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Full Time Drone Controller Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Skydio, Inc

Technical Support Specialist

$59K - $100K/yr

Know Skydio drone, controller, and cloud products inside and out, and proactively seek clarity on ... At Skydio, our compensation packages for regular, full-time employees include competitive base ...

Skydio, Inc

Software Engineer - Security

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$160K - $210K/yr

Skydio is the leading US drone company and the world leader in autonomous flight, the key ... At Skydio, our compensation packages for regular, full-time employees include competitive base ...

SAIC

ZDC Remote Pilot Operator

Leesburg, VA · Remote

$40K - $80K/yr

This is NOT a UAS / UAV / RPV / DRONE pilot position. We are looking for Full-time, Remote Pilot Operator (RPO) candidates to join the SAIC Controller Training Solutions (CTS) team at the Washington ...

SAIC

ZNY Remote Pilot Operator

Ronkonkoma, NY · Remote

$40K - $80K/yr

This is NOT a UAS / UAV / RPV / DRONE pilot position. We are looking for Full-time, Remote Pilot Operator (RPO) candidates to join the SAIC Controller Training Solutions (CTS) team at the New York ...

SAIC

ZAN Remote Pilot Operator

Anchorage, AK · Remote

This is NOT a UAS / UAV / RPV / DRONE pilot position. We are looking for a Full-time, Remote Pilot Operator (RPO) candidate to join the SAIC Controller Training Solutions (CTS) team at the Anchorage ...

SAIC

CLT Remote Pilot Operator

Charlotte, NC · Remote

This is NOT a UAS / UAV / RPV / DRONE pilot position. We are looking for Full-time, Remote Pilot Operator (RPO) candidates to join the SAIC Controller Training Solutions (CTS) team at the Charlotte ...

SAIC

ZME Remote Pilot Operator

Memphis, TN · Remote

This is NOT a UAS, UAV, RPV, or DRONE pilot position. We are looking for a Full-time, Remote Pilot Operator (RPO) candidates to join the SAIC Controller Training Solutions (CTS) team at the Memphis ...

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All JobsDrone Controller JobsFull Time Drone Controller Jobs

Full Time Drone Controller information

See salary details

$55K

$119.5K

$175.5K

How much do full time drone controller jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for full time drone controller in the United States is $119,497.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,000.00 and $138,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Full Time Drone Controller vs Part Time Drone Operator?

AspectFull Time Drone ControllerPart Time Drone Operator
CredentialsFAA drone certification, relevant licensesFAA drone certification, may be optional for limited hours
Work EnvironmentOffice, field, or remote settings, regular hoursFlexible hours, project-based or occasional
Employer & IndustryCompanies in media, agriculture, constructionFreelance, part-time roles in similar industries
Search & Comparison IntentSeeking stable employment with benefitsLooking for flexible, short-term work

Full Time Drone Controllers typically work regular hours with stable employment, requiring certifications and often benefits. Part Time Drone Operators usually work on a flexible basis, may have similar certifications, but focus on short-term or project-based tasks. The choice depends on your desired work schedule and career stability.

How much is Walmart paying drone pilots?

Walmart has been reported to pay drone pilots around $20 to $25 per hour for tasks such as inventory management and delivery testing. Compensation can vary based on experience, location, and the specific responsibilities involved in drone operations. Many companies also require certifications and familiarity with drone technology for these roles.

Is there a demand for drone operators?

The demand for drone operators, including full-time drone controllers, is growing across industries such as agriculture, construction, film, and inspection services. Employers seek skilled operators with certifications and knowledge of drone technology, and job opportunities are increasing as drone use expands in commercial applications.

What is the 120m rule for drones?

The 120-meter rule for drone operators, including full-time drone controllers, requires maintaining a maximum altitude of 120 meters (400 feet) above ground level to ensure safe operation and compliance with regulations. This limit helps prevent conflicts with manned aircraft and is a standard part of many drone certification and safety protocols.

What is the highest paying drone job?

The highest paying drone jobs typically include roles such as drone pilot for aerial cinematography, infrastructure inspection, or specialized surveying, often requiring advanced certifications and experience. These positions can pay six-figure salaries, especially for those working in industrial sectors or with large companies, and may involve working in challenging environments or on complex projects.
More about Full Time Drone Controller jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Drone Controller jobs? The most popular types of Drone Controller jobs are:
What job categories do people searching Full Time Drone Controller jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Full Time Drone Controller jobs are:
Full Time Drone Controller jobs near you
Infographic showing various Full Time Drone Controller job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 7% Locum Tenens, 88% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,497 per year, or $57.5 per hour.
Flight Control Firmware Engineer

Flight Control Firmware Engineer

DMR TECHNOLOGIES INC

Lafayette, LA • On-site

$14 - $60/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

Benefits:
  • Competitive salary
  • Dental insurance
  • Health insurance

Flight Control Firmware EngineerLafayette, LA Full-Time Built on the Bayou Bringing the Future of Flight to Life
*The description below is a best-case candidate. This specific role could potentially be a part-time internship for someone in the 3rd / 4th year of a computer science-related field.
DMR is building next-generation drone technology right here in Lafayette, LA. Our flight controllers are flying production missions today multi-IMU redundancy, dual GPS+RTK, dual-antenna heading with magnetometer fusion, and layered safety strategies. We need a firmware engineer ready to own this system, push it forward, and help us scale.
What You'll Do
Own the flight control firmware analyze, document, and evolve a mature production codebase covering multi-IMU redundancy, dual GPS+RTK, and dual-antenna heading fusion.
Lead feature development and stability tuning for RTK and 4G modules.
Develop and maintain sensor drivers: IMU, GNSS, magnetic compass, barometer, Hall/ultrasonic flow meters, and radar.
Implement production-line calibration methods and support test fixtures.
Maintain the flight control protocol SDK; coordinate integration with application and cloud teams.
Refine flight modes and safety strategies; contribute early research into RTK base stations and centrifugal nozzles.
Close the loop on mass-production issues and ensure firmware consistency across batches.
What You Bring
Bachelor's degree or above in Automation, Electronics, Aerospace, Computer Science, or related field.
5+ years of embedded flight control firmware experience, including at least one drone controller taken from development through mass production.
Strong STM32 (H7 preferred) skills both bare-metal and RTOS environments.
Solid knowledge of IMU/GNSS-RTK/compass drivers and multi-sensor fusion (Kalman/ESKF), attitude estimation, and control algorithms.
Familiarity with CAN, RS-485, serial, PWM, ADC, and other embedded bus interfaces.
Self-directed you can troubleshoot independently and drive work to completion.
Bonus Points
Agricultural or crop-protection drone experience: spraying, spreading, seeding, swath-width route planning, or resume-spraying.
RTK high-precision positioning, dual-antenna heading, or 4G base station integration experience.
DMR is headquartered in Lafayette, LA the heart of Cajun Country. We move fast, build real products, and take pride in doing it here. If you're ready to own the firmware on drones that are actually flying, we want to hear from you.