Lead UAS Flight Test Engineer for Autonomous Aircraft Trials

SYOS Aerospace; Fareham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

SYOS Aerospace in the United Kingdom is seeking a UAS Flight Test Engineer to drive flight test campaigns from prototype through evaluation to operational capability. This hands-on role blends engineering with flight operations, requiring planning, leading pilots and engineers, and translating flight data into actionable insights.

You will own test activities across fixed-wing and rotary UAS platforms, develop flight test plans and risk assessments, and coordinate airspace, ground support and

Qualifications

• Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, or related technical discipline.
• 3+ years leading complex UAS flight trials in aerospace R&D, T&E, or regulated environments.
• Proven experience flight testing fixed-wing and/or rotary-wing UAS.
• Structured test processes: test cards, plans and risk assessments.
• Experience in regulated UAS or aviation organisations.
• Experience leading small operational teams.
• Strong understanding of flight safety and risk management.
• Experience planning VLOS and BVLOS operations.
• Ability to interpret telemetry/logs into engineering insights.
• Excellent communication and independent decision-making when safety is on the line.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of flight test activities across fixed-wing and rotary UAS platforms.
• Plan and lead complex UAS flight test campaigns from preparation through analysis.
• Develop Flight Test Plans, Risk Assessments, Method Statements and test cards.
• Define clear test objectives and success criteria for aircraft, payloads and systems.
• Coordinate live test activity, airspace, test areas and ground support.
• Lead pre-flight briefings and post-flight debriefs with pilots and engineers.
• Act as technical authority on-site for flight safety and test execution.
• Monitor aircraft health, telemetry, systems and environmental conditions during flight.
• Analyse flight data to understand performance and identify issues.
• Produce clear test/evaluation reports with findings and actions.

Skills

UAS flight testing

Flight test planning

Telemetry interpretation

Risk assessments

Team leadership

Safety management

VLOS/BVLOS planning

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering / Robotics / Systems Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

SYOS Aerospace in the United Kingdom is seeking a UAS Flight Test Engineer to drive flight test campaigns from prototype through evaluation to operational capability. This hands-on role blends engineering with flight operations, requiring planning, leading pilots and engineers, and translating flight data into actionable insights.

You will own test activities across fixed-wing and rotary UAS platforms, develop flight test plans and risk assessments, and coordinate airspace, ground support and