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Remote Pilot Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Ecolab

Industry Technical Consultant

Boydton, VA · Remote

$135K - $203K/yr

Lead innovation pilot applications, technical trials and market trials * Create, manage, and ... This position is remote and will primarily support customers in North America with the potential ...

Amivero

GenAI Developer

Ashburn, VA · On-site +1

$110K - $149K/yr

Design, develop, and implement custom software solutions for a variety of AI/ML-related pilot ... Experience working in a geographically dispersed, remote team. * Understanding of Data Science ...

New

CACI International, Inc.

Gen AI Developer

Ashburn, VA · On-site

Design, develop, and implement custom software solutions for a variety of AI/ML-related pilot ... Experience working in a geographically dispersed, remote team. * Understanding of Data Science ...

CACI International, Inc.

Gen AI Developer

Ashburn, VA · On-site

Design, develop, and implement custom software solutions for a variety of AI/ML-related pilot ... Experience working in a geographically dispersed, remote team. * Understanding of Data Science ...

Amivero

GenAI Developer

Ashburn, VA · On-site +1

Design, develop, and implement custom software solutions for a variety of AI/ML-related pilot ... Experience working in a geographically dispersed, remote team. * Understanding of Data Science ...

New

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsRemote Pilot JobsRemote Pilot Jobs in Virginia

Remote Pilot information

See Virginia salary details

$49.1K

$129.8K

$199.3K

How much do remote pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for remote pilot in Virginia is $129,793.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $99,100.00 and $153,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Remote Pilot, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Remote Pilot, you need strong spatial awareness, technical understanding of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and typically a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA (Part 107 in the U.S.). Familiarity with flight planning software, GPS navigation systems, and drone-specific hardware is often required. Excellent situational awareness, communication, and problem-solving skills set outstanding remote pilots apart. These competencies are crucial for ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant drone operations across diverse environments.

What is the difference between Remote Pilot vs Drone Operator?

AspectRemote PilotDrone Operator
CertificationsFAA Part 107 Remote Pilot CertificateOften holds similar certifications, but may not be required to operate commercially
Work EnvironmentTypically responsible for flight planning, safety, and compliance; may oversee multiple dronesPrimarily focuses on operating drones during missions or shoots
Industry UsageUsed across industries like surveying, agriculture, filmmaking, and inspectionCommonly used in filming, photography, and recreational activities

The main difference is that a Remote Pilot holds specific certifications and oversees drone operations, ensuring safety and compliance, while a Drone Operator primarily focuses on flying drones during specific tasks. Both roles are integral in industries utilizing drone technology, but the Remote Pilot often has broader responsibilities and regulatory knowledge.

What are Remote Pilots?

Remote Pilots, often known as drone pilots, are professionals trained to operate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from a distance. They are responsible for controlling drones for various purposes such as aerial photography, surveying, inspections, and delivery services. Remote Pilots must understand flight regulations, safety procedures, and the technical aspects of their equipment. In many countries, they need to obtain specific certifications or licenses to operate drones commercially. This role is increasingly important in industries like agriculture, construction, and emergency response.

What can you do as a remote pilot?

A remote pilot operates unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones, often for purposes such as aerial photography, surveying, inspection, or delivery. They are responsible for controlling the drone, following safety regulations, and ensuring proper operation, often requiring certification and knowledge of airspace rules.

How much is Walmart paying drone pilots?

Walmart has hired drone pilots for delivery and inventory tasks, with reported pay rates typically ranging from $15 to $25 per hour. Compensation can vary based on experience, location, and the specific responsibilities of the role, often requiring FAA Part 107 certification and knowledge of drone operation.

What are some common challenges Remote Pilots face when operating drones for commercial purposes?

Remote Pilots often encounter challenges such as maintaining strong situational awareness when flying drones beyond visual line of sight, navigating complex airspace regulations, and ensuring safe operations in changing weather conditions. Additionally, balancing real-time communication with team members, such as visual observers or project managers, is crucial for successful missions. Staying current with technology updates and regulatory changes is also essential for continued success in this fast-evolving field.

Are remote pilots in demand?

Remote pilots, also known as drone operators, are in increasing demand across industries such as agriculture, construction, photography, and inspection services. The growth of drone technology and the need for certified pilots with FAA Part 107 certification contribute to job opportunities in this field.

How much do remotely piloted aircraft pilots make?

Remotely piloted aircraft pilots, or drone pilots, typically earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and certification level. Salaries can vary based on whether they work for government agencies, private companies, or as freelancers, and often require specialized training and FAA certification.

What Is a Remote Pilot?

A remote pilot controls an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). As a remote pilot, your duties include flying and maintaining a drone and its systems, as well as remaining up-to-date on all FAA regulations regarding UAVs. To become a remote pilot, you must be at least 16 years old, be physically capable of handling a drone, and pass an FAA certification exam to demonstrate your knowledge and ability to manage the risks of flight. Career pilots must also be certified to handle unmanned aerial vehicles.

