ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Uav Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SMS INFOCOMM CORPORATION

UAV Assembler

Lewisville, TX · On-site

$14.75 - $18.25/hr

Summary The UAV Assembler is responsible for assembling, integrating, and performing final assembly ... operating procedures (SOPs). This role requires attention to detail, manual dexterity, and the ...

SMS INFOCOMM CORPORATION

UAV Assembler

Lewisville, TX

$14.75 - $18.25/hr

Summary The UAV Assembler is responsible for assembling, integrating, and performing final assembly ... operating procedures (SOPs). This role requires attention to detail, manual dexterity, and the ...

Platform Aerospace

UAV Pilot/Instructor

Blackstone, VA · On-site

$30 - $70/hr

UAV PILOT/INSTRUCTOR I-III DEPARTMENT: FLIGHT OPERATIONS REPORTS TO: FLIGHT OPERATIONS TRAINING ... Comfortable operating a UAS in various weather and light conditions. BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR A LEVEL ...

Emerald Staffing

Drone Operator

Medford, OR

$36 - $41/hr

Drone Operator Pay: $36.00 - $41.00 per hour Schedule: Full Time About the Company A leading ... This opportunity is ideal for someone with hands-on UAV inspection experience who is comfortable ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsUav Operator Jobs

Uav Operator information

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.
More about Uav Operator jobs
What cities are hiring for Uav Operator jobs? Cities with the most Uav Operator job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Uav Operator jobs? The most popular types of Uav Operator jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Uav Operator jobs? The top employers for Uav Operator jobs are:
What states have the most Uav Operator jobs? States with the most job openings for Uav Operator jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Uav Operator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Uav Operator jobs are:
Uav Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Uav Operator job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 62% Full Time, and 38% Part Time. Highlights an 75% In-person, and 25% Remote job distribution.
Mission Operations Specialist (UAS Pilot)

Mission Operations Specialist (UAS Pilot)

Odys Aviation

Long Beach, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

About Odys
Our mission at Odys is simple - we build safe, sustainable aircraft to cut travel time in half on the world's busiest corridors. Our flagship aircraft Alta enables travelers to skip the big-airport hassle by using city helipads and local airports to connect cities less than 1,000 miles apart (approx 40% of flights). And on average cut CO2 by 76% on tens of billions of flight miles globally.
To get there, we start with our UAV called Laila for commercial logistics, medical transport, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and defense missions. We're deploying aircraft with launch partners (Fiji Airways, Honeywell, Aramex, US Navy) beginning in 2026 and already have firm orders for aircraft under contract.
We're a team of expert engineers from deep tech and aerospace that focus on fast iterations loops (completed transition flight faster than our peers) combined with mastery of the aircraft certification process. Previously, our team developed custom drones, brought multiple automotive platforms into production, and electrified transportation vehicles that magnetically levitate, that roll, that fly. Together, we've been learning, developing, building, testing, and preparing for this challenge our entire lives.
We are seeking a highly skilled UAV Pilot to join our Flight Test & Operations team as a Mission Operations Specialist. In this role, you will serve as the primary Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) for our developmental eVTOL Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platforms, piloting complex, novel aircraft from the Ground Control Station (GCS) during live test events.
Beyond the stick, you will own the operational and regulatory groundwork that makes each flight possible - integrating the GCS, drafting Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), securing flight authorizations, and partnering with engineering to translate test objectives into safe, executable mission profiles. You will leverage your flight test background and deep knowledge of EASA JARUS SORA and FAA Part 107/108 regulations to safely advance our aircraft from early R&D testing through to commercial certification.
Key Responsibilities
  • Serve as the primary pilot at the Ground Control Station (GCS) during live experimental flight tests, safely executing mission profiles on complex, novel eVTOL UAV architectures.
  • Translate engineering objectives into safe, executable flight test plans and pilot them dynamically within a rapid prototyping and testing environment.
  • Lead the development of Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and operational risk assessments. Secure flight authorizations and waivers by applying the EASA JARUS SORA framework alongside FAA Part 107 and FAA Part 108 (BVLOS) regulations.
  • Take ownership of the integration, testing, and troubleshooting of Ground Control Stations (GCS). Ensure seamless command, control, and telemetry flow between the GCS and aircraft via C2 links and high-bandwidth datalinks.
  • Manage the integration, functional testing, and operational deployment of various R&D flight test payloads (e.g., telemetry equipment, optical sensors, ballast systems).
  • Apply established UAS flight test methodologies to optimize test efficiency, safety, and operational procedures for our autonomous eVTOL UAV platforms.
  • Collaborate closely with R&D engineering teams to analyze post-flight telemetry, evaluate handling qualities, validate C2 link robustness, and refine vehicle design based on real-world flight execution.
Required Qualifications
  • Active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate with a proven logbook demonstrating significant flight hours as an RPIC on complex UAS or developmental eVTOL UAV platforms.
  • Demonstrated hands-on experience piloting complex, multi-rotor, or thrust-vectored vertical lift UAVs in an R&D, experimental, or operational test environment.
  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aviation, or a related technical field.
  • Professional experience in experimental, R&D, or certification flight test programs - whether as a UAV operator/pilot, Flight Test Engineer, or both.
  • Practical experience executing the EASA JARUS SORA process, coupled with deep expertise in the FAA Part 107 and FAA Part 108 frameworks for complex or Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations.
  • Hands-on experience with Ground Control Station (GCS) integration, specifically focusing on:
    • Command and Control (C2) link architecture and performance validation.
    • Datalink integration (telemetry, video, and command streams).
    • Hardware and software payload integration.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Familiarity with additional FAA aircraft certification frameworks (e.g., Part 21, Part 23, Part 27).
  • Experience with flight test data analysis software (e.g., IADS, MATLAB, Python) to support rapid R&D iterations.
  • Human Factors Evaluation Experience - pilot interface design, workload assessment, GCS ergonomics, or HMI evaluation in flight test settings.

Apply