UAV Test & Field Engineer

SE3 Labs; Erding; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Paid time off 31 days

AI tools access

Team retreats

Mentorship

Job summary

SE3 Labs is seeking a hands-on UAV Test & Field Engineer to join our development team in Germany. You will bring drones to life, test hardware and software integration, and drive flight readiness across Europe.

You will own qualification and field-testing strategy, work with hardware and software engineers, and help shape future drone platforms through rigorous data processing and documentation. Proficiency with QGroundControl, ArduPilot or PX4 and a proactive ownership mindset are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical field (Aerospace/Robotics).
• Hands-on experience assembling, tuning and operating drones (3+ years).
• Proficiency with QGroundControl, ArduPilot or PX4.
• Strong mission planning and airspace coordination skills.
• Excellent troubleshooting of drones and electronics.
• English required; German is a strong plus. Driving license class B is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Integrate & checkout UAVs with hardware & software teams for flight readiness.
• Launch and fly drones from backpackable quadcopters to 3m wingspan fixed‑wings (eVTOL).
• Own qualification and development flight testing, including data processing and documentation.
• Identify bugs and design flaws; propose improvements and drive faster iterations.
• Demonstrate systems to partners and end users across Europe.

Skills

Drones operation

Flight testing

QGroundControl

ArduPilot

PX4

Troubleshooting

Mission planning

Airspace coordination

German (plus)

Driving license B

Education

Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering or Robotics

Tools

CAD

3D printing

Job description

Join SE3 Labs as UAV Test & Field Engineer

Help us get our autonomous systems airborne and pushed to their limits. Turn advanced designs into robust, field-proven, real-world solutions. Early team, deep tech, high impact.

About SE3

SE3 Labs is building Spatial AI by combining 3D computer vision with large language models (LLMs). We believe the ability to reason about and act within physical space is foundational to unlocking the next generation of automation, from construction to smart infrastructure, and ultimately, defense.

Now, we’re building the physical platform to bring Spatial AI to life. That means high-performance, real-world robotic systems (starting with UAVs) and we’re looking for a hands‑on operator who’s ready to fly, demonstrate and perfect these machines with us.

About The Role

As our UAV Test & Field Engineer, you’ll play a key role in getting and keeping our fleet of autonomous drones in the air. Working as part of our development team, you will bring new drones to life where hardware and software come together and test their capabilities systematically in the real world. Your contribution will determine how well we understand our technology and define the path of our future development.

What You’ll Work On

• Integrate & Checkout: Work hand-in-hand with our hardware & software developers and technicians to complete integration and get new UAVs to flight readiness.


• Launch and Fly: Operate and fine‑tune drones from backpackable quadcopters to three meter wingspan fixed‑wings (eVTOL & catapult launch).


• Test Strategy: You own qualification and development flight testing, from structure and organization over execution in the field to data processing and documentation.


• Improve & Suggest: Spot bugs and design flaws, propose & evaluate improvements, and help us move faster and build better.


• Demonstrate & Train: Introduce our systems to partners and end users on our test-base and in the field across Europe.

Your Profile

• You’ve completed a Bachelors in Aerospace Engineering, Robotics or another relevant technical field


• You bring hands‑on experience assembling, tuning and operating drones: 3+ years professionally or equivalent in racing / competition / enthusiast projects


• You are intimate with Q Ground Control, Ardupilot or PX4


• You bring a responsible and structured approach to mission‑planning, airspace coordination, etc.


• You’re skilled in troubleshooting drones and electronics


• You care about precision, quality and a systematic problem‑solving approach


• You are proactive, willing to improvise and have a strong sense of ownership


• Conversational English is a must; German is a strong plus


• Driving license class B, BE is a plus

Especially Valued Bonus Skills

• Data analysis skills (log interpretation, root cause-, frequency domain analysis)


• You are familiar with using a command line and basic scripting


• Experience running environmental tests like vibration, EMI or thermal, ideally MIL‑Spec


• Regulatory experience (EASA SORA or similar frameworks)


• Good understanding of sensors, signal chains, and testing setups


• Familiarity with CAD and 3D printing


• Completed military basic training and/or understanding of army processes

Perks & Benefits

• Make your passion your job: If you love drones, you will relish this role


• AI‑boosted workplace: We empower every employee with best‑in‑class AI tools and agents, giving you unlimited access to the latest advancements and a true productivity edge


• Real Ownership: Get early, real stock options to participate directly in SE3’s growth


• 31 Paid Days Off: 30 vacation days plus your birthday off


• Well-being Access: Free membership to gyms, yoga, and wellness through EGYM Wellpass


• Team Offsites: We go on 2 company retreats per year, our last ones were in Italy, Greece and Spain


• Mentorship: Work closely with experienced engineers and get paired with a professional mentor to support your growth

Our Process

• Intro Call (20 min): Let’s get to know each other (conducted by our Talent Team)


• Technical Interview (45 min): We dive deeper into your technical experience and problem-solving (with Francisco, our Founding Drone Engineer)


• Onsite Trial/Case (2 hrs): We’ll test and troubleshoot something together, just like on the job (together with our Hardware Team)


• Team Dinner/Lunch: See if it’s a culture fit on both sides (can be integrated into the Onsite to accommodate long journeys)