1099 Contract-Flight Test Engineer UAS Field Operations Engineer

Soaring Eagle Technologies; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 96,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Soaring Eagle Technologies is seeking a Flight Test Engineer / UAS Field Operations Engineer for a 1099 contract based in Tucson, AZ. The role involves high-priority deployment, extensive nationwide travel, and hands-on testing of autonomous UAS platforms and related systems.

The assignment begins in Tucson with an initial 1–2 month term and may extend to ongoing projects across the United States, including BVLOS and advanced autonomy programs.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on UAS flight testing or related aerospace engineering experience.
• Experience with PX4, ArduPilot, or similar flight control systems.
• Complex autonomous flight operations experience.
• Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills.
• Current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.

Responsibilities

• Build, integrate, configure, and test autonomous UAS platforms and supporting systems.
• Execute flight test campaigns from initial integration through operational validation.
• Support GPS-denied, degraded-GPS, BVLOS, and advanced autonomy testing efforts.
• Analyze flight logs and mission data to identify root causes and corrective actions.
• Conduct customer demonstrations and represent Soaring Eagle professionally nationwide.

Skills

UAS flight testing

PX4/ArduPilot

Autonomous flight ops

Troubleshooting

FAA Part 107

Job description

Flight Test Engineer / UAS Field Operations Engineer (1099 Contract)

Location: Tucson, Arizona

Employment Type: 1099 Contractor (Project-Based)

Travel Requirement: Extensive nationwide travel required (50-75%+)

Project Term: Initial 1-2 month project with strong potential for ongoing project assignments based on contract terms and deliverables.

About Soaring Eagle Technologies

Soaring Eagle Technologies is a leader in advanced aerial data collection, utility inspections, LiDAR mapping, autonomous aviation technologies, and mission-critical UAS operations across the United States.

Assignment Overview

This assignment will begin with a high-priority deployment based in Tucson, Arizona, supporting advanced UAS testing and operational validation activities. The initial engagement is expected to last approximately 1-2 months. Successful completion may lead to additional opportunities supporting utility inspections, BVLOS operations, advanced autonomy programs, customer demonstrations, and flight test campaigns nationwide.

Key Responsibilities/ Deliverables

• Build, integrate, configure, and test autonomous UAS platforms and supporting systems.
• Execute flight test campaigns from initial integration through operational validation.
• Support GPS-denied, degraded-GPS, BVLOS, and advanced autonomy testing efforts.
• Analyze flight logs and mission data to identify root causes and corrective actions.
• Conduct customer demonstrations and represent Soaring Eagle professionally nationwide.

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on UAS flight testing or related aerospace engineering experience.
• Experience with PX4, ArduPilot, or similar flight control systems.
• Complex autonomous flight operations experience.
• Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills.
• Current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.

What Makes This Assignment Unique

Immediate Tucson-based project with substantial travel, autonomy, exposure to cutting-edge technologies, and ongoing contract opportunities based on project success.

This engagement is for an independent contractor and not an employee position. No employee benefits are offered. The contractor will maintain control over the methods, scheduling, and performance of the services, provided all contractual deliverables and deadlines are met.