Also called: UAV Software Engineer, Autonomy Engineer (Drones)
Writes the code that lets drones fly themselves, avoid obstacles and land safely.
You write flight-control code, then drive to a test field to watch a delivery drone try it. When it wobbles in the wind, you study the flight logs back at the office and adjust the software.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in computer science, aerospace or electrical engineering.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering.
Growing much faster than average (about 15% over 10 years). Tracks software developers; defense and delivery drones drive demand.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Drone demand is rising in delivery, farming and defense; AI writes code, but safe flight software needs human sign-off.
Classes: AP Computer Science A, AP Physics, AP Calculus.
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.