Flight Test Engineer

**Senior Flight Test Engineer** We are seeking a self-motivated Senior Flight Test Engineer to join our team. The engineer will assist in the multi-functional product development of new designs while collaborating with other engineering disciplines and project personnel. You will play a crucial role in the planning, execution, and analysis of flight tests for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). You will work with cross-functional teams to develop test plans, conduct flight tests, and ensure that UAV systems meet performance, safety, and reliability standards. This position requires a strong background in aerospace engineering, a deep understanding of UAV systems, and experience in flight testing. This role involves working on multiple platforms and vehicles, supporting both ground and flight-testing operations. **Responsibilities and Duties:** - Provide testing and flight-testing support for company projects. - Develop and maintain high-quality testing documentation to include detailed test plans that describe objectives, methodologies, safety protocols, and resource requirements - Represent testing interests when collaborating with project teams. - Work with design engineers, systems engineers, and software developers to define specific test requirements and procedures and develop engineering test strategies for new and existing products. - Collaborate with assembly and engineering personnel to test prototype units and ensure proper execution and documentation. - Conduct pre-flight inspections and system checks to ensure the readiness of UAVs for testing. - Lead or participate in the execution of flight tests. - Monitor and analyze flight data in real-time to ensure the achievement of test objectives. - Conduct risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies to ensure safe operations. - Lead post-test debriefs to identify lessons learned and incorporate them into future testing. - Work with field service personnel and engineers to create test procedures addressing specific product issues observed in the field. - Act as an engineering interface to resolve production test issues. - Train personnel in proper testing techniques. - Look for improvements throughout the testing process to reduce costs or improve test coverage. - Support the creation of system requirements, trade studies, sub-component, and flight test plans. - Coordinate with suppliers, internal and external integrated product teams. - Provide manufacturing, component test, and ground/flight test support. - Investigate and determine root cause of component failures and recommend corrective actions. - Develop engineering drawings, schematics, and design specifications. - Ensure circuit protection, isolation, redundancy, and fault tolerance for flight systems. - Present results through technical drawings, written reports, and oral presentations to customers and senior project management. - Mentor and guide junior flight test engineers **Required Qualifications and Skills:** - Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent. - 5-8 years of experience in aerospace engineering, with at least 3-5 years in UAV flight testing or a closely related field. Hands-on experience in planning and conducting flight tests for unmanned systems. - Experience with power distribution systems theory, design, test, or analysis. - Experience with electric motor and controller/inverter theory, design, test, or analysis. - Able to work with high voltage (>500V). - Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. - Proficiency in flight test software and simulation tools. - Excellent communication and teamwork abilities. - Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. - Understanding of structures, mechanisms, system layout, materials, and processes. - Experience with data collection and reduction software (LabView, MatLab). - Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). - Experience with SolidWorks and SolidWorks PDM (or similar). - Structural or thermal analysi…