Early Career Flight Test Engineer, Altius Anduril Costa Mesa, California, United States

Neura Market; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 86,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Anduril Industries in Costa Mesa, CA, seeks a Flight Test Engineer to plan, execute, report, and evaluate tests of software and hardware systems. You will manage test events, assets, and cross‑functional collaboration to ensure safe, reliable flight operations.

Requirements include a technical bachelor’s degree, strong communication, the ability to work independently or with a team, and willingness to travel and learn. FAA Part 107/61 eligibility or pursuit is preferred.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution.
• Ability to understand new concepts quickly, apply them accurately, organize, schedule, and coordinate work phases, and determine the appropriate approach at the task level or with assistance at the project level to provide solutions to complex problems.
• Strong communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills. Able to strengthen communication channels both within the team and externally (engineering, program leadership, operations).
• Methodical, thorough, and detail‑oriented.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team; able to perform complex tasks in one or more engineering areas.
• Willingness to learn new skills and concepts.
• Current or able to acquire an FAA 14 CFR Part 107: Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems certification.
• Current or able to acquire an FAA 14 CFR Part 61: Certification for Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors (ground test complete is the only requirement).
• Previous experience or working knowledge of National Airspace and UAS operating guidelines and regulations.
• Ability to obtain a security clearance.
• Able to work extended hours as required.
• Ability to travel as required for planning and testing.

Responsibilities

• Test planning, execution, reporting, and evaluating the system under test (software and/or hardware).
• Support and plan test events conducted at test sites as required by the specific test.
• Manage configuration of test owned assets, including hardware components, payloads, firmware configuration and fleet maintenance scheduling.
• Generate evaluation test plans and reports focusing on system functionality and suitability of software and hardware integration.
• Generate and execute test cards, conduct pre‑ and post‑flight briefings, and manage test events with diverse support teams.
• Collaborate with SMEs and cross‑functional teams to report findings, characterize issues, and document results.
• Interface daily with hardware and software engineering teams.
• Collect flight metrics such as sortie information and delays.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Independence

Teamwork

Learning mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Linux

Networking

SSH

Command line

Job description

Responsibilities

• As a flight test engineer, under minimal supervision, you will be responsible for test planning, execution, reporting, and evaluating the system under test (software and/or hardware).
• Support and plan test events conducted at test sites as required by the specific test.
• Manage configuration of test owned assets, including hardware components, payloads, firmware configuration and fleet maintenance scheduling.
• Generate evaluation test plans and reports focusing on system functionality and suitability of software and hardware integration. Include safety planning and logistical coordination.
• Generate and execute test cards, conduct pre‑ and post‑flight briefings, and manage test events with diverse support teams.
• Collaborate with SMEs and cross‑functional teams to report findings, characterize issues, and document results.
• Interface daily with hardware and software engineering teams.
• Collect flight metrics such as sortie information and delays.

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution.
• Ability to understand new concepts quickly, apply them accurately, organize, schedule, and coordinate work phases, and determine the appropriate approach at the task level or with assistance at the project level to provide solutions to complex problems.
• Strong communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills. Able to strengthen communication channels both within the team and externally (engineering, program leadership, operations).
• Methodical, thorough, and detail‑oriented.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team; able to perform complex tasks in one or more engineering areas.
• Willingness to learn new skills and concepts.
• Current or able to acquire an FAA 14 CFR Part 107: Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems certification.
• Current or able to acquire an FAA 14 CFR Part 61: Certification for Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors (ground test complete is the only requirement).
• Previous experience or working knowledge of National Airspace and UAS operating guidelines and regulations.
• Ability to obtain a security clearance.
• Able to work extended hours as required.
• Ability to travel as required for planning and testing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong software and documentation experience; familiarity with Linux based operating systems, networking, ssh, and command line.
• 1–3 years flight test engineering or system level testing experience.
• Knowledge and experience with Group 2/3 fixed‑wing systems.
• Experience working DOD programs.

Salary Range

Salary range: $86,000 – $114,000 USD. Actual salary offer may vary based on experience, education, and training.

Benefits

At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package ensures you’re supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next.