Chief Flight Test Engineer - Autonomous Aircraft

Wing; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 276,000 - 293,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Wing, based in Palo Alto, CA, is seeking a Head of Flight Test Engineering to lead our Flight Test and Evaluation team. This hybrid role requires deep technical knowledge of autonomous systems to guide test strategy and mentor a skilled team of flight test engineers.

You will bridge engineering, operations, regulatory, and product development, translating test observations into actionable roadmaps that enable regulatory approvals and drive business outcomes.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in flight test engineering or similar.
• 3+ years hands-on flight testing of sUAS, eVTOL, or autonomous aircraft.
• Bachelor's degree in a related engineering field or equivalent experience.
• Proven leadership of flight test and evaluation teams.
• Deep knowledge of autonomous aircraft systems in real-world operations.
• Experience pairing hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop with flight testing.
• Ability to translate flight data into actionable insights for product and regulatory roadmaps.
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certificate (current).
• Familiarity with FAA processes or SORA frameworks (preferred).
• Completion of a recognized Test Pilot School program (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Flight Test Engineering team to foster a high-performing culture.
• Develop flight test evaluation strategies for the Wing Delivery System from end-to-end validation to component development.
• Architect lean, high-velocity test campaigns to maximize data quality and shorten feedback loops.
• Advance testing capabilities with telemetry tools, automation, and simulation.
• Oversee end-to-end flight test execution including risk assessments and readiness reviews.
• Translate flight test observations into actionable guidance for product, regulatory, and engineering roadmaps.
• Ensure high-integrity testing and data analysis for FAA and global regulatory submissions.

Skills

Flight test management

Autonomous systems

Systems engineering

Test data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

FAA Part 107 remote pilot

Communication with executives

Education

Bachelor's in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical/Systems engineering

Test Pilot School long course (preferred)

Tools

HIL/SIL simulation

Job description

Wing, based in Palo Alto, CA, is seeking a Head of Flight Test Engineering to lead our Flight Test and Evaluation team. This hybrid role requires deep technical knowledge of autonomous systems to guide test strategy and mentor a skilled team of flight test engineers.

You will bridge engineering, operations, regulatory, and product development, translating test observations into actionable roadmaps that enable regulatory approvals and drive business outcomes.