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Want to soar high via mid-career transition to drone sector? Here are the roles and skills you should know

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Unmanned aerial systems have become an integral part of many sectors as several industries leverage drone technology to improve efficiency and productivity. The drone technology space is seeing several employment opportunities.

While there are plenty of vacancies for freshers, the question is can mid-career professionals also make a seamless career switch and experience significant growth in the drone sector?

UAV pilot, drone maintenance technician, data analyst and software developer are the roles registering a high demand for mid-career professionals. To pursue them, it is recommended that individuals do courses in UAV piloting, robotics, aerodynamics and programming (such as Python and C++), says Rama Krishna, Co-founder and CEO, EndureAir.


Anoop Upadhyay, Co-founder & Director, IoTechworld Avigation Pvt Ltd, says key areas brimming with opportunities for mid-career professionals include embedded architecture, ARM architecture and software development. Additionally, R&D and manufacturing roles focusing on design and development are also in demand, as professionals in these positions drive innovations that enhance drone performance and functionality.

Coming to the pay structure, he says, mid-career professionals in these roles can expect competitive salaries of Rs 5-15 lakh per annum, depending on experience and skill sets. Having said that, he says R&D professionals typically earn on the higher end due to the specialised nature of their work.

Sachin Alug, NLB Services, says some of the most sought-after roles in this domain are drone pilot instructor, senior engineer, R&D engineer, project manager, sales manager and zonal manager. Although the salary offered to these professionals differs on the basis of profile and domain expertise, on an average, professionals draw Rs 8-20 lakh a year in these roles, he adds.

Individuals with a strong foundation in hardware or software engineering, combined with a collaborative mindset and a passion for innovation, are highly sought after for mid-career professionals, says Vinayak Tsalla, Founder and CEO, Tsalla Aerospace.

Skill requirement to ace these roles

According to Krishna, some key technical must-have skills include UAV software programming, mechatronic skills, an in-depth understanding of laws and regulations in the drone industry, basic knowledge of drone operations and safety, and familiarity with cross-functional skills. For non-tech skills, he says, mid-career professionals should develop skills in problem-solving, adaptability and effective communication.


On the tech side, Upadhyay says expertise in IoT is crucial for connecting drones with smart devices and ecosystems; knowledge of RTOS (real-time operating systems) is essential for optimising drone performance; and skills in 5G integration are vital as they enhance the connectivity and speed of drone operations. Experience in wearable embedded systems adds versatility, allowing professionals to innovate in control interfaces.

The necessary non-tech skills include the ability to work in a dynamic and evolving environment, strong teamwork skills for collaborating across multidisciplinary teams, and excellent communication skills to convey complex ideas to technical and non-technical stakeholders, he adds.

When it comes to technical skills, Alug says professionals are expected to have a strong command over protocol knowledge, high voltage boards, UAV systems, robotic systems, and coding languages such as Python and C++, along with a firm grasp of DSA (data structures and algorithms), ROS (robotic operating systems), etc.

Technical skills such as software development, hardware engineering, aerial robotics, computer vision, data science, and analytics are essential for understanding and contributing to the complex systems that power drones, says Tsalla.

Upskilling courses for a seamless transition

Upadhyay suggests pursuing courses in advanced embedded systems, programming, IoT, and embedded artificial reality as these skills enhance knowledge of drone hardware-software integration, enabling seamless drone operations. Besides, upskilling in areas like embedded Linux, device driver development, and embedded security to mitigate cybersecurity threats can open opportunities in design, development and innovation within the rapidly evolving drone sector.

Courses in robotics engineering, computer vision with embedded ML, industrial automation, plastic electronics, IoT devices and modern robotics can be especially useful in strengthening one’s skill set and commanding a higher paycheck, says Alug.

To build a thriving career in the drone technology industry, Tsalla says, mid-career professionals should consider taking courses in drone design and development, robotics and autonomous systems, computer vision and image processing, machine learning and artificial intelligence, data science and analytics, software development (Python and C++), robot operating software, drone regulations and compliance, drone applications, and the business of drones.

“Building the ecosystem with passion, giving utmost importance to quality to maintain global standards, having a zero-jugaad approach combined with ethics and character trumps everything,” he adds.

Freelance opportunities

The trend of freelancing is gaining traction in the drone industry due to rising demand for such opportunities, says Krishna. Particularly roles such as drone surveyors, drone software designers and others allow for flexible work arrangements and are often project-based, catering to specific client needs.

Freelance drone pilots are some of the most in-demand profiles whereas, pilot instructors, technicians, faculty and administrators are some of the prominent profiles in the area, says Alug.

“Freelancers who can bring unique or niche expertise to the table, such as developing hardware or software components that seamlessly integrate into existing systems, are highly sought after. Additionally, UAV pilots with exceptional tuning, manual flying skills, and the ability to provide valuable feedback to engineering teams are in high demand,” according to Tsalla.

On the other hand, Upadhyay expresses a different opinion. He says that the drone technology industry is not seeing a significant trend toward freelancing or contractual roles, particularly for mid-career professionals. This is because drone development, manufacturing and operations require hands-on collaboration and site-specific work. Most roles, such as drone engineers, software developers, and maintenance experts, require consistent on-site presence to ensure quality control and compliance with safety standards.
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