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Remote Aircraft Pilot Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Merlin Labs

Staff Systems Engineer, Integration

OR · On-site +1

$165K - $215K/yr

The Merlin Pilot autonomy system powers a growing range of aircraft and mission profiles and has ... Boston, MA (hybrid) strongly preferred - can be remote for the right candidate $165,000 - $215,000 ...

All JobsAircraft Pilot JobsRemote Aircraft Pilot JobsRemote Aircraft Pilot Jobs in Oregon

Remote Aircraft Pilot information

See Oregon salary details

$50.8K

$92.1K

$140.6K

How much do remote aircraft pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for remote aircraft pilot in Oregon is $92,137.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,100.00 and $107,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a remote aircraft pilot?

Remote Aircraft Pilots, also known as drone pilots or UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) operators, are professionals who control aircraft remotely without being onboard. They use specialized equipment and software to fly drones for various purposes, such as aerial photography, surveying, agriculture, delivery, or inspection. Remote Aircraft Pilots must understand aviation regulations, safety protocols, and the technical aspects of the drones they operate. Their work can support industries like filmmaking, construction, law enforcement, and environmental monitoring.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a remote aircraft pilot?

To thrive as a Remote Aircraft Pilot, you need strong piloting skills, familiarity with aviation regulations, and typically a remote pilot certificate such as the FAA Part 107. Proficiency with drone flight software, GPS navigation systems, and camera or sensor integration is often required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are crucial soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure safe, compliant, and efficient remote aircraft operations in various environments.

What are common challenges faced by remote aircraft pilots, and how can they be addressed?

Remote Aircraft Pilots often encounter challenges such as communication delays with ground teams, adapting to rapidly changing weather conditions, and managing long periods of focused attention during flight operations. To address these issues, pilots should develop strong situational awareness, maintain regular communication protocols, and participate in ongoing training to stay current with technology and regulations. Building good teamwork with support staff and staying up to date with best practices can help ensure safe and efficient operations in this dynamic field.

What is the difference between Remote Aircraft Pilot vs Drone Operator?

AspectRemote Aircraft PilotDrone Operator
CertificationsFAA Part 107 Remote Pilot CertificateFAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (often required)
Work EnvironmentCommercial, industrial, or government settings, often involving larger aircraft or specialized operationsMedia, photography, surveying, or recreational use, often with smaller drones
Employer & IndustryAirlines, government agencies, private companiesMedia companies, survey firms, hobbyists

Remote Aircraft Pilots and Drone Operators both require FAA Part 107 certification and operate remotely, but Remote Aircraft Pilots typically handle larger, more complex aircraft in commercial or industrial settings, while Drone Operators often focus on smaller drones for media, surveying, or recreational purposes. The roles overlap in certification and remote work environment but differ in aircraft size and industry application.

Are remote aircraft pilots paid well?

Remote aircraft pilots, often involved in drone operations or virtual flight training, can earn competitive wages depending on experience, certifications, and the complexity of the tasks. Salaries typically range from moderate to high, with specialized skills and regulatory compliance influencing pay levels.

How do you become a remote aircraft pilot?

To become a remote aircraft pilot, you typically need to obtain a remote pilot certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by passing a knowledge test and undergoing background checks. You should also gain experience with drone operation, understand airspace rules, and use appropriate remote control equipment. Additional training or certifications may be required depending on the complexity of the drone operations and employer requirements.

How much do remote aircraft pilots make?

Remote aircraft pilots, often called drone pilots or UAV operators, typically earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually depending on experience, certifications, and the complexity of the operations. Salaries can vary based on industry, location, and whether they work freelance or for a company, with some specialized roles paying higher wages.

What are popular job titles related to Remote Aircraft Pilot jobs in Oregon?

For Remote Aircraft Pilot jobs in Oregon, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Remote Aircraft Pilot jobs in Oregon look for?

The top searched job categories for Remote Aircraft Pilot jobs in Oregon are:

Remote Aircraft Pilot jobs near you
Infographic showing various Remote Aircraft Pilot job openings in Oregon as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, and 12% Part Time. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,137 per year, or $44.3 per hour.

Staff Systems Engineer, Integration

Merlin Labs

OR • On-site, Remote

$165K - $215K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 22 hours ago

Key responsibilities

  • Guide system development and traceability from system requirements capture, through design decision making, to final demonstration for systems being implemented on various aircraft.

