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Uav Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Industrial Access

UAV/Drone Pilot

Cumming, GA

$25 - $35/hr

We are currently searching for a UAV/Drone Pilot to support project and engineering teams with inspection, data gathering and assessment activities. The ideal candidate will be local to our offices ...

Industrial Access, Inc.

UAV/Drone Pilot

Cumming, GA

$25 - $35/hr

We are currently searching for a UAV/Drone Pilot to support project and engineering teams with inspection, data gathering and assessment activities. The ideal candidate will be local to our offices ...

General Atomics

UAV Systems Specialist IV

Poway, CA · On-site

$98K - $171K/yr

UAV Systems Specialist are engineering data that defines the scheduled preventative maintenance and overhaul requirements for all GA-ASI manufactured aircraft, ground control stations and ground ...

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Uav information

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$25K

$71.2K

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How much do uav jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for uav in the United States is $71,207.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39,000.00 and $102,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) operators face on the job, and how can they be addressed?

UAV operators often encounter challenges such as changing weather conditions, regulatory compliance, and maintaining situational awareness during flights. Adapting to rapid technological advancements and troubleshooting technical issues with the drone or its software are also frequent aspects of the role. To address these challenges, operators should stay updated on local UAV regulations, participate in regular training, and develop strong problem-solving skills. Collaboration with team members, such as data analysts or surveyors, can also help ensure safe and efficient flight missions.

What are UAVs?

UAVs, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, are aircraft that operate without a human pilot onboard. They can be controlled remotely by an operator or fly autonomously using pre-programmed flight paths and onboard sensors. UAVs are widely used for various applications, including aerial photography, surveying, agriculture, delivery services, and military operations. Their ability to reach inaccessible areas and collect data efficiently makes them valuable tools across many industries.

What is a UAV pilot's salary?

A UAV pilot's salary varies depending on experience, location, and industry, but typically ranges from $50,000 to $100,000 annually. Certified pilots with specialized skills in drone operation and maintenance tend to earn higher wages, especially in sectors like aerial photography, surveying, and inspection services.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a UAV Operator, you need strong technical skills in piloting drones, understanding aerodynamics, and interpreting aerial data, typically supported by relevant certifications such as FAA Part 107 or equivalent. Familiarity with flight planning software, GPS navigation systems, and remote sensing equipment is essential. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication make operators stand out in this field. These skills and qualities are vital to ensure safe, compliant, and accurate operation of UAVs for various applications such as surveying, inspection, or aerial photography.

What is the difference between Uav vs Drone Operator?

AspectUavDrone Operator
CredentialsFAA Part 107 certification, remote pilot licenseFAA Part 107 certification, remote pilot license
Work EnvironmentField, outdoor, industrial sitesField, outdoor, industrial sites
Industry UsageMilitary, commercial, researchCommercial, media, inspection
Job FocusDesign, operation, maintenance of UavsFlying, capturing footage, data collection

Uav (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) is a broad term for drone technology, including design and development. Drone Operator specifically refers to the person flying and managing drones for tasks like filming or inspections. While both roles require similar certifications and work in outdoor environments, Uav roles often involve technical design, whereas Drone Operators focus on piloting and data collection.

What jobs make $10,000 a month without a degree?

For UAV-related roles, high-paying positions such as drone pilot or UAV operator can reach $10,000 per month with experience, certifications, and specialized skills. These jobs often require knowledge of aviation regulations, remote piloting skills, and sometimes commercial drone licenses, but they do not always require a college degree.

What Is a UAV?

A UAV, or unmanned aerial vehicle, is an aircraft operated by onboard computers or remote control. This type of vehicle is also referred to as a drone. UAVs are one of the three major parts of an unmanned aircraft system, which also includes a human controller and systems that allow for communication between the controller and the ground. In recent years, UAVs have expanded from the military to areas like agricultural, scientific, recreational, and commercial activities. Today, this kind of machine may be used to take aerial photographs, deliver packages, spray pest-control chemicals over crops, or even race other drones.

What drone job pays the most?

Commercial drone pilot roles in industries such as oil and gas, construction, and cinematography tend to offer the highest salaries, often exceeding $100,000 annually for experienced professionals with advanced certifications and specialized skills. High-paying drone jobs typically require extensive training, FAA Part 107 certification, and the ability to operate complex equipment in demanding environments.

What jobs pay $500,000 a year in the US?

