Senior Flight Test Engineer

Description

• Conduct and manage developmental flight tests on sub‑scale and full‑scale UAVs.
• Design, execute, 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 decisions, and enforcing test discipline.
• Plan and lead ground tests, including risk assessments and readiness reviews.
• Analyze test data using DOE, regression, MATLAB, Simulink, or Python to guide engineering decisions.
• Build custom test setups, fixtures, and data‑acquisition tools for repeatable validation.
• Source, operate, calibrate, and ensure integrity of flight instrumentation and sensors.
• Collaborate with autonomy, software, hardware, and product teams to define test requirements.
• Track, document, and resolve flight squawks with traceability.
• Conduct technical risk assessments and ensure compliance with FAA and internal safety regulations.
• Document results, root‑cause analyses, and corrective actions for internal and external stakeholders.
• Standardize test documentation, tools, and processes across programs.
• Coordinate with private and government ranges to obtain regulatory approvals for flight testing.

Requirements

The position is based on‑site at Firestorm’s headquarters in San Diego, CA, and requires up to 40 % domestic travel, occasional lifting of up to 30 lb, and work in varied outdoor conditions. A valid driver’s license and flexibility to work non‑standard hours are required.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Robotics, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum 5 years experience as a flight test engineer, focusing on autonomous or RPAS systems.
• At least 2 years Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) experience.
• U.S. citizenship (ITAR) and ability to obtain a DoD security clearance.
• Willingness to obtain FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
• Proficiency with flight documentation such as checklists, 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 technical writing and communication abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• 7+ years flight test experience with autonomous systems (preferred).
• Existing FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (preferred).
• Experience in defense or military flight test environments (preferred).
• Ability to write FAA certification test plans and customer‑facing reports (preferred).
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Simulink, C++, Python, and scripting for data automation (preferred).
• Hands‑on experience with flight telemetry, data acquisition, and signal‑processing techniques (preferred).
• Knowledge of DOE methods and environmental test standards (MIL‑STD, RTCA/DO) (preferred).
• Comfort in a fast‑paced startup R&D setting with high autonomy (preferred).
• FAA Class III (or higher) medical certificate (preferred).

Benefits

The salary range is $95,000–$165,000 USD, supplemented by equity, comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans, 401(k) matching, unlimited PTO, generous holidays, parental leave, and a suite of insurance and mental‑health benefits.

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance