Flight Test Engineer

Randstad Digital; Salisbury; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

Randstad Digital is seeking a hands-on Flight Test Engineer (UAV) to drive ground and flight evaluation of next-generation unmanned systems. You will operate at the crossroads of flight operations, engineering, and data analysis to translate bench work into successful flight campaigns.

In a fast-paced, startup-style environment, you will solve problems without a playbook, get hands dirty in the field, and lead tests from planning to reporting.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of hands-on flight test or flight dynamics experience with unmanned aerial systems.
• Proven experience operating UAVs as a pilot/operator during live testing (qualifications preferred).
• Experience processing flight logs and telemetry using Python or MATLAB.
• Ability to build test plans, safety procedures, and risk analyses from scratch.
• Strong knowledge of airworthiness, risk mitigation, and field test safety protocols.

Responsibilities

• Create comprehensive flight-test plans, safety procedures, hazard analyses, and test cards.
• Oversee pre-flight integration, system calibration, bench tests, and ground-power checks.
• Lead field test execution as UAV Remote Pilot / Air Boss and collect key telemetry.
• Process and analyze log files to evaluate stability, handling, and performance.
• Prepare clear, actionable reports and brief engineering teams for design iterations.

Skills

Flight test engineering

Python

MATLAB

UAV operations

Agile mindset

Tools

Python

MATLAB

PX4/Logstash

Job description

We are looking for a hands-on, highly adaptable Flight Test Engineer (UAV) to lead the ground and flight evaluation of our next-generation unmanned aerial systems. Operating at the intersection of flight operations, engineering, and data analysis, you will be instrumental in taking our platforms from the bench to successful flight execution.

If you thrive in fast-paced, startup-style environments, enjoy solving problems without relying on an existing playbook, and love getting your hands dirty in the field, this is the role for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Test Planning & Risk Assessment: Author comprehensive, flight-test plans, safety procedures, hazard analyses, and test cards tailored to evolving engineering goals.
• Flight Preparation & Ground Testing: Oversee pre-flight integration, system calibration, bench tests, and ground-power checks prior to field deployment.
• Flight Operations & Execution: Lead field test execution, acting as the UAV Remote Pilot / Air Boss to safely gather crucial flight telemetry and performance metrics.
• Post-Flight Data Analysis: Extract, process, and analyze log files and telemetry data to evaluate aircraft stability, handling, and flight performance against design specs.
• Technical Reporting: Generate clear, actionable test reports and brief cross-functional engineering teams to drive iterative design improvements.

What We Are Looking For

• 3 to 5 years of hands-on flight test or flight dynamics engineering experience with unmanned aerial systems (fixed-wing, VTOL, or multirotor).
• Practical Flight Operations: Validated experience operating UAVs as a pilot/operator during live testing (A2 CofC, GVC, or equivalent qualification preferred).
• Data-Driven Evaluation: Familiarity with processing flight logs and telemetry using tools like Python, MATLAB, or PX4/Logstash.
• Agile Mindset: Proven ability to operate autonomously, adapt quickly to shifting test objectives, and build test processes from the ground up.
• Safety First: Strong foundational knowledge of airworthiness standards, risk mitigation, and field test safety protocols.