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Internship Drone Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Helsing

Software Engineer, Rust

Washington, DC · On-site +1

We build Altra, an AI-powered drone software platform, and HX-2, our autonomous drone. We are ... Collaborating with ML engineers to integrate AI/ML pipelines into the broader system * Working ...

Helsing

Software Engineer, Rust

Washington, DC · On-site

We build Altra, an AI-powered drone software platform, and HX-2, our autonomous drone. We are ... Collaborating with ML engineers to integrate AI/ML pipelines into the broader system * Working ...

helsing.ai

$170 - $210/hr

We build Altra, an AI-powered drone software platform, and HX-2, our autonomous drone. We are ... Collaborating with ML engineers to integrate AI/ML pipelines into the broader system * Working ...

ZeroMark, Inc.

General Software Engineer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

ZeroMark, Inc. builds AI-driven counter-drone systems that work in combat, focusing on practical technology that saves lives. The General Software Engineer will design and develop software solutions ...

XTEND

Embedded Software Engineer

Tampa, FL · On-site

$124K - $163K/yr

Description XTEND Tampa is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer to support the development, integration, and production of autonomous drone systems. This role focuses on hands-on embedded software ...

Tycho AI, Inc

Senior Software Engineer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$133K - $176K/yr

About the Role We are looking for experienced energetic software engineers to join our growing team ... Experience with Drone software (such as Ardupilot, Betaflight). * Familiarity with defense software ...

LeVanta Tech

Engineering Technician

Tupelo, MS · On-site

$25/hr

Drone software programming and/or flight & piloting Job title: Engineering Technician Location: Stennis, MS Years of Experience: Minimum 2 years Job Type: Full-Time (40 hr/wk) Reports To: CTO, Johnny ...

LeVanta Tech

Engineering Technician

Jackson, MS · On-site

$25/hr

Drone software programming and/or flight & piloting Job title: Engineering Technician Location: Stennis, MS Years of Experience: Minimum 2 years Job Type: Full-Time (40 hr/wk) Reports To: CTO, Johnny ...

Tycho AI Inc.

Senior Software Engineer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

About the Role We are looking for experienced energetic software engineers to join our growing team ... Experience with Drone software (such as Ardupilot, Betaflight). * Familiarity with defense software ...

LeVanta Tech

Engineering Technician

Biloxi, MS · On-site

$25/hr

Drone software programming and/or flight & piloting Job title: Engineering Technician Location: Stennis, MS Years of Experience: Minimum 2 years Job Type: Full-Time (40 hr/wk) Reports To: CTO, Johnny ...

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Internship Drone Software Engineer information

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How much do internship drone software engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for internship drone software engineer in the United States is $25.42, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.67 and $28.85 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an internship drone software engineer do?

An Internship Drone Software Engineer assists in developing and testing software that controls drones, such as flight algorithms, navigation, and data processing systems. Interns typically work under the guidance of experienced engineers, contributing to coding, debugging, and integration tasks. They may also help with simulation, troubleshooting real-world drone issues, and collaborating with hardware teams to ensure seamless operation. This role provides hands-on experience in both software development and the rapidly growing field of unmanned aerial vehicles.

What types of projects and responsibilities can an internship drone software engineer expect to work on during their internship?

As an Internship Drone Software Engineer, you can expect to contribute to a range of projects involving the development, testing, and optimization of drone software systems. Typical responsibilities may include writing code for flight control, participating in simulations, assisting with hardware integration, and troubleshooting software issues. Interns often work closely with experienced engineers and multidisciplinary teams, gaining hands-on experience while learning industry-standard tools and practices. This role provides valuable exposure to both autonomous systems and real-world deployment scenarios, which can be a strong foundation for future roles in robotics or aerospace engineering.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an internship drone software engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Internship Drone Software Engineer, you need a solid background in computer science or engineering, familiarity with programming languages like Python or C++, and a basic understanding of robotics or embedded systems. Experience with simulation tools such as Gazebo, version control systems like Git, and knowledge of APIs or SDKs for drones is highly valuable. Strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and effective teamwork help interns excel in dynamic project environments. These skills ensure you can contribute to innovative drone solutions while learning quickly and collaborating efficiently with multidisciplinary teams.

