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Uav Sensor Operator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Systems Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$146K - $194K/yr

Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns ... Layout system design plans and interfaces for new UAV products and platforms * Manage tactical ...

Systems Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$146K - $194K/yr

Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns ... Layout system design plans and interfaces for new UAV products and platforms * Manage tactical ...

Chief Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$191K - $253K/yr

Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns ... Conduct hands-on UAV testing with occasional travel REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS * 7-10 years of ...

Chief Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$191K - $253K/yr

Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns ... Conduct hands-on UAV testing with occasional travel REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS * 7-10 years of ...

... operating principles and control methods such as field oriented control (FOC) * Experience in RF Design or Analysis * Tuning of flight control algorithms including PIDs and sensor filters * UAV Pilot ...

New

Create and maintain dynamic flight models for various UAV platforms to simulate and validate ... Familiarity with embedded systems and real-time operating systems Bonus Points For: * Hands-on ...

... operating principles and control methods such as field oriented control (FOC) * Experience in RF Design or Analysis * Tuning of flight control algorithms including PIDs and sensor filters * UAV Pilot ...

New

Senior Thermal Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$112K - $154K/yr

... operating thresholds for test and field use. * Define and execute prototype builds and thermal tests, including CAD support, sensor selection, DAQ setup, data post-processing, and results ...

Senior Thermal Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$110K - $152K/yr

... operating thresholds for test and field use. * Define and execute prototype builds and thermal tests, including CAD support, sensor selection, DAQ setup, data post-processing, and results ...

Showing results 21-40

Uav Sensor Operator information

See California salary details

$23K

$65.9K

$163K

How much do uav sensor operator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for uav sensor operator in California is $65,851.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33,783.00 and $97,433.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a UAV sensor operator?

A UAV Sensor Operator is responsible for operating and managing sensors on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to gather intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data. They monitor camera feeds, radar, and other sensors to identify targets, assess terrain, and support mission objectives. This role requires strong situational awareness, technical proficiency, and the ability to work as part of a team in military, law enforcement, or commercial applications.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a UAV sensor operator?

As a UAV Sensor Operator, your typical day includes setting up and calibrating sensor equipment, conducting pre-flight checks, and monitoring UAV flight paths. You will actively manage and interpret data streams from various sensors such as electro-optical, infrared, or LiDAR, ensuring that mission objectives are met. Collaboration with UAV pilots, mission planners, and intelligence analysts is common, and you may be required to summarize findings in detailed reports. The role frequently involves adapting to changing mission requirements and maintaining a high level of vigilance throughout each flight operation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the UAV sensor operator position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a UAV Sensor Operator, you need a background in remote sensing, imagery analysis, and UAV operations, often supported by military experience or specialized technical training. Familiarity with ground control stations, mission planning software, and relevant certifications such as Part 107 (for civilian operations) are commonly required. Strong attention to detail, effective communication, and the ability to work well under pressure are valuable soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure accurate data collection, safe UAV operation, and reliable collaboration within mission teams.

What are the most commonly searched types of Uav Sensor Operator jobs in California?

The most popular types of Uav Sensor Operator jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Uav Sensor Operator jobs in California?

For Uav Sensor Operator jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Uav Sensor Operator jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Uav Sensor Operator jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Uav Sensor Operator job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 51% Full Time, 47% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,851 per year, or $31.7 per hour.

