Flight Test Engineer

Stark; Gotha; Vor Ort; EUR 70.000 - 100.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

STARK, a defence technology company, seeks a Flight Test Engineer to oversee end-to-end flight test campaigns, from planning to data analysis, serving as onsite leader on the range.

You will work with Ardupilot and PX4-based flight control systems, develop comprehensive test plans, and use MATLAB or Python for data processing while mentoring engineers and pilots and ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.

Qualifikationen

• Bachelors or higher in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering.
• Professional-level written and verbal English.
• NATO citizenship required due to export control and security regulations.

Aufgaben

• Act as Onsite Test Coordinator: lead daily operations on the range and communicate priorities.
• Coordinate and execute UAV flight tests in compliance with safety standards.
• Develop flight test plans, cards, and hazard assessments.
• Process and analyze flight data using MATLAB or Python with a focus on validating performance.

Kenntnisse

On-site leadership

Data analysis

Coordination

English communication

Ausbildung

Bachelors or higher in Aerospace/Electrical/Mechanical/Systems Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Ardupilot

PX4

Jobbeschreibung

STARK is a new kind of defence technology company, revolutionizing the way autonomous systems are deployed across multiple domains. We design, develop and manufacture high-performance unmanned systems that are software-defined, mass-scalable, and cost-effective. This provides our operators with a decisive edge in highly contested environments. We're focused on delivering deployable, high-performance systems. In a time of rising threats, STARK is bolstering the technological edge of NATO Allies and their Partners to deter aggression and defend Europe.

Flight Test Engineer

As a Flight Test Engineer , you are the "Conductor of the Flight Line." Depending on your seniority, you will be responsible for the end-to-end lifecycle of our flight test campaigns, from initial planning and hazard assessment to execution and deep-dive data analysis. Beyond the technical data, you serve as the primary Onsite Leader . You are the person who ensures testing priorities are crystal clear to everyone on the range. You manage the daily tempo, coordinate the crew, and ensure that every person, from pilots to software engineers, knows exactly which tests are being conducted and when. Your mission is to transform raw flight data into actionable insights while maintaining a high-tempo, disciplined, and safe testing environment.

Onsite Test Coordination & Leadership

• Act as the Onsite Test Coordinator: Lead daily operations on the range, ensuring the team stays focused on the primary test objectives.
• Clarify Priorities: Maintain and communicate the "Daily Flight Schedule," ensuring everyone knows the sequence of events and current testing priorities.
• Lead Briefings: Drive the morning "Pre-Flight Brief" and the evening "Debrief," capturing critical feedback and setting goals for the following day.
• Resource Management: Coordinate the availability of airframes, ground support equipment, and personnel to maximize range time efficiency.

Flight Execution & Safety

• Coordinate and execute UAV flight tests in compliance with regulatory requirements and STARK safety standards.
• Ensure all flight activities and anomalies are documented with high fidelity.
• Develop specific Flight Test Techniques (FTTs) and instrumentation requirements to capture critical performance metrics.
• Lead Flight Readiness Reviews (FRR) and contribute to safety review boards.

Test Design & Data Analysis

• Develop comprehensive flight test plans, test cards, and rigorous flight test hazard assessments (FTHA).
• Process and analyze flight data using MATLAB or Python to validate system performance against requirements.
• Work closely with Ardupilot and PX4-based flight control systems to iterate on flight behavior and performance.
• Manage the configuration of flight test articles, ensuring all hardware and software versions are meticulously tracked.

Your First 12 Months Timeframe Focus

• Month 0-1: Integration Deep dive into STARK UAV architectures and safety manuals. Shadow current flight tests to learn our operational tempo and coordination style.
• Month 1-3: Operational Lead Begin acting as the primary Onsite Coordinator for production tests. Take ownership of the daily flight schedule and ensure high-fidelity logging of all sorties.
• Month 3-6: Optimization Lead complex experimental campaigns. Refine our onsite communication tools to ensure 100% clarity on test priorities across the engineering team.
• Month 6-12: Leadership Act as Test Director for multi-asset campaigns. Mentor junior engineers and pilots on structured test execution, range management, and regulatory compliance.

Educational & Legal Background

Degree: Bachelor's or higher in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering. NATO Citizenship: Must be a citizen of a NATO member state (due to export control and security regulations). Communication: Professional-level written and verbal English.

Technical & Leadership Toolkit Coordination Skills

• Coordination Skills: Proven ability to lead a technical team on-site, manage schedules, and communicate priorities clearly under pressure.
• Data Mastery: Practical experience in data reduction and analysis using MATLAB or Python.
• UAV Systems: Familiarity with Ground Control Stations (GCS), telemetry systems, and mission planning tools.
• Testing Rigor: Proven ability to plan and conduct system-level tests in an aerospace or defense environment.

Mindset & Style

• The "General" Mindset: You are naturally organized and can work through ambiguity on the flight line.
• Analytical & Decisive: You can analyze a data anomaly quickly and decide whether to continue testing.
• Meticulous Documenter: You believe that if it wasn't documented with high fidelity, the test never happened.

Preferred Experience

• Active experience as an FTE or Test Director in crewed or uncrewed aviation.
• Hands‑on experience with flight test instrumentation (FTI) and DAQ systems.
• Experience with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation environments.