What is the difference between Internship Drone Software Engineer vs Drone Software Engineer?

AspectInternship Drone Software EngineerDrone Software Engineer
QualificationsEnrolled in or recent graduate of relevant degree (CS, EE)Bachelor's or higher in related field, experience preferred
Work EnvironmentInternship programs, mentorship, entry-level tasksFull-time, professional setting, complex projects
ResponsibilitiesAssist in software development, testing, data analysisDesign, develop, and maintain drone software systems
Industry UsageTraining, entry-level roles, skill developmentOperational, R&D, product development in drone industry

The main difference between an Internship Drone Software Engineer and a Drone Software Engineer is experience level and responsibilities. Internships focus on learning, assisting, and gaining industry exposure, while Drone Software Engineers handle complex development tasks and have more autonomy. Internships are ideal for students or recent graduates, whereas full-time engineers typically have more experience and responsibilities.

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Internship Drone Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Internship Drone Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,867 per year, or $25.4 per hour.

Software Engineer, Rust Software Washington, DC

helsing.ai

Washington, DC • On-site

$100 - $130/hr

Other

Medical, PTO

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

Helsing develops artificial intelligence‑enabled capabilities to protect and defend democracies. We build Altra, an AI‑powered drone software platform, and HX‑2, our autonomous drone. We are growing our US operations, cultivating an ambitious and committed team of mission‑driven professionals to apply their skills to solve challenging problems.

The role

You will work on Altra, Helsing’s drone software platform, primarily written in Rust. You will design and build systems‑level software that powers autonomous capabilities in challenging operational environments. You do not need to be a drone expert — but you should be a strong systems programmer who thrives in low‑latency, high‑reliability environments and is excited to apply those skills to a mission‑critical product.

The day-to-day
  • Designing, building, and maintaining Rust services across the Altra platform
  • Collaborating with ML engineers to integrate AI/ML pipelines into the broader system
  • Working across the stack, from networking and protocol implementation to application‑level services
  • Contributing to increasingly advanced autonomy features
  • Developing and testing software using simulation environments
  • Writing software that must perform reliably on resource‑constrained platforms under real‑world constraints
You should apply if you
  • Have 5+ years of experience in systems‑level software engineering
  • Have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field
  • Are proficient in Rust, or have strong experience in C++ or another systems‑level compiled language with a willingness to work in Rust daily
  • Have experience building distributed systems, particularly in unreliable or constrained network environments
  • Have worked with real‑time or low‑latency systems where performance and reliability are critical
  • Have experience with at least one or two areas relevant to our stack: video streaming, pub/sub messaging, sensor data processing, embedded systems, protocol design, or robotics
  • Have designed or built systems that interface with AI/ML pipelines — streaming data to models, handling inference outputs, managing pipeline orchestration
  • Are familiar with Python, particularly for interfacing with ML/AI components
  • Are a U.S. citizen eligible to obtain a security clearance
Nice to have
  • Direct experience with Rust in production systems
  • Background in robotics, autonomous vehicles, or drone systems
  • Experience with sensor fusion or multi‑sensor data processing
  • Familiarity with swarming, multi‑agent systems, or decentralized coordination algorithms
  • Experience with constrained or embedded platforms
  • Familiarity with Nix or NixOS for reproducible builds and development environments
  • Experience with SITL/HITL (Software/Hardware-In-The-Loop) simulation and testing frameworks for autonomous systems
  • Experience with RF communications, telemetry, or datalink systems
  • Background in defense or national security
What we offer

A focus on outcomes, not time‑tracking.

A generous compensation and benefits package (in addition to base salary) that includes, but may not be limited to, insurance coverage (medical and travel), flexible paid time off, paid holidays, and remote and/or hybrid work available depending on position. All compensation and benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of the underlying plans or programs, as applicable and as may be amended, terminated or superseded from time to time.

Helsing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetics, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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