build systems like CMake, unit testing frameworks, containerization and/or cross-compilation for edge devices).
  • Strong debugging and profiling skills across CPU and GPU, and a methodical approach to benchmarking and regression testing.
  • Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with a track record of working closely with research or ML teams to move algorithms from prototype to production.
Work Location

This role is based out of our Sterling Office and follows a hybrid schedule. We rely on in-person collaboration and ask that team members work onsite Tuesdays through Fridays, with the flexibility to work remotely on Mondays, unless there is an approved workplace accommodation. We believe that connection fuels innovation, and our in-office culture is designed to foster meaningful teamwork, mentorship, and shared success.

Benefits that Benefit You

  • Competitive salary and 401k with employer match
  • Discretionary paid time off
  • Paid parental leave for all
  • Medical, Dental, Vision plans
  • Fitness Programs
  • Emotional & Mental Wellness support
  • Learning & Development programs
  • And yes, we have snacks in our offices

Benefits listed herein may vary depending on the nature of your employment and the location where you work


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