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Object Tracking Drone Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Implement algorithms for drone detection, tracking, identification, and mitigation. * Optimize ... Strong understanding of data structures, algorithms, and object-oriented design principles.

Principal Radar Engineer

Germantown, MD · On-site

$134K - $208K/yr

... counter-drone applications, critical infrastructure protection, and border surveillance. Job ... Experience with image/video object detection and tracking * Experience with sensor data fusion

Computer Vision Engineer - UAS

San Antonio, TX · On-site

$100K - $118K/yr

Our Blackfoot platform is a tactical FPV drone system engineered for reliability, adaptability ... This role is critical to delivering robust onboard vision capabilities - object detection, tracking ...

Principal Radar Engineer

Germantown, MD · On-site

$134K - $208K/yr

... counter-drone applications, critical infrastructure protection, and border surveillance. Job ... Experience with image/video object detection and tracking * Experience with sensor data fusion

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Object Tracking Drone information

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$36.5K

$100.5K

How much do object tracking drone jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for object tracking drone in the United States is $95,027.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,000.00 and $100,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Object Tracking Drone vs Object Detection Specialist?

AspectObject Tracking DroneObject Detection Specialist
Required CredentialsDrone pilot certification, UAV operation licenses, basic programming knowledgeComputer vision certifications, programming skills, relevant degrees
Work EnvironmentOutdoor, on-site drone operation, field testingIndoor, office-based, software development and analysis
Industry UsageAerospace, surveillance, agriculture, filmmakingSecurity, software development, AI research, tech companies

Object Tracking Drones focus on flying and capturing real-time data for tracking objects from the air, requiring drone operation skills. Object Detection Specialists develop algorithms to identify objects within images or videos, primarily working in software environments. While both roles involve computer vision, their work settings and skill sets differ significantly, with drones emphasizing field operation and specialists focusing on software development.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working with object tracking drones, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals operating object tracking drones often encounter challenges such as maintaining stable tracking in varying environmental conditions, dealing with signal interference, and ensuring the accuracy of the drone’s sensors and algorithms. Addressing these issues typically involves regular calibration of equipment, ongoing software updates, and thorough pre-flight planning to anticipate obstacles like weather or crowded environments. Collaboration with team members, such as software engineers and data analysts, also plays a crucial role in optimizing tracking algorithms and troubleshooting technical issues.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Drone Operator specializing in object tracking, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Drone Operator specializing in object tracking, you need expertise in UAV piloting, spatial awareness, and understanding of tracking algorithms, often backed by a remote pilot certificate. Familiarity with flight control software, GPS systems, and object tracking technologies such as computer vision tools is essential. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication enhance operational safety and mission success. These skills are crucial for ensuring precise object tracking, complying with regulations, and delivering reliable results in dynamic environments.

What is an object tracking drone?

An object tracking drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with advanced sensors and software that allow it to autonomously follow and record a moving subject. These drones use technologies such as GPS, computer vision, and artificial intelligence to identify and maintain focus on a specific object or person. Object tracking drones are commonly used in filmmaking, sports, wildlife observation, and security to capture dynamic footage without manual control. They offer features like automated flight paths, obstacle avoidance, and real-time video transmission to ensure smooth tracking. The ease of use and versatility make them popular among professionals and hobbyists alike.
Infographic showing various Object Tracking Drone job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 7% Locum Tenens, 73% Full Time, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,027 per year, or $45.7 per hour.

Senior Perception & Tracking Engineer

Allen Control Systems

Austin, TX • On-site

$103K - $142K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Job Summary:
Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup developing an autonomous gun turret using advanced computer vision and control systems. They are seeking a Senior Perception and Tracking Engineer to design and implement real-time perception algorithms for robotics and autonomous systems, focusing on object detection and tracking in dynamic environments.
Responsibilities:
• Develop and optimize computer vision algorithms for real-time detection and tracking of small objects in robotic and autonomous systems.
• Implement and improve object detection and multi-object tracking pipelines using modern deep learning techniques.
• Train, evaluate, and deploy machine learning models for perception tasks in dynamic environments.
• Design image preprocessing and feature extraction pipelines to improve model robustness and performance.
• Optimize models and algorithms for low-latency inference on GPU or embedded hardware.
• Collaborate with robotics and software teams to integrate perception systems into autonomous platforms and real-world deployments.
• Analyze system performance and improve tracking accuracy, stability, and reliability in challenging environments.
• Support the development of datasets, evaluation metrics, and testing frameworks for perception systems.
Qualifications:
Required:
• 2-5+ years of experience with CV/ML Engineering experience with robotics and comfortable in a role that specializes in tracking
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• Strong experience developing computer vision algorithms for real-time applications
• Experience implementing object detection (YOLO, SSD, R-CNN, or similar) and classic or deep learning-based tracking algorithms (Kalman and particle filters, ByteTrack, or similar)
• Experience with machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or similar
• Experience with image preprocessing, feature extraction, and other classical computer vision pipelines
• Strong programming skills in Python and/or C++
Preferred:
• Production experience integrating real-time tracking algorithms into robotic perception systems on edge or embedded hardware.
• Experience integrating sensors into autonomous systems, including cameras, LiDAR, or RADAR
• Experience working on robotics systems or embedded vision platforms
• Experience optimizing vision workloads using CUDA or GPU acceleration
Company:
Allen Control Systems is a robotics defense company that develops counter-drone technology for the U.S. and its allied forces. Founded in 2022, the company is headquartered in Austin, USA, with a team of 51-200 employees. The company is currently Growth Stage.