Autonomous Electric Aircraft Flight Test Engineer

Socket.dev; Dixon (CA); On-site; USD 101,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

FSA with employer matching

401(k)

Paid holidays

PTO (paid time off)

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Pre-tax commuter benefits

Job summary

Pyka is seeking a flight test engineer to support development and testing of advanced autonomous aircraft. You will split time between Dixon and Victoria Island, CA, with occasional 1–2 week trips for demonstrations and customer support.

This multidisciplinary role requires strong communication, aircraft ground and flight operations standardization, and technical knowledge across manned and UAV flight operations. An engineering degree is not required, but technical literacy is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience flying fixed-wing UAVs 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; comfortable with 120 VDC, 20–30 kW systems.
• Familiarity with Linux, command line, and Git.
• Proficient in Portuguese or Spanish.
• Experience visualizing and analyzing data logs.
• Knowledge of aircraft systems and manuals.
• Independent and motivated with a strong work ethic; able to self-direct and manage time.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Guarantee continuous operations at local test sites by identifying, troubleshooting and fixing issues with remote help from Pyka’s engineering teams.
• Recommend new features, improvements, design changes, etc. to the design team.
• Conduct diverse fleet maintenance activities, involving the aircraft, ground infrastructure, laptops, and batteries.
• Assemble, prepare and 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 experience

Ground control software

Systems troubleshooting

High voltage safety

Linux & Git

Portuguese/Spanish

Data log analysis

Aircraft systems

Self-motivation

Attention to detail

Communication

Part 61 pilot

Job description

Pyka is seeking a flight test engineer to support development and testing of advanced autonomous aircraft. You will split time between Dixon and Victoria Island, CA, with occasional 1–2 week trips for demonstrations and customer support.

This multidisciplinary role requires strong communication, aircraft ground and flight operations standardization, and technical knowledge across manned and UAV flight operations. An engineering degree is not required, but technical literacy is essential.