In the UAV industry, high-paying roles such as senior drone pilots, UAV operations managers, or specialized engineers can reach or exceed $500,000 annually, especially in defense, aerospace, or large-scale commercial applications. These positions typically require advanced technical skills, certifications, and extensive experience working with complex drone systems and regulatory compliance.
More about Uav jobs
What cities are hiring for Uav jobs? Cities with the most Uav job openings:
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Uav jobs near you
Infographic showing various Uav job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,207 per year, or $34.2 per hour.
Sr Solutions Architect Defense UAV Drones

Sr Solutions Architect Defense UAV Drones

LANTRONIX

Minneapolis, MN • On-site

$130K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

Position Title: Sr. Solutions Architect - Defense UAV (Drones) & Unmanned Platforms

Organizational Summary
Lantronix Inc. is a global leader in Edge AI and Industrial IoT solutions, delivering intelligent computing, secure connectivity, and remote management for mission-critical applications across defense, industrial, and enterprise environments. Our expanding platform—spanning embedded compute, AI-enabled networking, PoE infrastructure, and edge software—enables real-time data processing and autonomous decision-making at the network edge. We power next-generation applications including robotics, smart cities, intelligent security, and NDAA-compliant unmanned systems.

Role Description:
Lantronix Compute is a high-growth business unit within Lantronix, delivering embedded compute and Edge AI platforms that power next-generation unmanned systems, including Group 1–3 UAS, unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), and maritime platforms for defense, public safety, and government customers. Our portfolio of System-on-Modules (SOMs) enables real-time perception, autonomy, and secure mission processing for applications such as ISR, force protection, perimeter security, and contested-environment operations.

We are seeking a Senior Solutions Architect with deep, hands-on experience in defense and UAV platforms, not just component sales. This role is for someone who has worked directly with drone OEMs, defense primes, payload suppliers, and system integrators, understands how unmanned systems are architected end-to-end, and can credibly engage at both the engineering and program level.

This role is highly collaborative, requiring you to partner closely with Sales to build and qualify a robust opportunity pipeline across defense primes, drone OEMs, payload vendors and system integrators. You will scope technical solutions and proofofconcept projects that integrate Lantronix SOMs, sensor payloads (EO/IR, RGB, LiDAR, radar), flightcontrol stacks (e.g., Pixhawk/PX4), ground control systems into customer platforms. You will also play a key role in guiding internal product strategy based on real customer requirements from defense and government programs.

This is a field-facing, technically rigorous role that sits at the intersection of sales, product, and engineering and is tightly aligned with revenue growth in the UAV and unmanned systems market.

Responsibilities:

  • Identify, qualify and nurture new OEM, Tier1/2 integrators, and defense prime customers to expand our design win pipeline and grow revenue in the drone and defense market, with a focus on AI enabled UAVs and mission critical unmanned systems.
  • Act as the first technical and business point of contact for key drone accounts; build multilevel relationships (engineering, product, program and procurement) and uncover opportunities to increase Lantronix compute content per platform.
  • Architect and scope end-to-end unmanned system solutions, including:
  • Edge compute / AI SOMs
  • Sensor payloads (EO/IR, RGB, LiDAR, radar, SIGINT where applicable)
  • Flight controllers and autonomy stacks (PX4/Pixhawk,ArduPilot, custom RTOS/Linux stacks)
  • Onboard networking, storage, and secure communications
  • Perform market, product and technology research across UAV, edge compute modules, payloadecosystemsand competing drone compute platforms; conduct competitive analysis to inform our compute roadmap andidentifydifferentiated solutions (e.g., NDAA/TAAalignedstacks,lowSWaPEdge AI, secureondeviceprocessing) that increase market penetration.
  • Translate customer and program requirements into clear product requirements, reference architectures, and solution briefs for internal engineering and product teams.
  • Support marketing and business development efforts, including:
  • Technical input for UAV-focused product launches
  • Participation in defense and UAV industry events
  • Development of technical collateral, demos, and customer success narratives tied to real platforms and deployments
  • Drivecrossfunctionalcollaboration with marketing,salesand engineering to continuously improve technical collateral for the drone market (reference designs,DevKitdocumentation, integration guides for flight controllers and payloads, performance benchmarks for ISR and inspection workloads, product web pages, etc.)

Qualifications:

  • 8+ years of experience in the Defense/Drone space in either a technical or sales role
  • Demonstrated experience working with drone OEMs, defense primes, or system integrators on deployed or program-of-record platforms
  • Strong technical understanding of UAV system architecture, including onboardcompute, sensors, flight control, and ground control integration
  • Experience supporting design-ins or platform selections for embedded compute,SoMs, or related technologies
  • Ability to credibly engage with engineering teams and defense customers on architecture, trade-offs, and performance constraints
  • Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field


This position remote in the U.S.A. and will require U.S. citizenship

Salary range will vary depending on location of hire and experience, ranging from $130,000 to $200,000 annually