Senior Flight Test Engineer & Drone Aviator

NestAI; Tampere; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Occupational healthcare

Epassi Flex benefit

Lunch benefit

Team lunches and all-hands events

Choice of Mac or PC

Holiday allowance

Phone benefit

Job summary

NestAI in Tampere is looking for Senior Flight Test Engineers / Drone Aviators to lead field testing and design rigorous test matrices for UAV platforms, bridging edge-AI software, hardware prototypes, and flight dynamics.

You will own flight safety, navigate EASA/Traficom rules, and stress-test autonomous systems in challenging environments, with hands-on work on PX4/ArduPilot stacks, sensors, and payloads.

Qualifications

• Extensive hands-on UAV piloting in complex environments.
• Commercial/advanced UAV certifications under EASA/Traficom.
• Structured flight testing experience with data collection and reporting in tools like Jira.

Responsibilities

• Design, plan, and execute complex test flights for multirotor and fixed-wing UAVs.
• Analyze flight logs, telemetry, and sensor data to provide deep technical insights.
• Maintain safety protocols, risk assessments (SORA/PDRA), and flight logs per regulations.
• Perform hardware configuration, PID tuning, payload integration, and field troubleshooting.

Skills

UAV piloting

Flight testing

Regulatory compliance

Data analysis

Safety leadership

Communication

Education

Advanced UAV certifications (EASA/Traficom)

Tools

PX4

ArduPilot

QGroundControl

Mission Planner

Job description

Company

NestAI is a European AI lab for defence delivering the adaptive operating system for modern battlefield operations. We develop adaptive intelligence for unmanned and command systems: AI that continuously learns from operational data and adapts to changing conditions.

NestOS is our open, modular and interoperable platform that enables this at scale and keeps capability evolution under sovereign European control. Founded in 2025 by Peter Sarlin, whose previous company Silo AI became Europe's largest AI acquisition, NestAI brings together over 150 engineers and scientists and partners with leading European defence forces and industry.

Role Description

We are looking for 2x Senior Flight Test Engineers / Drone Aviators to join our team full-time in Tampere.

In this role, you will be much more than a remote pilot; you will lead field testing, design rigorous test matrices, and serve as the critical feedback loop between edge-AI software, hardware prototypes, and real-world flight dynamics. You will own flight safety, navigate regulatory frameworks (e.g., EASA/Traficom Specific category), and stress-test autonomous systems in challenging environments.

This position is ideal for an experienced UAV operator or flight test specialist who deeply understands airframes, sensors, telemetry, and flight controllers, and who can systematically evaluate physical AI under real-world conditions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, plan, and execute complex manual, semi-autonomous, and fully autonomous test flights for multirotor and/or fixed-wing UAV platforms.
• Analyze flight logs, telemetry, and sensor data to provide deep technical insights to core engineering teams.
• Maintain operational safety protocols, risk assessments (SORA/PDRA), and flight logs. Ensure full compliance with EASA/Traficom regulatory frameworks.
• Perform advanced hardware configuration, PID tuning, payload integration, and field troubleshooting (PX4/ArduPilot ecosystems or custom flight controllers).
• Lead field deployment logistics, manage site clearances, evaluate weather limits, and oversee field safety for testing teams.

Qualifications

• Aviation & Pilot Expertise: Extensive hands-on experience piloting UAVs (multirotor, VTOL, or fixed-wing) in complex operational environments. Must hold relevant commercial/advanced certifications (e.g., A1/A3, A2, or Specific Category / STS experience under EASA/Traficom).
• Technical Depth: Deep understanding of flight control software (PX4, ArduPilot, QGroundControl, Mission Planner), telemetry links, RF systems, and sensor integration (EO/IR, LiDAR, GPS-denied navigation).
• Flight Testing Background: Proven track record in structured flight testing, data collection, and logging/reporting issues in Jira or similar tools.
• Mechanical & Electronics Skills: Practical expertise in airframe maintenance, soldering, hardware modifications, and field repairs.
• You have exceptional situational awareness, calm under pressure during uncommanded aircraft behaviour, and a rigorous approach to safety and documentation.
• Valid driver's license (B-class) is required for transporting equipment and mobile ground stations to flight test sites.
• Experience with defence/security operational environments, BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations, or background in aeronautical engineering/avionics is considered as an advantage.

Why join NestAI

At NestAI, you’ll build meaningful, real-world technology as part of a world-class team of engineers, scientists, and experienced professionals. You’ll work on systems where reliability genuinely matters, contribute to Europe’s security and resilience, and solve problems that demand depth, trust, and craftsmanship.

If you want to build with purpose — and with leading experts in the field — you’ve come to the right place.

Perks & Benefits

We offer a growing set of practical benefits to support your work and wellbeing, day to day:

• Occupational healthcare (currently provided by Mehiläinen)
• Epassi Flex benefit (sports, culture, commuting, wellbeing)
• Lunch benefit (25% tax-free coverage)
• Regular team lunches and all-hands events
• Your choice of Mac or PC
• Holiday allowance (50% of holiday salary)
• Phone benefit according to company policy (subscription and device)

We are continuously developing and expanding our benefits as we grow.

Practicalities

Employment is subject to applicable security screening (including SUPO, where required).

This position requires on-site presence at our Tampere office and traveling to different testing sites in Finland. Remote work is unfortunately not possible due to the nature of work. You are also expected to hold a relevant certification and a valid driver’s license.

NestAI is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants based on their skills, experience, and potential.