UAS Drone Pilot - Salinas, CA
Wilbur-EllisInvesting 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.
A Sample of What You’ll Do in This Role:
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.
What You Bring to the Role:
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
Preferred: Qualified Applicator License (QAL) or ability to obtain one
Preferred: Apprentice (APC) or Journeyman Pilot Certification (JPC) from California DPR (Wilbur‑Ellis will assist with obtaining certifications)
High school diploma or equivalent; additional technical training in UAS, agriculture, or aviation preferred
What Makes You a Great Fit:
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
Compensation and Benefits:
The base compensation for this position ranges from $36.39 to $48.51 per hour. Please note that wages may vary depending on skills and experience.
- 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/
Please note that salary ranges provided for this role on external job boards are salary estimates made by outside parties and may not be accurate.
Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:
Diversity of people, cultures, opinions, and ideas makes us all stronger. From leadership commitment to employee buy-in, we know that creating an inclusive environment and providing opportunities for all employees to reach their full potential is a shared responsibility.
Wilbur-Ellis is a company you can be proud to call your employer
Wilbur-Ellis markets and distributes agricultural products, animal feed specialty chemicals, and food ingredients. A privately held and consistently profitable company, we employ more than 4,000 people throughout North America and Asia-Pacific.
Wilbur-Ellis is for and about people
Wilbur-Ellis has enjoyed over 100 years of success and growth, all thanks to our people. Our employees are both leaders and team players who thrive on creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and a dedication to quality work, our customers, and each other.
Wilbur-Ellis invests in the industry’s best workforce
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.
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