Senior Flight Test Engineer

Description

The Senior Flight Test Engineer will lead the design, execution, and documentation of both developmental flight and ground tests for Firestorm's UAV platforms. This role prioritizes flight safety, collaborates closely with autonomy, integration, and hardware teams, and produces technical artifacts for internal development and customer deliverables.

• Lead and execute developmental flight testing of sub‑scale and full‑scale UAVs in dynamic environments.
• Design, conduct, and document environmental stress tests (vibration, shock, thermal, moisture, fatigue).
• Create detailed flight test plans, test cards, and safety procedures for engineering and production aircraft.
• Serve as test conductor, leading briefs, managing Go/No‑Go criteria, and enforcing test discipline.
• Plan and lead ground tests, including risk assessments and readiness reviews, to validate systems.
• Analyze test data using DOE, regression analysis, MATLAB, Simulink, or Python to inform engineering decisions.
• Build custom test setups, fixtures, and data acquisition tools for repeatable validation campaigns.
• Research, source, and operate flight instrumentation, ensuring calibration and signal integrity.
• Collaborate with autonomy, software, hardware engineers, and product leads to define test requirements.
• Track and document flight squawks, ensuring resolution and traceability.
• Ensure compliance with FAA and internal safety regulations, including technical risk assessments.
• Document test results, root‑cause analyses, and corrective actions for internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate with private and government test ranges to obtain regulatory approvals.

Requirements

The position is based on‑site at Firestorm's headquarters in San Diego, CA, and requires the ability to lift up to 30 lb, wear appropriate PPE, and travel up to 40 % domestically for testing and support activities. Flexible hours and outdoor work in varying weather conditions are expected, along with a valid driver’s license for off‑site operations.

Applicants must meet U.S. export‑control requirements (ITAR/EAR), meaning they must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, protected individuals, or otherwise eligible for required authorizations. Firestorm is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to diversity, inclusion, and providing accommodations throughout the hiring process.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Robotics, or related field (or equivalent hands‑on experience).
• Minimum 5 years as a flight test engineer, focused on autonomous or remotely piloted systems.
• At least 2 years of RPIC (Remote Pilot‑in‑Command) experience.
• U.S. citizenship (ITAR) and ability to obtain/maintain a DoD security clearance.
• Willingness to obtain FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
• Proficiency with flight documentation, test cards, and post‑flight reports.
• Demonstrated ability to design, coordinate, and execute full‑lifecycle flight test programs.
• Strong data collection, analysis, and anomaly identification skills.
• Familiarity with FAA regulations, military airspace, and UAS safety protocols.
• Excellent communication, technical writing, and organizational abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• 7+ years flight test experience with autonomous/UAV systems (preferred).
• Existing FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (preferred).
• Experience in defense or military flight test environments (preferred).
• Ability to write test plans for FAA certification and produce customer‑facing reports (preferred).
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Simulink, C++, Python, and DOE methods (preferred).
• Hands‑on experience with flight instrumentation, telemetry, and data acquisition (preferred).
• Knowledge of environmental test standards (MIL‑STD, RTCA/DO) and design to those specs (preferred).
• Comfort in a fast‑paced startup R&D environment with high autonomy (preferred).
• FAA Class III (or higher) medical certificate (preferred).
• On‑site presence at San Diego headquarters; ability to lift up to 30 lb and wear PPE.
• Travel up to 40 % domestically for flight testing, integration events, and customer support.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean record for off‑site operations.
• Must be U.S. citizen, permanent resident, protected individual, or eligible for export‑control authorizations (ITAR/EAR).

Benefits

Compensation ranges from $95,000 to $165,000 USD and includes equity grants, a 401(k) plan, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, unlimited PTO, generous holidays, parental leave, and various spending and insurance benefits. Employees also receive 24/7 mental health resources and free legal and financial support services.

• Salary range $95,000 – $165,000 USD, adjusted for experience, location, and qualifications.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company contributions.
• Equity grants for new hires.
• Unlimited paid time off and generous holiday calendar.
• Parental leave and lifestyle spending account.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Dependent Care FSA, Health Savings Account (HSA), and hospital indemnity insurance.
• Critical illness, accident, short‑term and long‑term disability, and life/AD&D insurance (100 % employer‑covered).
• 24/7 free mental health resources, including therapy.
• Free legal and financial support services.

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance