ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Uav Operator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Anduril Industries

UAV Operator, Bolt

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

About The Team The Tactical Recon & Strike (TRS) team at Anduril develops small aerial drones (Group 1-3) along with all the necessary equipment for testing, deployment, and operation. The team ...

Anduril Industries

UAV Operator, Bolt

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$113K - $155K/yr

Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of ...

Dudek

Survey Crew Chief

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$43.30 - $56/hr

FAA Part 107 UAV Operator License required. * Land Surveyor-in-Training (LSIT) certification preferred. * Experience leading medium to large surveying projects with minimal oversight. * Strong ...

Dudek

As Needed Survey Crew Chief III

San Diego, CA · Remote

$43.30 - $56/hr

FAA Part 107 UAV Operator License required. * Land Surveyor-in-Training (LSIT) certification preferred. * Experience leading medium to large surveying projects with minimal oversight. * Strong ...

Grid Aero

UAV Build & Test Technician

San Leandro, CA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

UAV Build & Test Technician Company: Grid.aero Location: Onsite 5 days/week [San Leandro, CA ... Led by experienced aerospace and technology operators and backed by leading venture investors, we ...

General Atomics

UAV Systems Specialist III

Poway, CA · On-site

$81K - $141K/yr

The UAV Systems Specialist will be part of the MQ-9B Chief Engineering team and will represent the ... Expected to work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.

Grid Aero

UAV Build & Test Technician

San Leandro, CA · On-site

$90 - $110/hr

UAV Build & Test Technician Company: Grid.aero Location: Onsite 5 days/week [San Leandro, CA ... Led by experienced aerospace and technology operators and backed by leading venture investors, we ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsUav Operator JobsUav Operator Jobs in California

Uav Operator information

See California salary details

$10

$22

$52

How much do uav operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for uav operator in California is $22.28, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.01 and $21.19 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is there a demand for drone operators?

Demand for UAV operators is growing across industries such as agriculture, construction, film, and inspection services due to increased use of drone technology. Employers seek skilled operators with certifications and knowledge of FAA regulations, and job opportunities are expanding as drone applications become more widespread.

What is the difference between Uav Operator vs Drone Pilot?

AspectUav OperatorDrone Pilot
CertificationsFAA Part 107 certification often requiredFAA Part 107 certification typically required
Work EnvironmentIndustrial sites, construction, agriculture, surveillanceAerial photography, videography, inspections
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, private companies, militaryMedia companies, real estate, film production

Both Uav Operators and Drone Pilots often hold FAA Part 107 certification and work in similar environments. However, Uav Operators tend to focus more on operational control and data collection in industrial or surveillance settings, while Drone Pilots often specialize in aerial photography and videography for media or real estate. The roles overlap significantly, but the context of work and industry focus can differ.

What is an UAV operator?

A UAV operator is a professional responsible for flying and managing unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones. They operate the aircraft using remote controls or onboard software, often requiring certification and knowledge of safety protocols, navigation, and data collection. UAV operators work in industries such as photography, surveying, agriculture, and defense, often following strict regulations and safety standards.

What is a UAV pilot's salary?

The salary of a UAV pilot typically ranges from $50,000 to $100,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Certified pilots with specialized skills in drone operation and FAA certifications tend to earn higher wages, especially in sectors like aerial surveying, filmmaking, or inspection services.

What are some common challenges UAV Operators face when coordinating with ground teams during missions?

UAV Operators often work closely with ground teams to ensure mission objectives are met efficiently and safely. One common challenge is maintaining clear and consistent communication, especially in dynamic environments where mission parameters can change rapidly. Operators must be adept at interpreting real-time data and relaying critical information to ground personnel, sometimes under tight time constraints. Additionally, synchronizing UAV flight paths with ground team movements requires strong situational awareness and adaptability to avoid operational conflicts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a UAV Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a UAV Operator, you need strong spatial awareness, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of aviation regulations, often supported by a relevant certification such as an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Familiarity with UAV flight control systems, GPS navigation software, and data analysis tools is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, effective communication, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are critical for ensuring safe, efficient UAV operations and for delivering accurate data or services in various industries.

Do drone operators get paid well?

