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Drones Pilot Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Nokturnal AI

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UAS Pilot Engineer

Clearwater, FL · On-site

$132K - $198K/yr

This role is much more than flying drones. You'll work directly with engineers, technicians, and ... What You'll Do As a UAS Pilot, you'll play a key role in both flight operations and product ...

FOCUSPOINT

Drone Pilot

Brentwood, TN · On-site

Drone Pilot Location: Middle TN Travel: ~10 percent Compensation: Based on experience Hiring ... Demonstrated experience operating drones in industrial, infrastructure, or high‑complexity ...

Live Events

Drone Pilot

New Castle, PA

Track and maintain accountability for drones and support equipment. * Scan, log, and manage assets ... Operate as pilot-in-command or supporting pilot during drone light shows. * Troubleshoot and ...

Bees360 Inc

1099 Drone Pilot - Laredo,TX

Katy, TX · Remote

Experience in operating drones, with all levels of expertise welcome to apply. * Proficient in ... In Kansas, if the new pilot completes 25 credits within 30 days, both the referrer and the new ...

FOCUSPOINT

Drone Pilot - 3rd Shift

Nashville, TN · On-site

Drone Pilot - 3rd Shift Location: Brentwood, TN Shift: Monday-Friday, 12a-8a Travel: ~10 percent ... Proven experience operating drones in industrial or complex environments * Strong understanding of ...

Tex-Air Drone

Drone Pilot & Data Specialist

Amarillo, TX · On-site

$30K - $40K/yr

As a Drone Pilot & Data Specialist , you will split your time between operating commercial drones in the field and managing, processing, and delivering technical data at a workstation. We need ...

San Antonio Spurs

Drone Pilot

Midland, TX · On-site

FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required ... Experience operating drones in construction, industrial, infrastructure, or commercial environments ...

Aerotek

Drone Pilot / Drone Operator

Huntsville, AL

$200K/yr

Demonstrated proficiency as an External Pilot for Group 3 aircraft (or extensive experience piloting other drones) * Hands‑on experience with ground station software and mission‑planning tools.

FOCUSPOINT

Drone Pilot - Weekend Shift

Brentwood, TN · On-site

Drone Pilot Location: Middle TN Worksite: In office Travel: ~10 percent Compensation: Based on ... Demonstrated experience operating drones in industrial, infrastructure, or high‑complexity ...

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Drones Pilot information

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$49.5K

$130.9K

$201K

How much do drones pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for drones pilot in the United States is $130,916.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,000.00 and $155,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do drones pilots earn?

Drones pilots typically earn between $15 and $50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of the drone operations. Full-time commercial drone pilots with certifications and specialized skills can earn annual salaries ranging from $40,000 to over $100,000. Earnings may also vary based on whether they work freelance or for a company, and the industry they serve such as filmmaking, surveying, or inspection services.

How much do drones pilots get?

Drones pilots typically earn between $15 and $50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of the tasks. Salaries can range from around $30,000 to over $80,000 annually for full-time positions, especially for commercial or specialized drone operations. Certifications and skills in aerial photography, surveying, or inspection can influence earning potential.

Is there a demand for drones pilots?

The demand for drone pilots is growing across industries such as photography, agriculture, construction, and inspection services. Certified pilots with skills in operating various drone models and understanding regulations are increasingly sought after as drone technology becomes more integrated into business operations.

What are popular job titles related to Drones Pilot jobs?

For Drones Pilot jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Drones Pilot job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,916 per year, or $62.9 per hour.

Drone Pilot / UAS Test Operator

Gardena, CA • On-site

Singularity Defense Corp.
See more jobs at Singularity Defense Corp.external

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Pilot high-performance RC jets, fixed-wing target drones, and multirotor systems during ground and flight testing.

  • Assist with aircraft assembly, configuration, repair, and rapid turnaround, including setting up radios, telemetry, FPV links, batteries, propulsion, and safety systems.

  • Support flight software and GNC engineers with ArduPilot-based integrations, perform manual flight testing, and assist with tuning and reviewing logs to ensure safe and reliable flight test execution.

Job description

About the Company:
Singularity is an Aerospace & Defense startup headquartered in El Segundo, CA. Our founding team hails from SpaceX, Anduril, Northrop, ABL and Lockheed Martin, and we are backed by Joint Staff-level military leadership and top-tier Silicon Valley rms. We're assembling a high-agency team committed to moving fast, solving hard problems, and defending what matters most. With a world-class business development & leadership team already in place, we are well positioned to capitalize on already overwhelming demand.
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Drone Pilot / UAS Test Operator to support the flying, development, testing, and evaluation of next-generation high-speed aerial targets and autonomous flight systems. You will fly a wide range of remotely-piloted vehicles-from high-speed RC jets to low-speed target drones, heavy-lift quadcopters, and custom R&D platforms. This role is hands-on and mission-critical; you will be directly involved in preparing aircraft, executing flight operations, and supporting autopilot tuning and integration efforts (ArduPilot/ArduPlane/ArduCopter).
You will work closely with flight software, GNC, mechanical, and systems engineering teams to ensure safe and reliable flight test execution across multiple development programs.
Responsibilities:
Travel:
  • The role will be split between El Segundo and trips to the Mojave desert for testing.

Flight Operations
  • Pilot high-performance RC jets, fixed-wing target drones, and multirotor systems during ground and flight testing.
  • Execute pre-flight, post-flight, and safety checklists with discipline.
  • Maintain positive control of aircraft during nominal flights and during upset or emergency scenarios.
  • Provide real-time feedback to engineering teams regarding aircraft behavior, anomalies, or flight envelope limitations.

Aircraft Preparation & Maintenance
  • Assist with aircraft assembly, configuration, repair, and rapid turnaround.
  • Set up radios, transmitters, telemetry, FPV links, batteries, propulsion systems, and safety systems.
  • Ensure airframes and propulsion systems are field-ready and meet test requirements.

Autopilot Development Support
  • Support flight software and GNC engineers with ArduPilot-based integrations (ArduPlane, ArduCopter, Mission Planner, QGC, etc.).
  • Perform manual flight testing to characterize aircraft dynamics prior to autopilot engagement.
  • Assist with tuning PID loops, navigation parameters, launch parameters, and failsafes.
  • Help review logs and flight data to identify tuning needs or hardware issues.

Test & Operations Support
  • Contribute to test card creation, range coordination, and safe test execution.
  • Operate ground control stations, RF links, and telemetry systems during tests.
  • Participate in risk reviews, safety briefings, and incident analysis.
  • Support field operations including setup, teardown, and transportation of equipment.

Required Qualifications
  • 3+ years experience flying RC aircraft, drones, or UAS (fixed-wing + multirotor).
  • Demonstrated skill flying high-performance or high-speed aircraft (EDF jets, turbine jets, or equivalent).
  • Experience with RC transmitters, flight modes, failsafes, and standard radio protocols.
  • Ability to diagnose and repair basic airframe, propulsion, and avionics issues under time pressure.
  • Familiarity with ArduPilot, Mission Planner, QGroundControl, or similar autopilot ecosystems.
  • Strong situational awareness and disciplined safety mindset.
  • Ability to travel for flight tests and work in outdoor environments.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience flying large/heavy-lift multi-rotors or hybrid VTOL systems.
  • Experience tuning ArduPilot, PX4, Betaflight, or other autopilot systems.
  • Familiarity with autonomous flight testing and data review (logs, telemetry, onboard captures).
  • Experience with high-speed FPV, long-range links, or high-G maneuvering aircraft.
  • FAA Part 107 certification.
  • Background in aerospace, robotics, or mechanical/electrical engineering.

Apply