UAS Pilot Jobs
UAS Pilot jobs are open across defense, public safety, agriculture, construction, and infrastructure inspection, from entry-level operators to senior pilots and mission commanders, with specializations in thermal imaging, mapping and surveying, and beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Job Title: Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Specialist / Drone Pilot
Location: St. Charles, MO
Work Arrangement: Onsite / Field-based
Duration: Contract
Work Schedule: Monday – Thursday, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM (4 x 10-hour shifts)
Overtime: Available, subject to approval
Job Description
We are seeking a skilled Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Specialist / Drone Pilot to join our Central UAS Robotics Group. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience operating commercial drones, conducting aerial inspections, capturing high-quality images and videos, and processing drone-collected data.
The candidate will support inspection activities across utility infrastructure and distribution systems, including storm damage assessments. This position involves both field operations and office-based data processing.
The company will provide drone equipment, including the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise. Candidates are not required to bring their own equipment.
Key Responsibilities
- Operate commercial drones to perform aerial inspections of electrical distribution infrastructure, utility facilities, and company assets.
- Capture high-quality aerial photographs, videos, and inspection data.
- Process, analyze, and organize drone imagery and collected data for inspection reports.
- Perform aerial inspections and assist with storm damage assessments.
- Plan and coordinate drone flights using GIS and mapping applications such as ArcGIS.
- Follow FAA regulations, flight safety procedures, and company operational guidelines.
- Maintain drone equipment, troubleshoot technical issues, and prepare equipment for daily operations.
- Maintain accurate flight logs, inspection records, and data documentation.
- Securely store and share collected inspection data with relevant teams.
- Travel to various field locations to perform inspections.
- Work independently after completing the initial training period.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Aviation, Engineering Technology, GIS, Surveying, Robotics, Mass Communications, or a related technical field.
- Active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (mandatory).
- Minimum of 1 year of professional drone-flying experience.
- Hands-on experience operating commercial drones and capturing aerial imagery.
- Knowledge of drone flight planning, safety procedures, and FAA regulations.
- Basic technical troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
- Valid driver's license with a good driving record.
- Strong communication, organizational, and attention-to-detail skills.
- Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
Pay: $25.97 - $30.27 per hour
Work Location: In person
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Find UAS Pilot JobsUAS Pilot Job Market
Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in UAS pilot jobs.
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate in good standing
- Minimum logged flight hours on commercial UAS platforms
- Experience operating multi-rotor and fixed-wing UAS in field conditions
- Proficiency with mission-planning and data-processing software
- Ability to pass a background check for government or defense contracts
- Valid driver's license and willingness to travel to remote job sites
Tips for Your UAS Pilot Job Search
List every FAA certification you hold
Your Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is table stakes, but hiring managers also look for waivers, airspace authorizations, and type-specific endorsements. List each one with its issue date so employers can verify your currency without guessing.
Tailor your resume to the payload
Defense employers care about EO/IR and signals intelligence payloads, while utilities want LiDAR and photogrammetry experience. Match your resume's skills section to the sensor type named in each posting so it clears automated screening tools.
Build a flight-log portfolio before applying
Many UAS hiring managers ask for logged hours by platform and mission type, not just total hours. Export a clean summary from your flight logging software that breaks hours down by aircraft make and model and primary mission category.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists uas pilot openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare a scenario answer for airspace conflicts
Interviewers frequently ask how you handled a Temporary Flight Restriction or unexpected manned aircraft traffic mid-mission. Rehearse a specific example that walks through your LAANC coordination, communication steps, and go/no-go decision so your answer sounds operational, not theoretical.
Negotiate on mission equipment, not just base pay
UAS roles often come with per-diem for travel days, equipment stipends, and vehicle allowances that add real value. Ask during the offer stage whether the role covers aircraft batteries, software subscriptions, and safety gear so you're comparing total packages across offers.
UAS Pilot Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most uas pilots?
The most active employers for uas pilots right now are Virginia Tech, CACI International, and ABSI Aerospace & Defense, and the most openings are in Florida, Maryland, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is especially concentrated in defense contracting, utility inspection, and precision agriculture.
How many uas pilot jobs are remote?
About 14% of uas pilot openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with most remote-eligible work concentrated in mission planning, data analysis, and flight operations management rather than field piloting roles, which require physical presence at the site.
How do you become a uas pilot?
Start by passing the FAA Part 107 aeronautical knowledge test to earn your Remote Pilot Certificate. Then build documented flight hours on commercial platforms, focusing on a specific mission type such as surveying, inspection, or public safety. Pursue payload-specific training, accumulate field experience through contract or freelance work, and apply to entry-level operator roles to build a verifiable employment history.
Can you get hired as a uas pilot with little experience?
Yes, employers in agriculture, real estate, and inspection do hire candidates with a Part 107 certificate and limited field hours if you can demonstrate strong situational awareness and a clean safety record. Building a flight-log portfolio, volunteering for local public safety or mapping projects, and obtaining a type-specific endorsement on a commercially popular aircraft all strengthen an entry-level application considerably.
What does the uas pilot interview process look like?
Most employers start with a phone screen focused on your certificate status, logged hours, and platform experience. A technical interview follows, covering airspace regulations, emergency procedures, and payload-specific workflows. Field candidates are often asked to complete a practical skills evaluation or submit sample deliverables such as orthomosaic maps or inspection reports before a final offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to uas pilot jobs?
You can find and apply to uas pilot jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Find roles that match your certifications, platform experience, and mission specialization, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
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