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Remotely Piloted Aircraft Sensor Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Joby Aviation

Senior Software Engineer

Santa Cruz, CA · Remote

$117K - $193K/yr

Imagine a piloted air taxi that takes off vertically, then quietly carries you and your fellow ... With plans to launch our aircraft in the US and Dubai, we're now scaling manufacturing and ...

Joby Aviation

Senior Software Engineer

Santa Cruz, CA · Remote

$117K - $193K/yr

With plans to launch our aircraft in the US and Dubai, we're now scaling manufacturing and ... Experience designing and operating reliable, scalable 247 systems. * Familiarity with observability ...

Slip Robotics

Robotics Perception Engineer

Atlanta, GA · On-site +1

... sensor modeling Remote Work Requirements This role can be filled remotely. Remote team members are ... The chance to work on robots that are operating in production today-not a research project

SciTec

Senior Numerical Algorithm Software Engineer

Boulder, CO · On-site +1

$127K - $167K/yr

... aircraft survivability missions. Important Notice: SciTec exclusively works on U.S. government ... Define and execute quantitative performance assessments of algorithms and sensor systems, including ...

@Orchard

Senior Field Service Engineer

Minot, ND · Remote

Act as a subject matter expert, training operators and customer personnel on system safety ... Proven ability to troubleshoot IP networking, RF spectrum monitoring, and sensor fusion ...

FMS Aerospace

Technical Writer

Huntsville, AL · On-site +1

Bridger Aerospace has grown from operating a single plane to commanding a significant Air Attack fleet, Special Missions Sensor Equipped Aircraft, and the largest privately operated Super Scooper ...

Redhorse Corporation

Data Analyst

Arlington, VA · On-site +1

Data Analysts will serve primarily as the operators of the PANDA platform's Data Cleaning, Analyzer ... Delivery Teams will each be responsible for a subset of assigned aircraft platforms and respective ...

Textron

Customer Service Engineer

... aircraft and aftermarket sales. Promote use of Bell parts and services. This position is remotely located and operated independently of direct supervision for decision-making and day-to-day ...

Camp

Account Manager

... aircraft globally. Air charter operators and flight departments are provided with a fully cloud ... Work remotely within the conterminous United States adhering to Eastern Standard Time office hours.

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Remotely Piloted Aircraft Sensor Operator information

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How much do remotely piloted aircraft sensor operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for remotely piloted aircraft sensor operator in the United States is $25.55, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $33.41 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much does a sensor operator make?

Remotely Piloted Aircraft Sensor Operators typically earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and security clearance. Salaries can vary based on the employer, certifications, and whether the role involves additional responsibilities such as data analysis or mission planning.

Do RPA sensor operators get flight pay?

Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) sensor operators typically do not receive flight pay because they operate aircraft remotely from ground stations rather than being physically onboard. Compensation structures vary by employer and military branch, but flight pay is generally reserved for crew members who are physically present on the aircraft during missions. Sensor operators focus on monitoring and controlling sensors and systems, often working in a ground-based environment.

What does an RPA sensor operator do?

An RPA sensor operator is responsible for controlling and monitoring sensors on remotely piloted aircraft to gather data for surveillance, mapping, or reconnaissance missions. They operate specialized equipment, interpret sensor data, and ensure the proper functioning of sensors during flight, often requiring technical skills and certification in UAV operations.

What is the difference between Remotely Piloted Aircraft Sensor Operator vs Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Pilot?

AspectRemotely Piloted Aircraft Sensor OperatorUnmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Pilot
CredentialsFAA Part 107 certification, sensor operation trainingFAA Part 107 certification, pilot certification
Work EnvironmentOperate sensors and cameras remotely, often in surveillance or reconnaissance missionsFly and navigate drones, often in mapping or delivery tasks
Industry UsageMilitary, defense, surveillance, intelligenceCommercial, agriculture, photography, delivery

The main difference is that the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Sensor Operator focuses on operating sensors and cameras on drones, while the UAS Pilot is responsible for flying and navigating the drone itself. Both roles require FAA certification, but their responsibilities and industry applications differ significantly.

How much does a remotely piloted aircraft RPA sensor operator make?

Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) sensor operators typically earn between $60,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and security clearance. They often require specialized training in sensor systems and may work in military or government sectors with shift schedules and operational demands.

What are Remotely Piloted Aircraft Sensor Operators?

