ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Uas Operator Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

All JobsUas Operator JobsUas Operator Jobs in Michigan

Uas Operator information

See Michigan salary details

$9

$17

$25

How much do uas operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for uas operator in Michigan is $17.49, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.66 and $19.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Do Uas Operators make good money?

UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) operators can earn a competitive salary, often ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 annually depending on experience, location, and industry. Certified operators with specialized skills in drone technology and regulations tend to have higher earning potential, especially in sectors like surveying, agriculture, or film production.

How to get a job as a Uas Operator?

To become a Uas (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) Operator, candidates typically need a combination of relevant education, such as a high school diploma or equivalent, and specialized training in drone operation. Obtaining a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA or relevant authority is often required, along with hands-on experience with drone equipment and safety protocols. Strong technical skills, attention to detail, and knowledge of airspace regulations are essential for securing employment in this field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a UAS operator?

To thrive as a UAS Operator, you need strong piloting skills, situational awareness, and a deep understanding of drone technology, typically supported by an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate or relevant military/commercial credentials. Familiarity with ground control software, flight planning tools, GPS systems, and UAS maintenance procedures is essential. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help operators excel in both independent missions and collaborative operations. These skills and qualifications ensure safe, efficient, and compliant execution of unmanned aerial systems operations across various applications.

What does a Uas Operator do?

A UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) Operator is responsible for flying and managing drones or unmanned aerial vehicles, often for tasks such as aerial photography, surveying, inspection, or data collection. They operate remote control systems, follow safety protocols, and may need certification or training to ensure proper and safe drone operation.

What is a UAS operator?

A UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) Operator is responsible for piloting drones for various applications, such as aerial surveying, reconnaissance, photography, and inspections. They ensure safe and legal operation by following aviation regulations and mission-specific protocols. UAS Operators may work in industries like defense, agriculture, construction, or emergency response. Their tasks include flight planning, equipment maintenance, data collection, and reporting. Some positions require specialized training or certifications, depending on the type of drone and industry.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a UAS operator?

As a UAS Operator, your daily responsibilities often include pre-flight checks, mission planning, navigating and piloting the drone during operations, and collecting or analyzing aerial data. You may also be responsible for troubleshooting equipment, maintaining logs, and ensuring all flights adhere to regulatory safety standards. Depending on the industry, you could collaborate closely with surveyors, engineers, public safety officials, or media teams. Flexibility is important, as tasks can vary based on client needs, weather conditions, and site locations. This dynamic work environment offers opportunities to continually develop new technical and team-based skills.

What are popular job titles related to Uas Operator jobs in Michigan? For Uas Operator jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Uas Operator jobs in Michigan look for? The top searched job categories for Uas Operator jobs in Michigan are:
Uas Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Uas Operator job openings in Michigan as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 42% Full Time, 55% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $36,379 per year, or $17.5 per hour.

Director of Engineering, Battery Systems

Redwire Defense Tech

Ann Arbor, MI • On-site

$185K - $210K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Description
WORK LOCATION: Ann Arbor, Michigan
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
SALARY RANGE: The anticipated salary range for this role is $185,000 to $210,000 annually. This range reflects a good faith estimate based on the targeted level for the role and typical compensation benchmarks across U.S. locations. Actual compensation may vary depending on the selected candidate's qualifications, experience, geographical location, and internal alignment.
SUMMARY
The Director of Engineering, Battery Systems is the senior technical and operational leader at Redwire Defense Tech (RDT) responsible for defining and executing the full lifecycle delivery of battery systems for Redwire's Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs). Working in close partnership with the CTO and UAS product owners, this role has full responsibility for the development, test, production, and sustainment of battery systems for Redwire's autonomous aircraft. The Director will lead a multidisciplinary engineering organization composed of hardware, software, and manufacturing engineers. This leader is accountable not only for innovation, but also for predictable program execution (cost, schedule, and quality), systems engineering rigor, production scalability, certification, safety, and customer satisfaction in an aerospace and defense environment.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The following job functions are a basic requirement but are not limited to and may be assigned other duties.
  • Serve as the product owner and technical authority for battery systems at RDT
  • Lead an engineering team to design and integrate emerging battery technologies into production end-user battery products, including battery cells, battery management system hardware and software, lightweight battery packaging, and battery chargers.
  • Own the battery R&D budget, including forecasting, resource planning, and cost control.
  • Lead engineering delivery across the full lifecycle: concept development, requirements definition, system architecture, design, integration, verification & validation (V&V), certification, production, and sustainment.
  • Define and execute a multi-year battery technology and product roadmap aligned with business objectives, production quantity, technical performance requirements, and emerging market opportunities in the UAS domain.
  • Act as a senior technical interface with customers, partners, and government stakeholders.
  • Collaborate with product management, sales, and program management to define requirements, value propositions, and product strategies.
  • Establish and monitor engineering KPIs and metrics, including quality, productivity, reliability, and delivery performance.
  • Ensure adherence to safety, quality, and environmental standards.
  • Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory and industry standards (FAA, DoD, STANAG, UN 38.3, etc.).
  • Drive workforce planning, hiring, and succession development aligned with business growth.

REQURIED QUALIFICATIONS
The following are a non-exhaustive list of qualifications for the position:
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field.
  • 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in technology leadership roles, including experience in battery systems, UAS, defense, and/or robotics industries.
  • Deep understanding of integrated battery systems for UAS applications including:
    • Battery cell technologies (e.g. lithium ion and lithium polymer)
    • Battery management systems (BMS), both hardware and software components.
    • Battery packaging approaches to minimize weight while meeting certification requirements and safely surviving end-user abuse.
    • Battery certification and safety requirements (e.g. FAA, DoD, UN38.3)
    • Battery charger technologies, integration and packaging approaches, technical tradeoffs, and requirements
  • A functional understanding of drone systems and their associated battery constraints and operating requirements.
  • Experience delivering real battery products to end users in a production environment.

REDWIRE DEFENSE TECH BENEFITS
  • Matching 401(k)
  • Paid PTO
  • Paid holidays
  • Medical, vision, and dental insurance
  • Group Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
  • HSA and FSA Options
  • Critical Care Plan
  • Accident Care Plan
  • Employee Stock Purchasing Program (ESPP)

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS
This position may require access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). To comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify a US person's status under the ITAR and the EAR.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The work environment may involve a standard office setting while also incorporating elements of a production area. Employees will use standard office equipment, including computers, and must demonstrate stamina to sit or stand while maintaining attention to detail despite potential interruptions. The role may require occasional activities such as walking, climbing, stooping, crouching, and bending. Vision is necessary for reading printed materials and a computer screen, while hearing and speech are essential for effective communication both in person and over the telephone. Additionally, the position may necessitate travel by air or automobile. Employees may be required to use personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, safety shoes, and shop coats, to ensure safety in the production environment. Employees may be able to lift up to 50 pounds as needed.
REDWIRE DEFENSE TECH IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Redwire Defense Tech is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Human Resources. Continued employment remains on an "At-Will" basis.

Apply