Autonomous Flight Test Engineer - Electric Aircraft

Remote; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 101,000 - 142,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision insurance

401(k)

Paid holidays & PTO

Disability insurance

Pre-tax commuter benefits

Equity

Job summary

Pyka is seeking a flight test engineer to support development and testing of its autonomous aircraft. You will operate primarily in Dixon or Victoria Island, CA, with travel for spray and cargo demonstrations, and to customer sites.

You will help standardize ground and flight operations, procedures, and training materials, while contributing to product evolution. The role prefers an engineering background but does not require a degree; strong technical knowledge of flight operations with manned

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.
• Located in Solano or Contra Costa County.
• We understand that candidates bring different strengths and experiences, and you don’t need to meet every qualification to be considered. If this role excites you, we’d love to learn more about you. You may be a great fit even if your background doesn’t align perfectly with the list.

Responsibilities

• Guarantee continuous operations at local test sites by identifying, troubleshooting and fixing any arising issues, with the remote help of Pyka’s engineering teams
• 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 experience

Ground control software

Electrical systems

Mechanical systems

High voltage safety

Linux & Git

Data logs analysis

Aircraft systems

Self-motivation

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Part 61 pilot

Portuguese/Spanish

Job description

Pyka is seeking a flight test engineer to support development and testing of its autonomous aircraft. You will operate primarily in Dixon or Victoria Island, CA, with travel for spray and cargo demonstrations, and to customer sites.

You will help standardize ground and flight operations, procedures, and training materials, while contributing to product evolution. The role prefers an engineering background but does not require a degree; strong technical knowledge of flight operations with manned