Chief Flight Test Engineer

Fruition Group US; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Fruition Group partners with a fast-growing drone technology company to hire a Chief Flight Test Engineer responsible for owning the flight test program for unmanned aircraft systems through envelope expansion to certification-level campaigns.

You will plan test cards, fly or direct missions, analyze telemetry, and stay hands-on while aircraft are in the air. This is a leadership role with direct airworthiness and regulatory involvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field; advanced degree a plus.
• 10+ years of flight test experience with leadership of a program or team.
• Hands-on flight test experience with unmanned aircraft (fixed-wing, rotary, or VTOL).
• Knowledge of instrumentation, data acquisition, and telemetry analysis.
• Airworthiness, flight safety, and regulatory processes relevant to UAS operations.

Responsibilities

• Own flight test strategy and test plans from envelope expansion to certification-like campaigns.
• Design test cards and run campaigns safely and efficiently.
• Work hands-on with aircraft, instrumentation, and ground control systems.
• Analyze flight data to validate performance and drive root-cause investigations.
• Lead a flight test team including pilots, engineers, and instrumentation specialists.

Skills

Flight test leadership

UAS flight testing

Data analysis & telemetry

Test planning & go/no-go

Airworthiness & regulatory

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Advanced degree (plus)

Tools

Telemetry systems

Flight test instrumentation

Ground control systems

Job description

Fruition Group is partnering with a fast-growing drone technology company to find their next Chief Flight Test Engineer. Our client needs an experienced, hands-on flight test leader to own the test program for their unmanned aircraft systems - from early flight envelope expansion through certification-level test campaigns - as the platform matures toward production and fielded operations.

This is not a desk job. You'll be planning test cards, flying or directing test missions, analyzing telemetry, and getting your hands on the aircraft between flights. It's a role for someone who wants to lead a test program and still be the one in the loop when the aircraft is in the air.

What You'll Do

• Own the flight test strategy and test plans for the company's unmanned aircraft, from initial envelope expansion through advanced mission profiles.
• Design test cards, define success criteria, and run flight test campaigns safely and efficiently.
• Work hands-on with the aircraft and ground control systems during test operations, including pre-flight checks, instrumentation, and post-flight debriefs.
• Analyze flight data and telemetry to validate performance, identify anomalies, and drive root-cause investigations.
• Partner closely with systems, controls, avionics, and airworthiness engineers to translate test results into design and software improvements.
• Build and lead a flight test team, including test pilots, flight test engineers, and instrumentation specialists.
• Own flight safety review processes and serve as the final technical authority on flight readiness decisions.
• Support certification and regulatory engagement (e.g., FAA) as the program matures toward type certification or equivalent approvals.

What Our Client Is Looking For

• 10+ years of flight test experience, including experience leading a flight test program or team.
• Direct, hands-on flight test experience with unmanned aircraft systems (fixed-wing, rotary, or VTOL).
• Strong understanding of flight test techniques, instrumentation, data acquisition, and telemetry analysis.
• Experience developing test plans and test cards, and making flight-readiness and go/no-go decisions.
• Working knowledge of airworthiness, flight safety, and regulatory processes relevant to UAS operations.
• Comfortable operating as both a technical leader and an individual contributor - this role stays close to the aircraft.
• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree a plus.
• UAS pilot certification or equivalent flight experience is a strong plus.