Autonomous Aircraft Flight Test Engineer

Booster; California (MO); On-site; USD 101,000 - 142,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k)

Paid holidays and PTO

Pre-tax commuter benefits

Vision and dental insurance

Job summary

Pyka seeks a flight test engineer to support the development and testing of its autonomous electric aircraft. You will split time between Dixon and Victoria Island, CA, with 1–2 week travel for spray and cargo demonstrations and customer support.

The role requires hands-on work with UAVs, flight operations, and data analysis. Strong communication is essential; engineering degree not required but technical knowledge is expected.

Qualifications

• Experience flying fixed wing UAVs / model aircraft or large multirotors.
• Experience with ground control and mission planning software.
• Experience with mechanical and electrical systems, assembly, and troubleshooting.
• Basic high voltage safety knowledge and comfortable working on 120 VDC, 20 ~ 30 kW systems.
• Familiarity with linux, command line usage, git.
• Proficient in Portuguese or Spanish.
• Experience visualizing and analyzing data logs.
• Knowledge of aircraft systems and manuals.
• Independent and motivated, with an extremely strong work ethic; able to self-direct and manage time.
• Extreme attention to detail and thoroughness.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Part 61 pilot certificate is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Guarantee continuous operations at local test sites by identifying, troubleshooting and fixing any arising issues.
• Recommend new features, improvements, design changes, etc. to the design team.
• Conduct diverse fleet maintenance activities, involving the aircraft itself, ground infrastructure, laptops, and batteries.
• Assemble, prepare and fully test airframe airworthiness post production and before shipment to customer sites.
• Serve as Pilot In Command or Ground Control Operator of experimental / developmental unmanned aircraft.
• Lead and/or participate in ground and flight test events as Test Conductor or Test Crew member.
• Manage complex logistics in support of flight operations.

Skills

UAV flight operations

Ground control systems

Electrical and mechanical systems

High voltage safety

Linux

Git

Portuguese or Spanish proficiency

Data log analysis

Aircraft systems knowledge

Pilot certification (Part 61) is aPlus

Tools

Ground control software

Mission planning software

Linux

Git

Job description

Pyka seeks a flight test engineer to support the development and testing of its autonomous electric aircraft. You will split time between Dixon and Victoria Island, CA, with 1–2 week travel for spray and cargo demonstrations and customer support.

The role requires hands-on work with UAVs, flight operations, and data analysis. Strong communication is essential; engineering degree not required but technical knowledge is expected.