ZipRecruiter

Log In

2

Remote Pilot Operator Jobs in Detroit, MI (NOW HIRING)

ASG

Solution Engineer

Detroit, MI · Remote

$135K - $160K/yr

... SaaS operating model. As part of ASG, IntellaQuest is backed by Alpine Investors. ASG acquires ... Support customer pilots, evaluations, and follow-up conversations through expansion decisions.

All JobsPilot Operator JobsRemote Pilot Operator JobsRemote Pilot Operator Jobs in Detroit, MI

Remote Pilot Operator information

See Detroit, MI salary details

$10.9K

$120.2K

$190.7K

How much do remote pilot operator jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for remote pilot operator in Detroit, MI is $120,206.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,300.00 and $172,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a remote pilot operator?

A Remote Pilot Operator (RPO) assists air traffic controllers by simulating real-world flight scenarios in training environments. They operate radar and communication tools to mimic aircraft movements, providing realistic practice for trainees. RPOs play a crucial role in helping controllers develop decision-making and communication skills. This position typically requires familiarity with aviation systems and strong attention to detail. It is commonly found in FAA training facilities and aviation training programs.

What does a typical workday look like for a remote pilot operator?

As a Remote Pilot Operator, your day usually involves simulating aircraft movements to support air traffic controller training or operational scenarios. You’ll use specialized radar and communication systems to mimic real pilot responses and adjust flight paths based on evolving instructions. Collaboration with instructors, other simulation operators, and trainees is an essential part of the workflow, allowing you to help create realistic and challenging scenarios. The role often requires periods of focused attention, adaptability to changing situations, and clear communication within a team-focused environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a remote pilot operator?

To thrive as a Remote Pilot Operator, you need strong situational awareness, attention to detail, and a background in aviation or air traffic operations, often supported by specialized training. Familiarity with radar simulation systems, voice communications equipment, and air traffic control simulation tools is typically required, and FAA certifications may be preferred. Excellent communication, teamwork, and quick decision-making are crucial soft skills for success in this role. These skills ensure safety, accuracy, and effective simulation during high-stakes training and operational exercises.

Are remote pilot operators paid well?

Remote pilot operators, who operate unmanned aerial vehicles remotely, typically earn salaries that vary based on experience, certifications, and industry. Entry-level positions may start around $50,000 annually, while experienced operators with specialized skills can earn over $100,000 per year. Compensation often depends on the complexity of the drone operations and the employer’s industry sector.

How much do remote pilot operators make?

Remote pilot operators typically earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and the industry they work in. Many roles require FAA Part 107 certification and involve operating drones for surveying, filming, or inspection tasks, often on a freelance or contract basis.

What can I do with a remote pilot license?

A remote pilot license allows you to operate unmanned aircraft systems (drones) commercially, such as for aerial photography, surveying, inspection, or delivery services. It certifies you to fly drones within legal guidelines and often requires knowledge of airspace rules and safety procedures.

What do remote pilot operators do?

Remote pilot operators are responsible for flying and managing unmanned aircraft systems (drones) for various purposes such as aerial photography, surveying, or inspection. They operate drones using remote controls or software, ensure compliance with regulations, and often hold certifications like Part 107. Their work involves planning flight paths, monitoring drone performance, and maintaining safety protocols.

What are popular job titles related to Remote Pilot Operator jobs in Detroit, MI?

For Remote Pilot Operator jobs in Detroit, MI, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Remote Pilot Operator jobs in Detroit, MI look for?

The top searched job categories for Remote Pilot Operator jobs in Detroit, MI are:

What cities near Detroit, MI are hiring for Remote Pilot Operator jobs?

Cities near Detroit, MI with the most Remote Pilot Operator job openings:

Remote Pilot Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Remote Pilot Operator job openings in Detroit, MI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 33% In-person, and 67% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $120,206 per year, or $57.8 per hour.

Battery Materials, Recycling and Product-Qualification Specialists - Remote

Axyde Analytics

Detroit, MI • On-site, Remote

$150 - $300/hr

Part-time

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

Work arrangement: Remote within the United States, with potential international travel
Engagement: Contingent, part-time/on-call specialist
Anticipated compensation: $150-$300 per hour, depending on qualifications and assignment, or a negotiated fixed price by work package. $300 per hour is the maximum anticipated rate.
Opportunity
Axyde Analytics is assembling a multidisciplinary expert team for anticipated U.S. government-funded project-scoping assignments involving critical minerals and international infrastructure.
We seek specialists capable of evaluating battery-material production, lithium-ion battery recycling, secondary-feed recovery and customer-qualification pathways.
Potential assignments may involve lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, graphite, copper, aluminum, black mass, active anode materials, cathode materials, precursor materials or other battery-supply-chain products.
Axyde does not expect one candidate to cover the entire battery lifecycle. Applicants should identify the materials, processes and commercial stages in which they possess direct, demonstrable expertise.
Specialist Tracks
We are recruiting experts in one or more of the following tracks:
  • Battery-grade lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide
  • Nickel, cobalt and manganese sulfate production
  • Cathode-active-material and precursor production
  • Natural and synthetic graphite anode materials
  • Micronization, spheronization, coating and carbonization
  • Cell chemistry and battery-material performance
  • Manufacturing scrap and end-of-life battery collection
  • Battery discharge, dismantling and preprocessing
  • Shredding, mechanical separation and black-mass production
  • Hydrometallurgical recycling and product recovery
  • Pyrometallurgical and hybrid recycling routes
  • Direct cathode or active-material recycling
  • Fire, thermal-runaway and hazardous-material controls
  • Product characterization and analytical quality control
  • Sample programs, qualification and customer acceptance
  • Feedstock contracts, offtake and closed-loop supply chains
  • Recycling economics, working capital and metal-price exposure
  • Pilot design, scale-up, commissioning and operations

