Drones as First Responder (DFR) Program Manager

remote
Remote, Remote, United States .
full-time . July 7, 2026

Description

About Draganfly

Draganfly Inc. (the “Company”) has been a recognized technology leader within the commercial UAV space for over two decades. We helped establish the commercial market & adoption of multi-rotor helicopters for public safety, agriculture, aerial imaging, & more. As a leader who helped shape the industry, Draganfly’s focus is on the sale of drone products and services, contract engineering & custom integration product development, and health monitoring products and services.

Additional information on our expertise, projects, and culture can be found at https://draganfly.com/

About the Role

The Drone as First Responder (DFR) Program Manager is responsible for managing the deployment and ongoing success of DFR programs for public safety agencies. This role leads program implementation from initial assessment and operational planning through training, launch, and post-deployment support.

They will act as the primary point of contact for agency stakeholders and will work closely with public safety leadership, drone operators, regulatory authorities, technology partners, and internal teams to coordinate deployments, address operational challenges, and ensure program objectives are achieved.

The DFR Program Manager provides strategic and operational guidance throughout the program lifecycle, helping agencies establish, optimize, and scale DFR operations while ensuring compliance, stakeholder alignment, and long-term program effectiveness. This role combines program management, customer success, aviation expertise, public safety consulting, and cross-functional leadership to drive successful outcomes and maximize the value of DFR technology.

This is a remote role, but the successful candidate will need to be willing to travel.

Key Responsibilities

Program Management

Lead end-to-end implementation of DFR programs, including planning, deployment, launch, and post-deployment support.
Manage project timelines, resources, risks, and customer deliverables across multiple concurrent deployments.
Serve as the primary customer contact and coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure successful execution.
Track program outcomes, lead operational reviews, and develop scalable implementation best practices.

Customer Engagement & Public Safety Consulting

Partner with public safety agencies to assess readiness and develop DFR operational strategies.
Advise on staffing, workflows, dispatch integration, policy development, governance, and risk management.
Facilitate executive briefings, stakeholder workshops, and planning sessions.
Build trusted customer relationships and support long-term program growth.

Operational Excellence

Develop and maintain implementation playbooks, SOPs, deployment documentation, and standardized processes.
Coordinate site assessments, testing, flight validation, and launch readiness activities.
Ensure deployments meet customer requirements, quality standards, and operational objectives.
Guide agencies on FAA requirements, waiver processes, and DFR operational compliance.

Technical Leadership

Serve as the internal SME for DFR operations and implementation best practices.
Support customer demonstrations, pilot programs, technical evaluations, and pre-sales activities.
Collaborate with engineering teams on product validation and continuous improvement of DFR solutions.
Capture customer feedback and operational insights to inform product development.

Who are you really?

You have strong project management skills and can effectively balance multiple priorities and stakeholders.
You have a solid understanding of FAA regulations and operational requirements related to public safety drone programs.
You are a strong communicator who can build relationships with executives, operators, customers, and technical teams.
You are highly organized and able to drive projects to successful completion.
You can create clear operational documentation, facilitate discussions, and solve complex challenges collaboratively.
You understand Drone as First Responder (DFR) operations, public safety workflows, and the unique challenges faced by law enforcement, fire, EMS, and emergency communications agencies

Qualifications:

FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (Required)
Bachelor's degree in Aviation, Emergency Management, Criminal Justice, Engineering, Public Administration, or related field (preferred)
6+ years of experience in UAS operations, aviation, public safety technology, or enterprise drone programs.
Minimum 3 years managing complex customer implementations or operational programs.
Experience implementing or operating Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs strongly preferred.
Experience working with law enforcement, fire service, emergency management, or public safety organizations.
Demonstrated experience managing multiple complex projects simultaneously.
Experience leading customer-facing deployments and executive-level communications.
Ability to travel throughout North America (40–50%). Travel includes customer implementations, executive meetings, conferences, operational assessments, and launch support.

Compensation package

Competitive salary: $90,000 - $110,000 USD
Health Coverage Reimbursement: We reimburse the cost of your existing or preferred healthcare plan (amount varies depending on family size).
401(k) program with employer matching
Generous time-off program, including vacation, wellness days, and the week off between Christmas and New Year’s.
Professional development support, including assistance in obtaining or maintaining role-relevant certifications (e.g., FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, where applicable)

Why Join Us

At Draganfly Innovations, you’ll join a collaborative team that values innovation, curiosity, and continuous improvement. We’re in an exciting growth phase, scaling our technologies, product lines, and teams as we continue to shape the future of UAV innovation. Joining us now means becoming part of a company with deep roots in the industry - and bold ambitions for what comes next.

You’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, work on diverse and cutting‑edge projects, and grow your skills alongside passionate experts. We offer competitive compensation, strong benefits, and a supportive environment where your contributions truly matter. Here, you won’t just join a company - you’ll help build what comes next. As part of our hiring process, all candidates must successfully complete reference checks and a criminal background check.

Compensation

$90,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year

Know someone who would be a perfect fit? Let them know!