Flight Test Engineer - Drones (m/f/d)

Alpine Eagle; Karlsruhe; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Alpine Eagle in Karlsruhe develops counter-UAS systems and UAV technologies. We seek a hands-on Flight Test Engineer to design, execute, and validate test flights, working with hardware, software, and mission teams to assess intercept capabilities.

You will travel to remote test sites, perform pre/post-flight inspections, analyze flight data, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance while supporting government and defense demonstrations.

Qualifications

• Military background preferred.
• UAV flight testing experience.
• Drone Pilot Certificate/License preferred.
• Experience with flight control systems.
• Familiarity with RF comms, telemetry and UAV integration.
• Comfortable in fast-paced field test environments.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute comprehensive test plans for UAVs and counter-drone systems.
• Operate drones and test equipment in various flight test scenarios (manual, semi-autonomous, and fully autonomous).
• Integrate payloads, sensors, and detection/interdiction systems onto UAV platforms.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams to diagnose and resolve system failures in the field.
• Conduct pre-flight and post-flight inspections, logging test data and anomalies.
• Analyze flight data, prepare test reports, and recommend improvements.
• Ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
• Support field demonstrations for government and defense customers.
• Occasionally travel to remote test sites and military ranges as required.

Skills

UAV flight testing experience

Military background

Drone Pilot Certificate/License

Flight control systems

RF communications & telemetry

UAV integration

Tools

Flight control systems

Telemetry systems

RF communications

Job description

At Alpine Eagle, we are a team of specialists with backgrounds in defence, aerospace engineering and machine learning, building the first airborne, swarm‑based system to provide protection against the rising drone threat. We believe that recent conflicts have shown the malicious and disruptive potential of drones in both civilian and defense scenarios. In addition, we are convinced that the next step in counter‑drone is air‑to‑air. We want to ensure that all governments and institutions that believe in personal freedom and the rule of law have cutting edge solutions to protect against this rising threat.

We offer a work environment that is inclusive and open, with a flat hierarchy, and a purpose‑driven team. We want to reinforce a culture where great ideas can flourish, and great people collaborate.

We are seeking a hands‑on and motivated Flight Test Engineer to support unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight testing in support of our Counter‑UAS systems. You will be at the front lines of system validation – working closely with hardware, software, and mission teams to plan, execute, and evaluate test flights of drone systems and their intercept capabilities.

How you will make an impact

• Design and execute comprehensive test plans for UAVs and counter‑drone systems.
• Operate drones and test equipment in various flight test scenarios (manual, semi‑autonomous, and fully autonomous).
• Integrate payloads, sensors, and detection/interdiction systems onto UAV platforms.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams to diagnose and resolve system failures in the field.
• Conduct pre‑flight and post‑flight inspections, logging test data and anomalies.
• Analyze flight data, prepare test reports, and recommend improvements.
• Ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
• Support field demonstrations for government and defense customers.
• Occasionally travel to remote test sites and military ranges as required.

What you need to be successful

• Military background, e.g. previous military service, military studies, or similar highly preferred.
• UAV flight testing experience.
• Ideally Drone Pilot Certificate/License.
• Experience with flight control systems.
• Ideally familiar with RF comms, telemetry, and UAV integration.
• Comfortable in fast‑paced field test environments.

At Alpine Eagle, we are committed to diversity and equal opportunity. We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, or sexual identity.