Deployment Engineer, Anvil

Anduril Industries

Costa Mesa, CA • On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

Other

Posted 20 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 75,712 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century's most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. 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 strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.
Anduril's Deployment Operations group is seeking a Deployment Engineer to join our team, focusing specifically on the Anvil product line. In this role, you will ensure the success and reliability of Anvil's fielded systems.
You will concentrate on the reliability, availability, and performance of the Anvil product line, bridging the gap between development and operations. By combining software engineering principles with operational expertise, you will automate tasks, manage incidents, and enhance system stability.
You will collaborate closely with other engineering and operations groups to continually improve and maintain these critical systems. Your responsibilities will include debugging, real-time response, rapid resolution, and root-causing complex issues on electro-mechanical systems. You will shape product design changes and software updates based on lessons learned from support efforts.
What You'll Do
  • Provide remote support to field operations groups as they install, operate, and maintain Anvil systems
  • Troubleshoot complex hardware and software issues, driving short-term resolutions and identifying long-term solutions
  • Work closely with development teams, product managers, and other stakeholders to ensure Anvil systems are designed and built with reliability in mind
  • Drive continuous product improvement by leading post-mortem events involving engineering stakeholders
  • Set up and maintain monitoring systems to track system health and performance, and define alerts for potential issues
  • Build out data and telemetry infrastructure to monitor systems in real-time and consolidate fleet metrics
  • Compile technical documentation to support customers, field operations, and engineering
  • Travel to customer sites (<50%) to support product delivery, evaluation, and sustainment
Required Qualifications
  • Extensive experience in UAV and small drone operations
  • Proficiency in flight telemetry systems and using UAV ground control software and flight planning tools
  • Ability to troubleshoot and resolve UAV operational issues, including diagnosing and fixing hardware and software problems
  • Proven ability to master complex technical systems and support them in operational environments with self-sufficiency across varied technologies
  • Strong skills in navigating unstructured hardware, software, and networking challenges; adept at driving ambiguous issues to clarity with data-driven root cause analyses
  • Demonstrated experience in on-call support within production environments with limited risk tolerance, reliably troubleshooting and maintaining systems
  • Proficiency in Linux and robotic systems, with strong command-line skills for extracting and manipulating data from software platforms
  • Experience with cloud-based databases, telemetry visualization platforms, and building dashboards; skilled in creating system metrics and leveraging analytics for performance improvements
  • Proven capability to integrate disparate telemetry, operational, and cloud data sources to generate actionable insights, fleet metrics, and reporting systems for continuous improvements
  • Excellent written, visual, and verbal communication skills; proven ability to gather requirements and collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, operations, product management, and customer support
  • U.S. Person status is required as this position needs to access export-controlled data
  • Ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance
  • Able to meet health and medical requirements in advance of deployments in accordance with DFARS , DoDI 3020.41, and/or any additional requirements outlined by region or supporting force, as applicable.

US Salary Range
$120,000-$180,000 USD
The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:
Benefits
At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you're supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, Explore Our Benefits.
Protecting Yourself from Recruitment Scams
Anduril is committed to maintaining the integrity of our Talent acquisition process and the security of our candidates. We've observed a rise in sophisticated phishing and fraudulent schemes where individuals impersonate Anduril representatives, luring job seekers with false interviews or job offers. These scammers often attempt to extract payment or sensitive personal information.
To ensure your safety and help you navigate your job search with confidence, please keep the following critical points in mind:
  • No Financial Requests: Anduril will never solicit payment or demand personal financial details (such as banking information, credit card numbers, or social security numbers) at any stage of our hiring process. Our legitimate recruitment is entirely free for candidates.
  • Please always verify communications:
    • Direct from Anduril: If you receive an email from one of our recruiters, it will only come from an @anduril.com address.
    • Via Agency Partner: If contacted by a recruiting agency for an Anduril role, their email will clearly identify their agency. If you suspect any suspicious activity, please verify the agency's authenticity by reaching out to
  • Exercise Caution with Unsolicited Outreach: If you receive any communication that appears suspicious, contains grammatical errors, or makes unusual requests, do not engage. Always confirm the sender's email domain is @anduril.com before providing any personal information or clicking on links.
  • What to Do If You Suspect Fraud: Should you encounter any questionable or fraudulent outreach claiming to be from Anduril, please report it immediately to Your proactive caution is invaluable in protecting your personal information and upholding the security and trustworthiness of our recruitment efforts.

Data Privacy
To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit
By submitting your application, you consent to Anduril Industries using a third-party service provider to conduct pre-employment risk, integrity, and due diligence screening and assessing potential risks as part of your application process. This third-party service provider provides risk-intelligence services that may include analysis of sanctions and watchlists, adverse media, public-record information, and other lawful open-source or commercial data sources. This third-party service provider does not act as a consumer reporting agency. Use of this provider helps to ensure compliance with applicable laws and protect technology, intellectual property, and organizational security.

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

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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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

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