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Remote Flight Following Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Flight Software Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$105K - $155K/yr

Hybrid (Kirtland AFB, NM), Remote U.S. eligible JOB STATUS: Full-time CLEARANCE: U.S. Citizenship ... Bachelor of Science in one of the following or a related technical field: * * Software Engineering

New

This work aligns with the FAA's broader initiative to replace aging legacy flight service ... This role can be performed at any of the following locations: Gaithersburg, MD; Eagan, MN; or ...

Autonomy Engineer

Lorton, VA · On-site +1

$99K - $225K/yr

Remote Work: Hybrid Job Number: R0241314 Location: Lorton,VA,US Share job via: Share Autonomy ... Experience leading software development efforts following DevOps principles, including Agile, CI/CD ...

Robotics Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site +1

$99K - $225K/yr

Remote Work: Hybrid Job Number: R0238340 Location: McLean,VA,US Share job via: Share Robotics ... Experience leading software development efforts following DevOps principles, including Agile, CI/CD ...

GENERAL ENGINEER

Arlington, VA · On-site +1

$102K - $158K/yr

... remote or isolated sites. You must be able to travel on military and commercial aircraft for ... Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: (1) Developing flight and chamber test ...

New

Systems Admin/Cyber Security Engineer

Vienna, VA · Remote

$58.50 - $72/hr

Remote (must live in the United States) Pay rate: open to both W2 and established 1099 (no c2c) We ... deployments, following process, and updating/creating associated team/tool documentation.

Systems Admin/Cyber Security Engineer

Vienna, VA · Remote

$58.50 - $72/hr

Remote (must live in the United States) Pay rate: open to both W2 and established 1099 (no c2c) We ... deployments, following process, and updating/creating associated team/tool documentation.

Systems Admin/Cyber Security Engineer

Vienna, VA · Remote

$58.50 - $72/hr

Remote (must live in the United States) Pay rate: open to both W2 and established 1099 (no c2c) We ... deployments, following process, and updating/creating associated team/tool documentation.

Systems Admin/Cyber Security Engineer

Vienna, VA · Remote

$58.50 - $72/hr

Remote (must live in the United States) Pay rate: open to both W2 and established 1099 (no c2c) We ... deployments, following process, and updating/creating associated team/tool documentation.

Systems Admin/Cyber Security Engineer

Vienna, VA · Remote

$58.50 - $72/hr

Remote (must live in the United States) Pay rate: open to both W2 and established 1099 (no c2c) We ... deployments, following process, and updating/creating associated team/tool documentation.

Remote Flight Following information

See Washington, DC salary details

$16

$32

$53

How much do remote flight following jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for remote flight following in Washington, DC is $32.06, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.50 and $32.69 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is remote flight following?

Remote flight following is a process where dedicated personnel monitor the progress and safety of an aircraft from a location different than the aircraft’s departure or arrival airport. This involves tracking the aircraft's position, status, and communicating with the crew to ensure the flight is proceeding as planned. Remote flight followers use specialized software and communication tools to receive updates and provide support, especially for operations in remote or challenging environments. This role is crucial for enhancing operational safety and ensuring timely responses to any in-flight issues.

What is the difference between Remote Flight Following vs Remote Air Traffic Control?

AspectRemote Flight FollowingRemote Air Traffic Control
CertificationsFAA or equivalent, radar and communication trainingFAA or equivalent, radar, communication, and ATC certifications
Work EnvironmentMonitoring flights remotely, primarily via radar and communication systemsManaging aircraft movements in controlled airspace, often in a control tower setting
Industry UsageCommercial and private aviation companies, flight monitoring servicesAirports, FAA, and government agencies

Remote Flight Following involves tracking and monitoring flights remotely, focusing on safety and communication, while Remote Air Traffic Control involves managing aircraft movements within controlled airspace, requiring more extensive certifications and direct control responsibilities. Both roles are essential in aviation safety but differ in scope and certification requirements.

What are some common challenges remote flight followers face and how can they effectively address them?

Remote flight followers often encounter challenges such as maintaining real-time situational awareness across multiple flights and managing communication with dispersed flight crews and operations teams. To address these, it’s important to leverage robust tracking software, establish clear communication protocols, and stay updated on weather and airspace changes. Regular training on new technologies and procedures also helps ensure accuracy and efficiency in monitoring flights from a remote location.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a remote flight follower?

To thrive as a Remote Flight Follower, you need a solid understanding of aviation operations, flight planning, and regulatory compliance, often supported by relevant aviation training or certification. Familiarity with flight tracking software, weather monitoring systems, and communication tools like ACARS and satellite phones is typically required. Strong attention to detail, effective communication, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure the safe and efficient monitoring of aircraft movements, timely response to in-flight issues, and compliance with aviation regulations.
What are popular job titles related to Remote Flight Following jobs in Washington, DC? For Remote Flight Following jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Flight Software Engineer

Astrion

Washington, DC • On-site, Remote

$105K - $155K/yr

Full-time

Posted yesterday

New


Job description

Overview

Flight Software Engineer

LOCATION: Hybrid (Kirtland AFB, NM), Remote U.S. eligible

JOB STATUS: Full-time

CLEARANCE: U.S. Citizenship, DoD Secret Clearance

TRAVEL: 10% (if remote)

Astrion is seeking a Flight Software Engineer to support small satellite flight software development for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Kirtland Air Force Base.

This engineer will contribute to the design, development, and testing of satellite bus software supporting experimental and research missions. The role is ideal for a mid- to senior-level software engineer with experience developing embedded or flight software for spacecraft or other real-time systems.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

Education:

Bachelor of Science in one of the following or a related technical field:

    • Software Engineering
    • Computer Science
    • Electrical Engineering
    • Aerospace Engineering
  • Minimum 5+ years of professional software development experience
  • Experience developing embedded or flight software in C or C++
  • Experience with satellite bus or payload software development
  • Familiarity with spacecraft subsystems and interfaces (power, communications, command and data handling, ADCS, etc.)
  • Experience working with real-time operating systems
  • Experience with hardware/software integration or low-level driver development
  • Experience with scripting languages such as Python, Perl, or similar
  • Strong problem-solving and debugging skills
  • Ability to produce secure, maintainable, high-quality code
  • Comfortable working in small, agile engineering teams
  • Effective communicator with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
  • Self-directed and adaptable in a research and development environment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

  • Experience with the VxWorks real-time operating system
  • Experience with other embedded real-time systems such as RTEMS
  • Master’s degree in a relevant technical field

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Design, develop, test, and maintain embedded flight software for small satellite bus systems
  • Execute tasking from the satellite Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T) lead
  • Coordinate with other flight software engineers and subsystem teams
  • Implement best practices for code quality, maintainability, and cybersecurity
  • Develop and maintain technical documentation, including interface specifications and user guides
  • Participate in unit testing, code reviews, and system validation

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