22 ROV Pilot Jobs You Can Get in 2026

As we move toward a world where remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) continue to solve problems and support thousands of industries in different ways, the need for people to manufacture, operate, test, and maneuver these vehicles will only grow. For anyone whose dream has always been to control robots for a living—this one’s for you. What is an ROV Pilot? An ROV pilot is a technically trained professional who operates an unmanned, remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV). The purpose of this role is to have a dedicated operator who understands the ins and outs of ROV navigation, systems, and tooling, and who can safely and effectively complete the mission at hand. Depending on the class and complexity of the ROV, training can range from relatively simple to highly advanced. Because ROVs are used across so many industries and applications, there is always room to grow—learning new tools, technologies, [...]