UAS Drone Pilot - Salinas, CA
About The Position
Investing in You, join a 100-year-old, family-owned leader in Ag – and grow with us! Wilbur-Ellis invests heavily in our employees by offering skill development and training, competitive compensation and benefits, and a tradition of promoting from within for a broad range of career opportunities. And we foster a supportive, people-first work environment. “We know the confidence gap can get in the way of meeting spectacular candidates, so please don’t hesitate to apply — we’d love to hear from you.” Role Overview: The UAS Drone Pilot is responsible for executing cutting‑edge aerial missions that power precision agriculture—capturing high‑impact field insights and delivering targeted product applications with advanced UAS technology. The role ensures safe, efficient flight operations while partnering with agronomy teams to turn data into smarter decisions. UAS Drone Pilots also keep equipment mission‑ready and document each flight to support continuous improvement.
Requirements
- 2+ years of experience operating UAS in agricultural or field-based environments
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
- Ability to qualify for and obtain an FAA Class III medical certificate
- Proven experience with agricultural drone applications and crop management practices
- High school diploma or equivalent; additional technical training in UAS, agriculture, or aviation preferred
- You communicate clearly and confidently, helping teams stay aligned and informed
- You are safety-driven and consistently attentive to details in every aspect of your work
- You can adapt quickly to changing field conditions while staying focused on mission goals
- You have a collaborative mindset and build strong working relationships with agronomy and operations teams
Nice To Haves
- Qualified Applicator License (QAL) or ability to obtain one
- Apprentice (APC) or Journeyman Pilot Certification (JPC) from California DPR (Wilbur‑Ellis will assist with obtaining certifications)
Responsibilities
- Operate agricultural spray drones to execute precise pesticide and fertilizer applications in alignment with FAA regulations and agronomic plans.
- Conduct thorough pre‑flight inspections, monitor weather conditions, and ensure all UAS activities meet high safety and compliance standards.
- Collaborate with agronomy teams to plan mission objectives and deliver accurate, actionable field insights to support grower needs.
- Maintain mission‑ready equipment by troubleshooting UAS systems, performing routine upkeep, and documenting flights, applications, and maintenance activities.
Benefits
- This position is eligible for vacation, holidays, health, dental, vision, mental health, retirement plans, and other benefits.
- Follow this link for more information regarding Wilbur-Ellis employee benefits: https://mywebenefits.com/
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