Potential Responsibilities
Depending on the assignment and specialist track, selected experts may:
  • Evaluate battery-material feedstocks, intermediates and finished-product specifications.
  • Review process routes for battery-grade lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese or graphite products.
  • Assess impurity control, particle characteristics, morphology, moisture and analytical requirements.
  • Evaluate cathode-precursor, cathode-active-material and anode-material production.
  • Review battery collection, transportation, discharge, dismantling and preprocessing systems.
  • Assess mechanical separation, black-mass quality, recovery yield and feed variability.
  • Evaluate hydrometallurgical, pyrometallurgical, hybrid or direct-recycling alternatives.
  • Review integrated material, metal, solution, residue and product balances.
  • Assess fire, thermal-runaway, combustible-dust, toxic-material and emergency-response risks.
  • Review testwork, pilot results, operating references, equipment selection and scale-up evidence.
  • Evaluate sample programs, cell testing, customer qualification and acceptance schedules.
  • Reconcile claimed production capacity with feed availability, yield and saleable-product output.
  • Identify fatal flaws, decisive information gaps and additional testing required before advancement.
  • Evaluate power, water, reagents, utilities, logistics and waste-management requirements.
  • Contribute to capital-cost, operating-cost, schedule and implementation assumptions.
  • Assess feedstock contracts, customer concentration, offtake, pricing and project economics.
  • Evaluate provenance, traceability and closed-loop supply-chain arrangements.
  • Identify realistic opportunities for U.S. equipment, engineering, technology and services.
  • Develop or review feasibility-study, technical-assistance or pilot-project terms of reference, budgets and schedules.
  • Participate in sponsor, government, supplier, laboratory, automaker, battery-manufacturer or financing-source discussions.
  • Support international meetings, site visits and field verification when required.
  • Prepare concise findings and recommendations for senior government decision-makers.
  • Serve as a discipline lead, contributor, same-discipline alternate or independent technical reviewer.

Required Qualifications
Candidates should possess:
  • At least 7-10 years of directly relevant battery-material, recycling, chemical-processing, manufacturing or product-qualification experience.
  • A degree in chemical engineering, metallurgy, materials science, electrochemistry, mineral processing, chemistry, mechanical engineering or a closely related field.
  • Direct responsibility for identifiable battery-material plants, recycling facilities, pilot programs, qualification programs, feasibility studies or operating-improvement assignments.
  • Demonstrated ability to connect feed characteristics, process recovery, product quality, customer qualification, safety and economics.
  • Experience developing or independently reviewing testwork, mass balances, process criteria, operating data or qualification evidence.
  • Strong written and verbal English-language communication skills.
  • Ability to prepare concise, decision-oriented technical work.
  • Ability to collaborate across processing, safety, environmental, commercial, automotive and financial disciplines.
  • Either U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent-resident status in the United States.
  • Legal authorization to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.
  • Willingness and ability to travel internationally when an assignment requires it.
  • No known employment, confidentiality, intellectual-property, noncompete or conflict-of-interest restriction that would prevent participation.

Operating, commissioning, scale-up, product-development and customer-qualification experience is particularly valuable.
Application Information Requested
Please submit a résumé and a brief response identifying:
  1. The battery materials, chemistries, recycling feeds and products with which you have direct experience.
  2. Your strongest battery-material, recycling or product-qualification specialties.
  3. Up to five representative plants, projects, pilots, qualification programs or studies and your personal responsibilities on each.
  4. The development stages you have supported, including research, pilot, demonstration, feasibility, design, construction, commissioning, operations or customer qualification.
  5. Your experience developing or reviewing material balances, test programs, process criteria or qualification evidence.
  6. Countries and regions in which you have worked.
  7. Whether you can serve as a discipline lead, independent reviewer, or both.
  8. Your current U.S. location.
  9. Whether you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
  10. Your availability during the next 30 days.
  11. Your ability to travel internationally and any geographic restrictions.
  12. Your anticipated hourly rate.
  13. Any actual or potential conflicts involving governments, project sponsors, technology providers, battery companies, automakers, recyclers, engineering firms or current employers.

Engagement Conditions
This is a contingent opportunity supporting anticipated government-funded assignments. No employment, contract award, minimum workload or particular assignment is guaranteed.
Selection for an assignment will depend on contract award, material and project requirements, qualifications, availability, eligibility, conflicts, travel requirements, mutually acceptable compensation and execution of appropriate employment or consulting documentation.
Axyde may tailor and reformat selected résumés for proposal compliance without materially changing the candidate's qualifications or experience.
Axyde Analytics
Strategic minerals •Supply-chain security •U.S. industrial base

Apply