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Senior Flight Test Engineer - Help Validate the Next Generation of Autonomous Aircraft

Austin, Texas | On-site

Opportunity Summary

Join a growing aerospace company developing advanced unmanned aircraft systems for defense and commercial applications. The engineering organization designs, builds, integrates, and flight tests complete aircraft platforms, allowing engineers to move rapidly from prototype development to real-world flight operations. Working in a highly collaborative environment, you'll help ensure new aircraft and mission capabilities are validated safely, efficiently, and with high-quality engineering data. As a Flight Test Engineer, you will own the planning, execution, and analysis of ground and flight test activities supporting fixed-wing unmanned aircraft. This role bridges design engineering and flight operations, working closely with software, avionics, systems, mechanical, and manufacturing teams to verify aircraft performance, identify issues, and accelerate product development. The ideal candidate enjoys spending time both in the field and in the lab, solving technical problems and turning test results into actionable engineering improvements.

About Us

We are an engineering-driven aerospace company developing next-generation autonomous aircraft for demanding operational environments. Our team believes rapid iteration, disciplined testing, and close collaboration across engineering disciplines are essential to building reliable aircraft that perform in the real world. Engineers are encouraged to take ownership, work hands-on, and contribute throughout the full development lifecycle.

Job Duties

• Develop flight test plans, test procedures, test cards, and success criteria for aircraft development and verification activities.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute ground tests, taxi tests, and flight test campaigns for fixed-wing unmanned aircraft.
• Support aircraft assembly, integration, configuration management, and pre-flight readiness activities.
• Collaborate with flight software, avionics, systems, and mechanical engineering teams to verify new hardware and software releases.
• Monitor aircraft performance during flight testing while ensuring safe and disciplined test execution.
• Collect, organize, and analyze flight test data using engineering tools to evaluate aircraft performance, stability, system behavior, and reliability.
• Investigate test anomalies, perform root cause analysis, and work with engineering teams to implement corrective actions.
• Prepare flight test reports, technical documentation, and presentations summarizing results, recommendations, and next steps.
• Support hardware and software validation through laboratory testing, hardware-in-the-loop, and system integration activities.
• Participate in flight readiness reviews, risk assessments, and post-flight debriefs.
• Help improve internal flight test processes, documentation standards, and test automation capabilities.
• Travel to flight test locations as required to support development and customer demonstrations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of experience supporting flight test, systems integration, aircraft development, or UAS engineering.
• Hands-on experience with fixed-wing unmanned aircraft systems.
• Experience developing flight test plans, test procedures, and flight test documentation.
• Understanding of aircraft systems, aerodynamics, flight controls, avionics, and system integration.
• Experience collecting and analyzing flight test or engineering data using MATLAB, Python, Excel, or similar analysis tools.
• Strong troubleshooting skills with the ability to diagnose complex hardware, software, and systems integration issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present technical findings clearly.
• Comfortable working in laboratory, manufacturing, and outdoor flight test environments.
• Ability to travel in support of aircraft testing and customer demonstrations.
• Must be eligible to work on projects subject to U.S. export control regulations.

Preferred Experience

• Experience testing fixed-wing autonomous aircraft or tactical UAS platforms.
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
• Experience with PX4, ArduPilot, or similar flight control systems.
• Familiarity with telemetry systems, mission planning software, and ground control stations.
• Experience supporting hardware-in-the-loop (HITL), software-in-the-loop (SITL), or simulation environments.
• Knowledge of flight test instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and telemetry analysis.
• Experience supporting envelope expansion, performance evaluation, or aircraft certification activities.
• Familiarity with flight readiness reviews, operational risk management, and structured flight test methodologies.
• Experience with Linux, Git, and basic scripting using Python.
• Previous experience working in a fast-paced aerospace startup or advanced aircraft development environment.

Why Join Us

• Play a key role in validating aircraft that move quickly from engineering development into real-world flight operations.
• Work alongside multidisciplinary teams spanning flight software, avionics, systems, manufacturing, and flight operations.
• Gain hands-on experience across the full aircraft development lifecycle, from prototype integration through production readiness.
• Take ownership of meaningful technical work with direct visibility into aircraft performance and product evolution.
• Join an engineering-first organization where rapid iteration, technical excellence, and collaboration drive innovation.

Compensation Details

$150,000 - $190,000

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