UAV operators, or drone pilots, can earn a competitive salary that varies based on experience, industry, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, but experienced operators working in sectors like film, agriculture, or defense can earn higher wages, often supplemented by certifications and specialized skills.

What does a UAV Operator do?

A UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) Operator is responsible for piloting drones or remotely operated aircraft for various purposes, such as surveillance, mapping, inspections, or deliveries. They plan flight paths, operate the drone systems, monitor equipment, and ensure compliance with aviation regulations. UAV Operators may work in fields like agriculture, construction, law enforcement, or filmmaking, and they often analyze the data or footage collected during flights. Proper training and certification are usually required to operate UAVs professionally and safely.
What are the most commonly searched types of Uav Operator jobs in California? The most popular types of Uav Operator jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Uav Operator jobs in California? For Uav Operator jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Uav Operator jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Uav Operator jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Uav Operator jobs? Cities in California with the most Uav Operator job openings:
Uav Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Uav Operator job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 43% Full Time, 54% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,348 per year, or $22.3 per hour.

UAV Operator, Bolt

Anduril Industries

Costa Mesa, CA • On-site

Other

Re-posted 18 days ago

Anduril rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Anduril

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Manufacturers average

Based on 74,752 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

About The Team


The Tactical Recon & Strike (TRS) team at Anduril develops small aerial drones (Group 1-3) along with all the necessary equipment for testing, deployment, and operation. The team transforms products like Ghost, Anvil, Altius, and Bolt from initial concepts into operational systems. We work closely with specialized teams to tackle some of our customers' most complex challenges. Currently, we are seeking a technical operations engineer for the Bolt program where you will leverage your operational and technical expertise to shape and deploy a solution of maximum effectiveness and reliability. Your scope will include standing up forward-deployed operations in austere environments, ensuring the successful combat employment of Anduril products, and shaping the long-term sustainment of these products. In addition, you will be a core participant in customer demonstrations and customer trainings, and test events closer to home.

About The Job

As a member of the Technical Operations team for TRS, you will play a critical role in bridging product engineering and deployed operations. You will be involved in unmanned air vehicle development programs, using your technical and operational expertise to deliver reliable solutions in challenging, remote environments. The Technical Operations team also play essential role in shaping the field sustainment of these products through various test and evaluation events, customer demonstrations, and deployments.

What You'll Do
  • Support military aviation projects by executing flight operations, conducting field maintenance, providing customer field support and training
  • Tackle complex issues related to hardware, software, and networking in unstructured situations, driving them to resolution
  • Drive events as the SME of the product, advising customers on operational employment and best practices
  • Communicate field issue status to internal and customer teams, keeping them informed.
  • Support the development and implementation of comprehensive operational and logistical plans for various events
  • Maintain support plans for hardware and software
  • Assist in event planning and resource allocation, keeping key stakeholders informed about Technical Operations requirements
  • Incident response root-cause analyses (RCAs) for air systems in the field
  • Conduct post-incident reviews and implement preventive measures
  • Maintain up-to-date documentation
Required Qualifications:
  • 3+ years of experience of strong problem solving in unstructured environments at the interface of hardware, software, and networking.
  • Strong mechanical aptitude to troubleshoot and repair critical site product components and infrastructure.
  • Demonstrated understanding of flight operations, aircraft systems, and sensors
  • Willingness to work with energetic material (warheads).
  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently or collaboratively in a team.
  • Willingness to travel up to 80%
  • Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret/Secret security clearance
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain 14 CFR Part 107
  • This position is based in Costa Mesa, CA, and is not eligible for remote or hybrid work
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Degree in aerospace engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering, or related field
  • Experience with weapon systems for manned aircraft, UAS, or missiles
  • Experience with munitions live fire testing or munitions handling
  • Experience with VTOL quad copter air systems
  • Demonstrated coding experience in Python, MATLAB, or similar programming languages (NixOS and Rust preferred)
  • Background in military deployments with Special Operations Forces, or to hazard zones.

Working at Anduril

About Anduril, in their own words

From Anduril

As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril delivers cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the warfighter in months, not years.

What Anduril employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Anduril Industries logo

About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

Social media

FacebookTwitter

View All Anduril Industries Jobs

Apply