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Senior Drone Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

XTEND

Senior Drone Lab Technician

Tampa, FL · On-site

As a Senior Lab Technician , you will be a key enabler of XTEND's engineering and operations teams ... You will support engineering teams during development cycles, help lead daily lab operations, and ...

Parsons Corporation

Senior Engineer

Aberdeen, MD · On-site

$112K - $154K/yr

Parsons is seeking an Senior Engineer to support our cutting-edge Drone Armor counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) program. This role provides professional engineering with emphasis on electronic ...

Parsons Corporation

Senior Software Developer

Aberdeen, MD · On-site

$58.50 - $77.50/hr

Parsons is seeking a Senior Software Developer to support our cutting-edge Drone Armor counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) program. The Senior Developer will design and implement logical ...

GliaCell Technologies

Senior DevOps Engineer

Annapolis, MD · On-site

$170K - $260K/yr

Are you a Senior DevOps Engineer who is ready for a new challenge that will launch your career to ... Tired of being treated like a company drone? * Tired of promised adventures during the hiring phase ...

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How much do senior drone developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior drone developer in the United States is $80,287.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,500.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Senior Drone Developer vs Drone Software Engineer?

AspectSenior Drone DeveloperDrone Software Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in Computer Science, Engineering; experience in drone techSimilar credentials, often with specialized software development skills
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, tech companies, drone manufacturing firmsTech firms, startups, aerospace companies
Industry UsageDesigning, developing, and testing drone systemsDeveloping drone software applications and algorithms
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding senior roles in drone software developmentEntry to mid-level drone software development roles

The main difference between a Senior Drone Developer and a Drone Software Engineer lies in experience level and scope. Senior Drone Developers typically lead projects, oversee design, and have extensive industry experience, while Drone Software Engineers focus on coding and software implementation. Both roles require similar credentials and work in related environments, but Senior Drone Developers hold more responsibility and strategic oversight.

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Senior Drone Developer jobs near you
Senior Drone Lab Technician

Senior Drone Lab Technician

XTEND

Tampa, FL • On-site

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Description
XTEND is building the next-generation robotics and autonomy platform that delivers real-time telemetry, command-and-control, and advanced data analytics for mission-critical operations. Our end users include military operators, law enforcement units, and public safety teams who rely on robotic systems in high-risk, high-impact environments where milliseconds matter and failure is not an option.
As a Senior Lab Technician, you will be a key enabler of XTEND's engineering and operations teams, responsible for building, configuring, testing, and maintaining robotic systems and supporting infrastructure. You will support engineering teams during development cycles, help lead daily lab operations, and ensuring systems are mission-ready, test data is reliable, and hardware performs exactly as intended before it ever reaches an operator in the field.
This role sits at the nexus of hardware, software, and operations. You will work closely with engineers, flight operations, and program teams to execute test plans, diagnose failures, and continuously improve system reliability. Your work will translate directly into safer, more effective deployments for end users operating in real-world, high-consequence scenarios.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead and mentor a team of technicians in the assembly, integration, and maintenance of drone systems and related platforms
  • Support engineering teams with prototype development, system integration, and testing
  • Perform laboratory testing, diagnostics, debugging, and troubleshooting of mechanical, electrical, RF, and software-related issues
  • Execute quality control (QC) procedures to ensure systems meet internal and customer standards
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient lab environment
  • Document processes, test results, and technical findings as required
  • Interface with engineers to resolve design, integration, or production issues

Requirements
  • Minimum 3+ years of hands-on experience building drones or other RC (remote-controlled) systems
  • Strong technical background in: Electronic components and wiring, Soldering and rework, Mechanical assembly and repair
  • Experience performing lab work, system testing, diagnostics, and quality control
  • Familiarity with RF (radio frequency) and communication components
  • Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with engineering and production teams

Bonus / Preferred Qualifications
  • Basic knowledge and operation of Linux-based systems
  • Experience with Priority ERP
  • Experience using Monday.com or similar project/task management tools
  • Experience working with composite materials
  • Prior experience supporting R&D, prototypes, or military UAS programs
  • Team leadership or lab ownership experience

Located in the Tampa area - on site,

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