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Remotely Piloted Aircraft Jobs (NOW HIRING)

General Atomics

CAD Designer - Propulsion

Poway, CA · On-site +1

$27.50 - $38/hr

Job Summary General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars ...

Army National Guard Units

HELICOPTER PILOT

Ronkonkoma, NY · On-site +1

$123K - $161K/yr

Fixed-wing, rotary, or remotely piloted aircraft (RPA). Although a variety of piloting administrative tasks are performed in support of an Army National Guard aviation program, experiences include ...

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How much do remotely piloted aircraft jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for remotely piloted aircraft in the United States is $35.43, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.28 and $49.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a remotely piloted aircraft?

A Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) job involves operating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for various applications such as military surveillance, reconnaissance, commercial inspections, or disaster response. RPA operators control drones remotely, monitor flight data, and ensure mission success while adhering to aviation regulations. These roles require technical skills, situational awareness, and often specialized training or certifications. Careers in this field exist in defense, law enforcement, agriculture, and logistics, among others.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a remotely piloted aircraft operator?

As a Remotely Piloted Aircraft operator, your daily responsibilities may include conducting pre-flight inspections, programming flight paths, monitoring aircraft systems during operations, and troubleshooting technical issues. You will also be responsible for maintaining communication with team members, adhering to airspace regulations, and completing post-flight documentation. Depending on the role, you may collect aerial imagery, survey data, or support specialized missions such as search and rescue or infrastructure inspections. This position often requires both independent decision-making and close collaboration with other crew members, engineers, or clients.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the remotely piloted aircraft position?

To thrive as a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) operator, you need strong spatial awareness, technical aptitude, and typically a relevant certification such as a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA. Familiarity with ground control stations, mission planning software, and real-time data transmission systems is generally required. Attention to detail, effective communication, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are critical soft skills in this field. These competencies ensure safe and effective drone operations, compliance with regulations, and reliable team coordination during complex missions.

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Remotely Piloted Aircraft jobs near you
Infographic showing various Remotely Piloted Aircraft job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 70% Full Time, 27% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 19% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 79% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,696 per year, or $35.4 per hour.

Remotely Piloted Aircraft/Strike Support SME

Andrews, MD • On-site, Remote

Ryde Technologies, LLC
Recruiting and Staffing Services • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about Ryde Technologies, LLCexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

We are seeking a Remotely Piloted Aircraft/Strike Support SME to support our client at Joint Base Andrews, MD. The job will be working for the Air National Guard Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA/Strike), Cyber/IT and Command and Control (C2) Staff Technical Support Services providing Functional Area Manager (FAM) Support to NGB/A2/6 and the RPA/Strike and C2 functions within NGB/A3/10. Provide functional and technical SME support to the NGB/A2/6 and NGB/A3/10 staff on program capabilities, functional area management, strategic planning, and equipment procurement/sustainment for the units, and personnel. Duties may include but not limited to budgetary planning, system architecture, and functional management at the NGB for ANG ISR, RPA/Strike, Cyber/IT and C2 asset integration into the active-duty U.S. Air Force (USAF) architecture.
The tasks include the following:
  • Draft/Edit ANG unit DOC statements.
  • Assist the ANG staff by monitoring, managing, and contributing to the development of AF-wide mission capabilities, weapons, and tactics.
  • Coordinate/Collaborate with ANG and AF staff, and operational field units on the budget, manpower, training, and technical resources necessary to effectively establish and transition ANG ISR, RPA, Strike and C2 units.
  • Review all (conversion or other) FINPLAN requests and Unfunded Requests (UFRs) from field; provide ANG FAM with a recommendation of which items should be funded; assist FAM in obtaining required documentation to fund FAM approved requests.
  • Serve as the contact at the ANG staff for issues involving ANG ISR, RPA, Strike and C2 operations and capabilities.
  • Collaborate with ANG ISR, RPA, Strike and C2 operational field units, appropriate HAF staff, MAJCOMs and DoD agencies on management and policy matters pertaining to readiness programs and activities, deployments and conferences and ensure that manpower, training, and sustainment supports readiness requirements in accordance with applicable AFIs and ANGIs.
  • Assist FAMs with the management and oversight of personnel and equipment to support training, planning, and execution.
  • Assist FAMs with recommendations, management, and maintenance of UTCs, UMDs, and DOC statements for ANG ISR, RPA, Strike and C2 units.
  • Assist FAMs with reviewing and tracking unit readiness reports and force posturing. Identify trends, recommend reporting criteria and provide roll-up summaries/reports/graphs by mission set.
  • Recommend criteria for, and monitor unit readiness reporting, force posturing, analyses, and execution activities.
  • Monitor ANG ISR, RPA, Strike and C2 unit activities in all areas pertinent to ANG programs as previously listed for possible improvements or changes and inform appropriate ANG FAM.
  • Analyze all ISR, RPA, Strike and C2 unit portfolio functional and system issues and proposed requirements; recommend solutions to the ANG staff and upon their selection of a solution work with the units, the gaining MAJCOM, and HAF to resolve the issue as necessary.
  • Travel to ISR, RPA, Strike and C2 Program Management Reviews (PMRs), site visits, SAVs, SATAFs to determine the status of programs, system installations/upgrades, effectiveness of support to operations, and report on effectiveness of support operations and to establish and coordinate action on related requirements.
  • Communicate guidance to the field and coordinate with ANG unit commanders to ensure compliance with USAF, MAJCOM, or NGB policy.
  • Draft recommendations for ANG ISR, RPA, Strike, C2 and Cyber/IT combat readiness improvements or changes.
  • Assist NGB staff by providing cost and programming data for NGREA requirements.
  • Inform appropriate ANG Program Element Monitors (PEMs) and FAMs of any current or potential funding issues and provide expert ISR, RPA, Strike and C2 systems requirement recommendations in support of the POM build process for ANG ISR, RPA, Strike and C2 units and missions.
  • Maintain awareness of weapon system installations at ANG ISR, RPA, Strike and C2 sites and units; inform appropriate ANG weapon system FAM and/or ANG Systems officer of the progress, to include identifying any potential delays within 2 working days of notification of the potential delay.
  • Analyze ISR, RPA, Strike and C2 systems issues and recommend solutions to the NGB staff, upon their selection of a solution work with the units, the SPO, NGB staff and the gaining MAJCOM to resolve the issue.
  • Work with HAF, MAJCOMs, System Program Offices (SPOs) and NGB staffs and ANG field units to synchronize and coordinate current and future ANG ISR, RPA, Strike and C2 system installations and capabilities and provide "cradle-to-grave" systems support.
  • Work with appropriate FAMs to manage ANG ISR, RPA, Strike and C2 personnel and units, including resolution of wartime requirements and authorization mismatches (UTC versus UMD); monitor DOC statements and DRRS reports.

Qualifications
CLEARANCE: Active Top Secret with SCI access
Bachelor's degree with seven (7) years of relevant experience or no degree with ten (10) years of working experience in the related field work or US Air Force FW/ISR support and operations.
The Government anticipates travel in support of this effort. The contractor will be authorized travel expenses consistent with the substantive provisions of the Joint Travel Regulation (JTR) and the limitation of funds specified in this contract
Security Clearance
Top Secret with SCI eligibility

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