Also called: Robotics Software Engineer (Drones), Computer Vision Engineer
Writes the software that lets drones see obstacles, navigate, and make decisions with no pilot.
You train a neural network to recognize power lines, test it in simulation, then watch a real drone weave through a forest using your code.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 6 years after high school. Bachelor's in computer science or robotics; master's common.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school, Self-taught. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering.
Growing much faster than average (about 15% over 10 years).
Medium risk for 10 years. AI coding tools and big vision models speed perception work and shrink junior roles; field testing on real drones stays human.
Classes: AP Computer Science, AP Calculus, AP Statistics, AP Physics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 15-1252.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.