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Reconnaissance Scout Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Department of the Air Force

... scout, target illumination, laser targeting, functional flight tests, and flight testing. This ... reconnaissance; Experience conducting training of crew members in simple to complex mission ...

All JobsReconnaissance Scout Jobs

Reconnaissance Scout information

See salary details

$20.5K

$31.4K

$45K

How much do reconnaissance scout jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for reconnaissance scout in the United States is $31,414.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22,000.00 and $45,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a military recon?

A military reconnaissance scout is a service member responsible for gathering intelligence about enemy positions, terrain, and activities through surveillance, observation, and reporting. This role requires skills in navigation, stealth, and often the use of tools like binoculars, radios, and maps to support tactical decision-making.

Is reconnaissance the same as scouting?

Reconnaissance and scouting are related but distinct activities in military and security roles. Scouting typically involves gathering information about enemy positions or terrain through observation, often in a tactical or short-term context. Reconnaissance generally refers to more comprehensive, planned missions to collect detailed intelligence over a broader area, often requiring specialized skills and equipment.

What is the role of a scout in the military?

A reconnaissance scout in the military is responsible for gathering intelligence on enemy positions, terrain, and activities to support strategic planning. They often operate ahead of main forces, using skills such as navigation, observation, and communication, sometimes with specialized equipment like binoculars or GPS devices. Their role is critical for situational awareness and mission success.

What is the difference between Reconnaissance Scout vs Infantry Scout?

AspectReconnaissance ScoutInfantry Scout
Required CredentialsMilitary training, specialized reconnaissance certificationsBasic military training, infantry skills
Work EnvironmentField operations, outdoor, often in remote areasFrontline, combat zones, urban and rural settings
Employer & IndustryMilitary, defense

Reconnaissance Scouts focus on gathering intelligence and surveillance, often operating independently or in small teams in remote areas. Infantry Scouts are part of combat units, performing reconnaissance to support frontline operations. While both roles require military training, Reconnaissance Scouts typically have specialized skills in surveillance and stealth, whereas Infantry Scouts emphasize combat readiness and tactical movement.

What job categories do people searching Reconnaissance Scout jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Reconnaissance Scout jobs are:
Reconnaissance Scout jobs near you
Infographic showing various Reconnaissance Scout job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $31,414 per year, or $15.1 per hour.

Mission Operator - Ground Systems

Scout AI

Paso Robles, CA • On-site

$85K - $155K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Mission Operator - Ground Systems

Paso Robles, CA

The future of defense will be decided by those who field intelligent machines at scale. At Scout AI, we're developing Fury, the first robotic foundation model for defense, to give U.S. forces overwhelming, adaptable, and autonomous power across every domain. Fury enables human operators to command fleets of robots through natural language, and empowers those machines to sense, decide, and act together as one. This mission will ask everything of us: urgency, precision, and relentless work.

The Role

We're hiring mission operators to plan, coordinate, and execute real-world testing and data collection for Scout's autonomous systems. This role owns the execution of field operations, leading ground and air teams to generate the data and validation required to build and deploy autonomy at scale.

You will be responsible for synchronizing multiple teams and platforms in dynamic environments, ensuring operations are executed safely, efficiently, and with high technical rigor. This includes coordinating UGVs and UAS, managing test objectives, and driving disciplined execution at our test site.

You will operate at the intersection of engineering and mission execution, translating technical goals into executable field plans, and ensuring high-quality data is collected under real-world conditions. This role requires leadership under pressure, strong operational judgment, and the ability to solve problems in real time.

Responsibilities

  • Define, track, and deliver against field operations metrics, ensuring data collection targets are consistently met across testing cycles
  • Plan and execute field operations involving coordinated ground and air systems for testing and data collection
  • Lead and manage field teams (operators, engineers, technicians) during deployments and test events
  • Translate engineering and product objectives into detailed, executable test plans and mission profiles
  • Act as the on-site decision maker, ensuring safe, efficient, and disciplined execution of operations
  • Coordinate timing, positioning, and tasking of UGV and UAS assets during missions
  • Ensure high-quality data collection, including proper sensor configuration, logging, and validation
  • Troubleshoot operational and technical issues in real time, coordinating closely with engineering teams
  • Own site setup, logistics, and operational readiness for field deployments
  • Develop and refine standard operating procedures (SOPs) for testing, data collection, and mission execution
  • Capture and communicate detailed feedback from the field to engineering and product teams
  • Support customer demonstrations and operational evaluations, ensuring professional execution and system performance

Qualifications

  • Prior military experience (officer or senior enlisted), preferably in combat arms, aviation, reconnaissance, or technical units
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Robotics, or related field)
  • 7+ years of experience leading teams in field operations, testing, or mission-driven environments
  • Proven ability to coordinate complex operations involving multiple teams and systems
  • Strong technical foundation with the ability to understand and troubleshoot integrated hardware/software systems
  • Experience operating in dynamic, high-pressure environments with incomplete information
  • Demonstrated leadership, decision-making, and accountability in real-world operations
  • Strong communication skills and ability to align technical and operational teams

Why Join Scout

  • Work on the world's most important frontier, ensuring U.S. and allied dominance in the age of intelligent machines
  • Be a core part of a team building the first defense-specific robotic foundation model
  • Collaborate with some of the top engineers in autonomy, AI, and national security
  • See your work deployed on real systems
  • Help define the future of intelligent defense systems
  • Backed by Draper Associates, Booz Allen Ventures, and other top investors

Benefits

  • Competitive base salary and bonus
  • Meaningful equity
  • Premium medical, dental, and vision plans with $0 paycheck contribution
  • Competitive PTO and company holiday calendar
  • Unlimited AI tokens
  • Catered lunch daily and fully stocked kitchen
  • EV charging
  • Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility)

The stated salary range below represents an estimated base pay only and reflects consideration of multiple compensation factors. Final salary offers may differ depending on factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience or training background, specialized skills, and business needs. Most full-time positions also include highly competitive equity awards, which form part of Scout AI's overall compensation package. In addition, Scout AI provides comprehensive, top-tier benefits to full-time employees.

US Salary Range

$85,000 - $155,000 USD

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