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Unmanned Aircraft Operator information

What is the difference between Unmanned Aircraft Operator vs Drone Pilot?

AspectUnmanned Aircraft OperatorDrone Pilot
CertificationsFAA Part 107 Remote Pilot CertificateFAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
Work EnvironmentAirspace, outdoor, various locationsOutdoor, aerial operations, often outdoors
Industry UsageCommercial, industrial, research, mediaFilming, photography, inspections, surveying

Both roles require FAA Part 107 certification and involve operating unmanned aircraft in outdoor environments. While 'Unmanned Aircraft Operator' is a broad term encompassing all drone operations, 'Drone Pilot' is a more specific title often used in media, filming, and inspection industries. The terms are frequently used interchangeably, but 'Unmanned Aircraft Operator' emphasizes the operational aspect across various sectors.

How to get a job as an unmanned aircraft operator?

To become an unmanned aircraft operator, individuals typically need to obtain a remote pilot certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by passing a knowledge test, and may need to meet age and background check requirements. Experience with drone technology, navigation, and safety procedures is also valuable, along with proficiency in operating specific drone models and understanding airspace regulations.
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Unmanned Aircraft Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Unmanned Aircraft Operator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 39% Full Time, 59% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution.

Senior Engineer, Software - Autonomous Aircraft Integration (R5200)

Shield AI

Washington, DC

$160K - $240K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago

Job description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI's technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

This position is ideal for an individual who thrives on solving complex integration challenges that span hardware, software, and systems engineering. A successful candidate will be skilled at deploying autonomy solutions onto unmanned platforms, preparing systems for flight, and troubleshooting mission-critical issues in both lab and field environments. The role is highly dynamic, requiring hands-on experience, strong systems thinking, and the ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, real-world test conditions. 
 
Shield AI is committed to developing cutting-edge autonomy for unmanned aircraft operating across all Department of Defense (DoD) domains, including air, sea, and land. Our Flight Integration Engineers are essential to bridging the gap between R&D and deployment, ensuring that autonomous systems function reliably and effectively when and where they are needed most.
What you'll do:
  • System Integration & Deployment - Integrate autonomy software onto unmanned aircraft systems, ensuring seamless operation across onboard compute, sensors, and control interfaces.
  • Pre-flight Preparation - Own the build, configuration, and validation process for flight-ready systems; coordinate hardware/software compatibility and mission readiness.
  • On-site Flight Test Support - Travel to test sites and support live flight operations, including safety checks, system bring-up, and troubleshooting under time-critical constraints.
  • Hardware/Software Debugging - Diagnose and resolve integration issues across complex autonomy software stacks and embedded systems in lab and field environments.
  • Flight Data Capture & Analysis - Manage data collection during missions and post-test analysis, working with autonomy engineers to refine behaviors and identify improvements.
  • Collaboration Across Teams - Work closely with autonomy, GNC, systems, and test teams to ensure mission-critical functionality is delivered on time and validated thoroughly.
  • Continuous Improvement - Build tools and processes to improve integration timelines, flight test reliability, and team efficiency across deployment cycles.
  • Support Certification and Compliance - Assist with documentation and system-level validation required for certification, airworthiness, and compliance in defense-relevant environments.
  • Travel Requirement - Members of this team typically travel around 30-40% of the year (to different office locations, customer sites, and flight integration events).
Required Qualifications:
  • BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and/or similar degree, or equivalent practical experience 
  • Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 4 years and a Master's degree; or 2 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
  • Proficiency in programming languages such as C++ and Python, and familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS).
  • Proficiency in Linux-based development and experience working with embedded systems, shell scripting, and system diagnostics.
  • Knowledge of sensor integration, sensor fusion, and middleware frameworks (e.g., ROS, DDS).
  • Hands-on experience supporting flight demos or live exercises.
  • Experience with simulation tools and environments (e.g., AFSIM, NGTS) for testing and validation.
  • Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot and optimize system performance.
  • Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.
  • Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance. 
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Direct experience supporting unmanned aerial systems or similar flight test campaigns.
  • Familiarity with autonomy stacks, flight control systems, or GNC pipelines.
  • Competence in sensor integration, electronics debugging, or avionics bring-up.
  • Proficiency in developing automation tools for system testing, logging, and data parsing.
  • Comfortable interfacing with DoD stakeholders during field events or technical reviews.
  • Experience with UCI and OMS Standards.
$160,000 - $240,000 a year
#LI-ED1
#LC

Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
 
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
 
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
 
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know. 
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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