Flight Test Lead – High-Performance UAS & Defense

Alta Ares; Blagnac; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Alta Ares is seeking a Flight Test Engineer to plan, execute, and document flight test campaigns for unmanned and guided systems. You will work with Avionics, Software, and Mechanical teams to define instrumentation, analyze data, and drive performance improvements.

The role requires hands-on field work, strong communication, and the ability to coordinate with military test ranges across Europe. Fluent English is essential; French is a plus.

Qualifications

• Degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 2+ years of flight test experience on UAS, fixed-wing, rotary-wing, or guided munitions.
• Proven track record writing test plans and leading test campaigns.
• Solid understanding of flight dynamics, flight control systems, and aircraft performance.
• Strong data analysis skills and telemetry experience.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare, and lead flight test campaigns from prototype to mature configurations.
• Write test plans, test cards, risk assessments, and safety cases.
• Act as test conductor on the range; run pre-flight checks, coordinate the team, and make go/no-go decisions.
• Coordinate with range authorities, airspace regulators, and test centres to secure slots and approvals.
• Define instrumentation and requirements for each test objective; analyze flight data and assess performance against requirements.
• Produce clear test reports and drive root-cause investigations with engineering teams.

Skills

Flight test experience

Data analysis

Telemetry experience

Coordination of test teams

English fluency

French a plus

Education

Degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering

Tools

PX4/ArduPilot

Ground Control Stations

Data logging tools

Job description

Alta Ares is seeking a Flight Test Engineer to plan, execute, and document flight test campaigns for unmanned and guided systems. You will work with Avionics, Software, and Mechanical teams to define instrumentation, analyze data, and drive performance improvements.

The role requires hands-on field work, strong communication, and the ability to coordinate with military test ranges across Europe. Fluent English is essential; French is a plus.