Remotely Piloted Aircraft Sensor Operators are professionals who control and monitor sensors and surveillance equipment on unmanned aerial vehicles (drones). They are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data from these aircraft, which can include imagery, video, and other sensor information. These operators play a crucial role in military, law enforcement, and commercial operations by providing real-time intelligence and situational awareness. Their duties often involve mission planning, equipment maintenance, and working closely with pilots and mission commanders to achieve operational objectives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Sensor Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Sensor Operator, you need strong spatial awareness, attention to detail, and knowledge of aeronautical systems, often supported by military training or relevant certifications. Familiarity with remote piloting control systems, mapping software, and sensor technologies such as infrared or electro-optical cameras is essential. Excellent communication, teamwork, and decision-making skills are crucial for coordinating with flight crews and interpreting data accurately. These abilities ensure effective mission execution, data integrity, and safe operation in complex and dynamic environments.

What are the typical collaboration dynamics between a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Sensor Operator and other crew members during a mission?

As a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Sensor Operator, you will work closely with the pilot and mission intelligence team to ensure the success of surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Effective communication and real-time information sharing are crucial, as you coordinate sensor operation, target identification, and data collection. You may also collaborate with ground support and maintenance personnel before and after flights. Building strong teamwork skills and maintaining situational awareness are essential to managing the fast-paced, detail-oriented environment typical of these operations.
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Remotely Piloted Aircraft Sensor Operator jobs near you
Senior Software Engineer

Senior Software Engineer

Joby Aviation

Santa Cruz, CA • Remote

$117K - $193K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

Imagine a piloted air taxi that takes off vertically, then quietly carries you and your fellow passengers over the congested city streets below, enabling you to spend more time with the people and places that matter most. At Joby, we've been working to make that dream a reality since 2009 and we're now in the final stages of certifying our aircraft with the FAA. With plans to launch our aircraft in the US and Dubai, we're now scaling manufacturing and preparing for the launch of our commercial service.


Working as a Senior Software Engineer, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining system-level software on Linux platforms that support Joby Aviation's commercial and flight test operations. You will work with a small team of engineers to design, build, and optimize infrastructure and platform software for our edge deployments. This role is ideal for engineers who are passionate about software development and enjoy solving complex problems, with a focus on reliability, performance, and security. This position requires the ability to multi-task, adjust priorities, and thrive in fast-paced situations. The ideal candidate is energetic, meticulous, self-motivated, and passionate about building robust system software that enables data-driven applications at scale. 


  • Lead the design and implementation of frameworks to support remote monitoring and management of edge devices, working collaboratively with stakeholders and application developers to define requirements, shape architecture, and deliver a robust, scalable solution. 
  • Build and manage reliable, observable software services for edge computing environments (e.g., aircraft hangars, mobile units, trucks), including telemetry pipelines, metrics collection, alerting, and centralized visibility into fleet-wide device health. 
  • Troubleshoot and resolve issues spanning application logic, inter-service communication, network connectivity, and system-level configuration in remote and constrained environments. 
  • Support Kubernetes-based deployments in edge environments (e.g., K3s, MicroK8s), contributing to deployment patterns and operational tooling as needed. 
  • Drive engineering quality through code review, root cause analysis, and advocacy for sound software design principles applied to both traditional software as well as infrastructure as code. 
  • Mentor engineers and champion best practices in system software development and operational excellence. 

  • University degree in computer science, computer engineering, physics, mathematics, or similar field. 
  • 6+ years of experience in relevant industry. 
  • Strong software development background, with demonstrated experience designing and building distributed systems, services, or frameworks. 
  • Expertise in Python and/or a compiled language (e.g., Go, C++) for building production-quality software services. 
  • Hands-on experience with Kubernetes, including both cloud-native and edge deployments (e.g., K3s, MicroK8s). 
  • Strong understanding of Linux system administration and networking, including VPNs, routing, and troubleshooting techniques. 
  • Experience with AWS, including EKS, EC2, IAM, S3, VPC, and related services. 
  • Proficiency in configuration management tools such as Ansible, and version-controlled infrastructure as code best practices. 
  • Ability to support and work closely with a myriad of colleagues who are experts in aircraft design, systems engineering, test engineering, flight test operations, data analytics, and machine learning. 
  • Experience designing and operating reliable, scalable 24×7 systems. 
  • Familiarity with observability tools such as Prometheus and/or Grafana. 

Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $117,700 - $193,900/yr.

The compensation package will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.


Joby also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan with a company match, an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.

Joby is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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