More about Remote Pilot jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Pilot jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Pilot jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Remote Pilot jobs in Virginia? For Remote Pilot jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Remote Pilot jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Remote Pilot jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Remote Pilot jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Remote Pilot job openings:
Remote Pilot jobs near you
Infographic showing various Remote Pilot job openings in Virginia as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 100% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $129,793 per year, or $62.4 per hour.
Senior Technical Lead -- R&D Mission Systems

Senior Technical Lead -- R&D Mission Systems

Rackner

Boston, MA • Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

Senior Technical Lead — R&D Mission Systems

Location: United States
Work Model: Remote
Travel: Approximately 15% for R&D events, technical demos, and collaboration sessions
Clearance: U.S. citizenship required. Active Secret clearance preferred; candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.

Shape Mission-Focused R&D From Idea to Impact

Rackner is seeking a Senior Technical Lead — R&D Mission Systems to help shape, demonstrate, and advance mission-focused technical capabilities for government customers.

This is a high-visibility technical leadership role for someone who wants to stay close to the technology while having more influence over what gets built, why it matters, and how it reaches mission users.

You will work across customers, mission stakeholders, technical leadership, and R&D engineers to understand mission needs, gather requirements, guide technical direction, and help turn early ideas into usable software capabilities.

This is not a traditional sales role, and it is not a purely heads-down engineering role. The right person is technically credible, mission-aware, comfortable with ambiguity, and able to explain complex ideas clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

The work may involve mission command, battle management, AI/data workflows, analytics, automation, data pipelines, prototypes, software architecture, and technical demos.

What You'll Drive

  • Lead mission-focused R&D efforts, demos, and customer-facing technical engagements
  • Work with customers, mission users, and internal stakeholders to understand what needs to be built
  • Translate mission workflows, user feedback, and early requirements into clear technical direction
  • Guide architecture, system design, technical tradeoffs, and prototype planning
  • Partner with R&D engineers to move ideas from concept to working software or demonstrable capability
  • Support prototypes involving mission systems, AI/data workflows, analytics, automation, APIs, or data pipelines
  • Explain system behavior, constraints, risks, and tradeoffs to technical and non-technical audiences
  • Represent Rackner with credibility and professionalism in technical meetings, events, demos, and feedback sessions

What You'll Bring

  • U.S. citizenship required due to federal contract requirements
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
  • Experience leading or significantly contributing to software, data, AI/ML, mission systems, or complex technical delivery work
  • Strong technical credibility with modern software engineering, system design, APIs, data workflows, cloud environments, or related technologies
  • Ability to gather, clarify, and translate customer, user, or mission needs into technical requirements
  • Experience working in ambiguous, fast-moving, prototype-driven, or customer-facing technical environments
  • Ability to explain technical tradeoffs, architecture decisions, constraints, risks, and next steps
  • Ownership of technical outcomes from concept through implementation, demonstration, or operational use
  • Strong communication skills with engineers, technical leaders, customers, and non-engineering stakeholders
  • Willingness to travel approximately 15% for R&D events, demos, collaboration sessions, or mission-focused engagements

Helpful Experience

  • Active Secret clearance or higher
  • Background supporting DoD, Air Force, Space Force, mission command, battle management, C2, ISR, mission planning, autonomy, defense software, or national security programs
  • Experience engaging with operators, mission users, military stakeholders, government customers, or non-engineering audiences
  • Experience gathering product requirements, translating user workflows, or helping shape technical roadmaps
  • Hands-on experience with Python, APIs, backend services, data workflows, AI/data systems, automation, or analytics
  • Exposure to data pipelines, structured or semi-structured data, JSON/schema transformation, data validation, model workflows, MLOps, or mission data systems
  • Familiarity with cloud platforms, containers, Kubernetes, Docker, Terraform, Helm, CI/CD, observability, DevSecOps, or secure software delivery practices
  • Experience building or supporting prototypes, technical demos, pilots, field events, customer reviews, or live exercises
  • Ability to guide architecture decisions and help teams balance speed, quality, mission needs, and technical constraints
  • Background in R&D, defense tech, applied AI, data systems, mission systems, or startup-like technical environments

Travel & Event Support

This role requires approximately 15% travel for R&D events, technical demos, collaboration sessions, and mission-focused engagements.

Travel is planned in advance whenever possible and may include customer-facing or internal engineering events.

About Rackner

Rackner is a software consultancy focused on building mission-critical systems for the U.S. government. Our teams work across cloud platforms, DevSecOps, AI/ML, distributed systems, and modern software engineering initiatives supporting federal agencies and national security missions.

Rackner engineers collaborate closely with technical leadership, program teams, and mission stakeholders to design, build, and improve software systems that address complex operational challenges.

Benefits & Perks

Rackner invests in its people, because when you grow, we all win.

  • Company-supported certifications aligned to current and future program work, including cloud, Kubernetes, DevSecOps, security, AI/ML, project management, and related technical areas
  • Clear advancement tracks and future leadership opportunities
  • 401(k) with 100% match up to 6%
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage
  • Generous PTO and paid holidays
  • Home-office equipment plan and remote work support
  • Fitness and wellness reimbursement
  • Weekly pay schedule and modern perks, including team events

Equal Opportunity

Rackner is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristics.