Trainee Uav Sensor Operator Jobs in Rhode Island

At REGENT, we're on a mission to revolutionize regional transportation between coastal cities. We're not just building vehicles, we're creating a new category of transportation: the Seaglider. These groundbreaking wing-in-ground-effect craft travel just above the water's surface, combining the speed of an airplane with the low operating costs of a boat. Capable of 180 miles at 180 mph on today's battery tech (and up to 400 miles with next-gen batteries), Seagliders will unlock fast, affordable, and sustainable coastal transit for passengers and cargo - connecting cities, islands, and communities like never before.
Backed by leading investors and powered by a team of passionate, forward-thinking engineers, builders, and operators, we're now scaling from a breakthrough prototype to full production - and building the team to make it happen.
Role Overview
As a Test Engineer at REGENT, you'll help plan and execute the sea and air test activities that advance our foiling, wing-in-ground-effect Seagliders from early prototypes toward reliable transportation systems. Working closely with senior test engineers and cross-functional engineering teams, you'll help translate engineering objectives into structured test plans, safe field operations, and actionable data.
This role sits at the intersection of engineering, operations, and safety. You'll support test planning, help prepare vehicles and instrumentation, participate in test events on the water and in the air, and contribute to analyzing results that guide the next iteration of our vehicles.
As part of the Vehicle Test team, you'll join a group of driven, collaborative engineers who take pride in solving complex technical challenges together. We hold a high bar for engineering rigor, move quickly, think boldly, and rely on teamwork to bring entirely new transportation technology into the world.
If you're energized by working at the intersection of cutting-edge innovation, real-world impact, and hands-on engineering, you'll be in the right place - and we'd be thrilled to have you on the team!
What You'll Do

• Support the planning and execution of sea and air test events, helping prepare vehicles, test infrastructure, and instrumentation for safe and effective operations.
• Assist in developing test plans, procedures, and test cards that clearly define objectives, success criteria, and data requirements.
• Work closely with design, controls, structures, propulsion, and systems teams to ensure test objectives and vehicle configurations align with engineering goals.
• Help coordinate test readiness activities, including vehicle configuration checks, instrumentation setup, and field logistics.
• Participate in real-time test operations, monitoring telemetry, capturing observations, and supporting troubleshooting when anomalies occur.
• Collect, organize, and analyze test data to help generate clear post-test reports that inform engineering decisions and future test plans.
• Contribute to safety processes including hazard identification, operational risk assessments, and adherence to test procedures.
• Support field testing activities including working around marine vessels, aircraft systems, propulsion systems, and other high-energy hardware in real-world environments.

What You'll Bring

• Ability to support vehicle testing, prototyping, or hardware development in UAV, aerospace, maritime, automotive, robotics, or related fields.
• Experience working in hands-on engineering environments involving hardware, vehicles, instrumentation, or prototype systems.
• Strong safety mindset and experience with hazard analysis / risk management (e.g., hazard logs, operational risk assessments, TRRs, safety/airworthiness reviews).
• Experience supporting flight test, marine test, robotics testing, or other vehicle development programs.
• Familiarity with data acquisition systems, telemetry systems, or sensor instrumentation.
• Experience scripting or analyzing data using Python, MATLAB, or similar tools.
• Hands-on experience with marine vessels, aircraft systems, robotics platforms, or high-energy mechanical systems.
• Prior field testing experience and a demonstrated ability to troubleshoot hardware in real-world environments.

Who We're Looking For

• Collaborative Team Player: You believe that great things happen when teams work together. You communicate effectively and collaborate with engineers, stakeholders, and other cross-functional teams to align on goals and move projects forward. You bring people together, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and moving towards a shared vision.
• Creative Problem Solver: You thrive on tackling complex challenges and finding innovative solutions. You don't just patch issues - you improve processes, anticipate downstream impacts, and help turn one-off fixes into scalable solutions that raise the bar for future builds.
• Adaptable & Agile: In a fast-paced, ever-evolving startup environment, you quickly adapt to changing priorities and requirements. You approach challenges with a calm, resilient mindset, and know how to pivot and adjust your approach as needed, ensuring that progress continues without missing a beat.
• Innovative Mindset: You're driven by curiosity and a passion for technology. You're passionate about driving continuous improvement, embracing new technologies and methodologies to enhance efficiency, quality, and team performance.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation including a robust equity incentive plan.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance - we cover 100% of your premiums.
• 401(k) with company matching, so you can plan for the future.
• Generous flexible time off, paid parental leave, and company-wide holiday breaks.
• Relocation packages available for those moving to join our team.
• Daily, free catered lunches
• Learning & professional development opportunities

If you're ready to take on an exciting challenge, grow with us, and make a lasting impact, we want to hear from you. Even if you don't meet every requirement, but you see yourself contributing to our mission, we encourage you to apply! We value diverse skillsets and experiences and believe in the potential of passionate individuals to make a big impact.
Equal Opportunity Employer
REGENT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.