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Remote Pilot Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA (NOW HIRING)

Remote Pilot information

See Santa Rosa, CA salary details

$54.1K

$143.1K

$219.8K

How much do remote pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for remote pilot in Santa Rosa, CA is $143,135.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $109,300.00 and $169,500.00 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.

How do you become a remote pilot?

To become a remote pilot, you need to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate from the appropriate aviation authority by passing a knowledge test covering regulations, airspace, and safety procedures. You must also be at least 16 years old, pass a background check, and operate drones within the guidelines set for commercial or recreational flying, often using specific remote control equipment and adhering to safety protocols.

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.

How much is Walmart paying drone pilots?

Walmart drone pilots typically earn between $15 and $25 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of the delivery or surveillance tasks. The role often requires a commercial drone license and familiarity with operating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in a retail or logistics environment.

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.

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. Experienced pilots working in sectors like film, agriculture, or security may earn higher salaries, especially with specialized skills and FAA certifications.

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.

What does a remote pilot do?

A remote pilot operates unmanned aircraft systems (drones) for various purposes such as aerial photography, surveying, or inspection. They are responsible for controlling the drone, following safety regulations, and ensuring proper operation, often requiring certification and knowledge of airspace rules.
What are the most commonly searched types of Pilot jobs in Santa Rosa, CA? The most popular types of Pilot jobs in Santa Rosa, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Remote Pilot jobs in Santa Rosa, CA? For Remote Pilot jobs in Santa Rosa, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Remote Pilot jobs in Santa Rosa, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Remote Pilot jobs in Santa Rosa, CA are:
What cities near Santa Rosa, CA are hiring for Remote Pilot jobs? Cities near Santa Rosa, CA with the most Remote Pilot job openings:
Infographic showing various Remote Pilot job openings in Santa Rosa, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $143,135 per year, or $68.8 per hour.
Program Manager, Issuer Partnerships

Program Manager, Issuer Partnerships

Block

Bodega Bay, CA • On-site, Remote

Other

Posted yesterday


Block rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

10th of 20 rated payment service providers


Job description

It all started with an idea at Block in 2013. Initially built to take the pain out of peer-to-peer payments, Cash App has gone from a simple product with a single purpose to a dynamic ecosystem, developing unique financial products, including Afterpay/Clearpay, to provide a better way to send, spend, invest, borrow and save to our 50+ million monthly active customers. We want to redefine the world's relationship with money to make it more relatable, instantly available, and universally accessible.
Today, Cash App has thousands of employees working globally across office and remote locations, with a culture geared toward innovation, collaboration and impact. We've been a distributed team since day one, and many of our roles can be done remotely from the countries where Cash App operates. No matter the location, we tailor our experience to ensure our employees are creative, productive, and happy.

The Role

We're looking for a senior individual-contributor program manager to help scale Block's Issuing programs through best-in-class partner management. Sitting within the Issuing team and reporting to an Issuing leader, you will operate independently as the DRI for a portfolio of our issuer and processor relationships (bank partners, BIN sponsors, and card processors). You'll set program direction, own outcomes from partner onboarding through launch and into steady-state operations, and partner closely with Product, Engineering, Compliance, Legal, and Operations to deliver compliant, performant, and scalable card experiences for Block's customers. This is a high-autonomy role: you'll be expected to navigate ambiguity, make consequential decisions with limited oversight, and engage executive counterparts at our partners and internally.

You Will
  • Independently own a portfolio of issuer and processor relationships end-to-end: program governance cadences, escalations, contract negotiations and amendments, change requests, and quarterly business reviews-acting as the primary point of contact with partner executives.
  • Drive partner onboarding and product launches: coordinate diligence, technical integration, BIN setup, network and bank approvals, pilot scope, and GA launch readiness across all stakeholders.
  • Be the connective tissue across Product, Engineering, Compliance, Risk, Legal, Operations, and Finance: translate partner requirements (network rules, bank policies, local regulatory obligations) into actionable internal plans and accelerate decisions.
  • Set and drive program execution against the Issuing roadmap: define milestones, surface and resolve risks early, make calls on tradeoffs, and keep partners and internal stakeholders aligned on timelines and dependencies without needing day-to-day direction.
  • Build durable partner operating mechanisms: SLAs, oversight reporting, incident and SEV handling protocols, MSA-driven obligations, and audit-ready documentation that meet partner, network, and internal policy standards.
  • Be a go-to expert on the issuing ecosystem at Block: stay current on regulatory developments, network mandates, and partner ecosystem changes; shape program strategy and advise senior leadership on partner selection, sequencing, and tradeoffs.
  • Communicate with clarity and apply AI for leverage: deliver concise, action-oriented updates to executive stakeholders; escalate risks early with data-backed options; and use AI/LLM-powered tooling for partner reporting, diligence workflows, and document review to reduce cycle time.
You Have
  • 8+ years of program or product operations management in fintech, issuing, banking, or payments, with direct experience independently owning bank partner and/or card processor relationships at a senior level.
  • Working knowledge of card issuing economics, BIN sponsorship models, network rules (Visa/Mastercard), and the regulatory landscape for consumer card products.
  • Demonstrated track record of independently leading complex cross-functional programs through significant ambiguity-from partner onboarding through launch-with full ownership of strategy, timelines, scope, and risk.
  • Experience independently designing and standing up scalable program operating mechanisms (governance forums, SLAs, oversight reporting, incident response, playbooks) in a regulated environment.
  • Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills; adept at influencing without authority across executive partner counterparts and internal product/engineering/compliance teams.
  • Track record of building partner trust at the executive level and operating with discretion and sound judgment across sensitive commercial and regulatory matters.
  • A builder's mindset paired with senior judgment-comfortable with ambiguity, rapid iteration, and hands-on execution in a 0-to-1 product environment without needing structured direction.
Nice to Have
  • Experience launching consumer financial products with multiple bank or processor partners; deep familiarity with at least one Tier 1 issuing bank or processor.
  • Background in compliance program management (KYC, AML, BSA, sanctions) or partner oversight in a regulated fintech.

EEOC

We're working to build a more inclusive economy where our customers have equal access to opportunity, and we strive to live by these same values in building our workplace. Block is an equal opportunity employer evaluating all employees and job applicants without regard to identity or any legally protected class. We will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with state and local laws and "fair chance" ordinances.
We believe in being fair, and are committed to an inclusive interview experience, including providing reasonable accommodations to disabled applicants throughout the recruitment process. We encourage applicants to share any needed accommodations with their recruiter, who will treat these requests as confidentially as possible. Want to learn more about what we're doing to build a workplace that is fair and square? Check out our I+D page.

While there is no specific deadline to apply for this role, U.S. roles are typically open for an average of 55 days before being filled by a successful candidate. Please refer to the date listed at the top of this job page for when this role was first posted.


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