  • Facilitate the development of concepts of operation, system architecture, system requirements, measures of performance, certification planning and execution from requirements through to demonstration for Merlin product integrations.

  • Work across the safety, hardware, simulation, and software teams to capture, document, and communicate requirements and interfaces.

Job description

About Merlin:
Merlin (NASDAQ: MRLN) is a publicly traded aerospace and defense company building a non-human pilot to deliver full-stack autonomy for any aircraft from takeoff to touchdown. The Merlin Pilot autonomy system powers a growing range of aircraft and mission profiles and has been proven through hundreds of autonomous flights from Merlin's global flight test facilities, including Kerikeri, New Zealand; Quonset Point, Rhode Island; and soon, Bedford, Massachusetts. Headquartered in Boston, Merlin is expanding its organization to accelerate the development and deployment of its autonomy platform, helping customers solve some of aviation's most pressing challenges, from pilot shortages to improving flight safety. Backed by some of the world's leading investors prior to its public listing, Merlin continues to advance the certification and commercialization of autonomous flight across commercial and defense aviation. 

About you: 
You are a very experienced systems engineer involved in systems integration, requirements management, system design, and testing in civil-certified or military safety-critical avionics and mission systems. You have a passion for new development and have a proven record of navigating the challenges in new product integration. You've worked in an experimental R&D flight test environment with general civil certified or commercial derivative aircraft and know how to keep safety at the forefront while still moving quickly. You also have experience in interfacing with a wide array of engineering domains, customers, suppliers, and partners.
Responsibilities:
  • Guide system development and traceability from system requirements capture, through design decision making, to final demonstration for systems being implemented on various aircraft.
  • Facilitate the development of concepts of operation, system architecture (including functional and physical architectures), system requirements, measures of performance, certification planning and execution from requirements through to demonstration for Merlin product integrations.
  • Work across the safety, hardware, simulation, and software teams to capture, document, and communicate requirements and interfaces
  • Host design reviews of architectures for senior leadership and review artifacts as the primary technical stakeholder across all supporting functional disciplines.
  • Managing systems engineering tasking and aligning disciplines to support their successful and timely completion.
  • Participate in the development of systems engineering development plans and processes as needed.
  • Participate in reviews of artifacts with customers, suppliers, and regulatory authorities as required.
Qualifications:
  • BS in Electrical/Aerospace/Systems Engineering or a related subject, MS preferred.
  • 10+ years of experience conducting systems engineering in FAA/EASA/Military certification programs (8+ years with MS degree).
  • Demonstrated ability to lead as a Systems Engineer in solving complex architectural and systems engineering-related problems across aircraft integration and software.
  • Demonstrated experience facilitating design across multi-disciplined functional groups: hardware, software, electrical, mechanical, and test engineering.
  • Experience with requirements management tools and processes
  • Hands-on experience in integrating avionics and/or avionics integrated mission equipment using civil and/or military standards for flight safety, equipment qualification, and airworthiness
  • Demonstrated ability to develop system-level requirements, architecture, and interfaces, and perform requirements validation and verification.
  • Demonstrated familiarity with general aviation aircraft and integration.
Nice to Have:
  • Specific experience with general aviation aircraft integration, including Cessna Caravan
  • Specific experience in the area of Automatic Flight Controls, Flight Management, or Display Systems.
  • Specific experience in developing software requirements and performing software verification.
  • Working knowledge of FAA/EASA/Military regulations and standards is a plus.
  • Familiarity with Simulink, Cameo, IADS, Jama, JIRA
Location: Boston, MA (hybrid) strongly preferred - can be remote for the right candidate
$165,000 - $215,000 a year

The compensation range provided is a good-faith estimate based on a wide range of factors, inclusive of base salary only. The actual offer will be determined by a variety of factors including the candidate's qualifications, skills, experience, education, and training. Highly competitive equity grants are considered part of Merlin's total compensation package. Additionally, Merlin offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees.

Merlin Labs offers an innovative, entrepreneurial, and team-focused startup environment. We also offer a top-notch benefits package (health, dental, life, unlimited vacation, and 401k with match) and work/life integration. Being part of the Merlin team allows you to become part of a small team that supports professional development while working together to achieve our mission.
 
Merlin Labs is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, military service or obligation or disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All job offers are contingent upon the candidate passing background and reference checks.
 
At this time, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship or consider candidates who require visa transfers. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future. 
 
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
 
If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to: [email protected]
 
Merlin Labs does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates.
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