Flight Test Engineer

Anduril; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 141,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Generous time off

Professional development reimbursement

Job summary

Slope is seeking a UAS Flight Test Engineer in Costa Mesa, California. The successful candidate will conduct testing and evaluation of Group 3 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) ensuring performance and reliability. They will be responsible for travel to test sites, developing test plans, and communicating with the team. A Bachelor’s degree in engineering, along with 2-5+ years of experience, is required. The role offers a salary range of $100,000 to $141,000, plus top-tier benefits including health insurance and retirement plans.

Qualifications

• 2-5+ years of experience in UAS integration, testing, and project management.
• Ability and willingness to travel >75% to remote locations.
• Strong grasp of engineering principles and technical concepts.

Responsibilities

• Conduct rigorous testing of Group 3 UAS for performance.
• Deploy to remote test sites within the US and overseas.
• Develop and execute focused test plans for trials.

Skills

UAS integration

Project management

Testing and evaluation

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field

Tools

FAA Part 107 certification

Job description

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting‑edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

The Maneuver Dominance team at Anduril develops operationally relevant, multi‑asset autonomy. We are focused on building the next generation of autonomous capabilities by leveraging existing Anduril platforms like Ghost or Altius, bringing 3rd party platforms into Anduril's Lattice ecosystem, and developing breakthrough systems that will shape the future of the battlefield. If you are interested in working in an extremely innovative and fast paced environment, where your work directly makes an impact and difference in the products that are fielded this a fantastic opportunity.

As a UAS Flight Test Engineer you will plan, execute and report on developmental and operational flight Test & Evaluation (T&E) activities. You will work alongside a team of engineers and test specialists assisting in the wider management and coordination of test and evaluation within the US, UK and Europe under both civil and military approval schemes.

What You’ll Do

• Conduct rigorous testing and evaluation of Group 3 UAS to ensure performance and reliability.
• Deploy to remote test sites within the US, with opportunity to support trials in overseas locations.
• Participate in weekly stand‑ups and provide progress reports to program and T&E leadership.
• Develop and execute focused test plans for internal and customer trials.
• Develop and implement baseline safety plans to mitigate risks during testing.
• Communicate effectively within the team and across the organization.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical field.
• 2-5+ years of experience in UAS integration, testing, and project management.
• Ability and willingness to travel >75% time to remote locations in the US and overseas.
• Understanding of the National Airspace System and UAS regulations.
• Practical experience with large UAS testing and development.
• Strong grasp of engineering principles and technical concepts.
• Ability to organize, coordinate work effectively, and document thoroughly.
• Familiarity with rotary‑wing and fixed‑wing aerodynamics and flight control systems.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Self‑motivated and able to work independently and in teams.
• Flexibility to work extended hours as needed.
• FAA Part 107 certificate holder.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in engineering, robotics, computer science, or a related field.
• Hands‑on experience with complex and autonomous UAS.

US Salary Range: $100,000 – $141,000 USD

Additionally, Anduril offers top‑tier benefits for full‑time employees, including:

Healthcare Benefits

• US Roles: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans at little to no cost to you.
• UK & AUS Roles: We cover full cost of medical insurance premiums for you and your dependents.
• IE Roles: We offer an annual contribution toward your private health insurance for you and your dependents.

Additional Benefits

• Income Protection: Anduril covers life and disability insurance for all employees.
• Generous time off: Highly competitive PTO plans with a holiday hiatus in December. Caregiver & Wellness Leave is available to care for family members, bond with a new baby, or address your own medical needs.
• Family Planning & Parenting Support: Coverage for fertility treatments (e.g., IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carriers, along with resources to support you and your partner from planning to parenting.
• Mental Health Resources: Access free mental health resources 24/7, including therapy and life coaching. Additional work‑life services, such as legal and financial support, are also available.
• Professional Development: Annual reimbursement for professional development.
• Commuter Benefits: Company‑funded commuter benefits based on your region.
• Relocation Assistance: Available depending on role eligibility.

Retirement Savings Plan

• US Roles: Traditional 401(k), Roth, and after‑tax (mega backdoor Roth) options.
• UK & IE Roles: Pension plan with employer match.
• AUS Roles: Superannuation plan.

The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.