Flight Test Engineer

Applied Intuition; Sunnyvale (CA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Intuition, Inc. is a Silicon Valley company powering the future of physical AI from Sunnyvale, CA. The Flight Test Engineer will lead flight test operations, coordinate with software, hardware, and customers, and drive coverage from planning through reporting.

The role emphasizes test objectives, hazard analyses, and maintaining rigorous safety and technical standards for aerial autonomy campaigns, with in-office expectations and some remote flexibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• 3+ years of flight test experience.
• Clarified, created, and refined test objectives, and led test plan working groups, reviews, and safety reviews.
• Authored clear and concise test plans, hazard analyses, communication plans, checklists, and test cards.
• Secured personnel, equipment, and range time for test operations.

Responsibilities

• Gather and clarify test requirements from stakeholders and program managers.
• Create test planning and test management products (test plans, hazard analyses, test cards, checklists).
• Provision personnel, equipment, facilities, procedures, schedules, and ranges for flight test operations.
• Execute tests as test director or test conductor, and sometimes as system operator.
• Analyze test results to inform post‑operation decisions and support engineering analysis of test data.
• Report operation and campaign progress to stakeholders with recommendations for next actions.
• Coordinate with customers from planning through reporting so each test meets objectives.
• Identify flight test staffing needs and work with engineering managers to fill them.
• Provide aviation subject matter expertise to software developers and hardware integrators.

Skills

Flight test experience

Test conductor

Test data analysis

Test reports

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field

Tools

Hazard analyses

Test cards

Checklists

Job description

Applied Intuition, Inc. is powering the future of physical AI. Founded in 2017 and now valued at $15 billion, the Silicon Valley company is creating the digital infrastructure needed to bring intelligence to every moving machine on the planet. Applied Intuition services the automotive, defense, trucking, construction, mining and agriculture industries in three core areas: tools and infrastructure, operating systems, and autonomy. Eighteen of the top 20 global automakers, as well as the United States military and its allies, trust the company’s solutions to deliver physical intelligence. Applied Intuition is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with offices in Washington, D.C.; San Diego; Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; Ann Arbor, Michigan; London; Stuttgart; Munich; Stockholm; Bangalore; Seoul; and Tokyo. Learn more at applied.co.

We are an in-office company, and our expectation is that full‑time employees primarily work from their Applied Intuition office 5 days a week. However, we also recognize the importance of flexibility and trust our employees to manage their schedules responsibly. This may include occasional remote work, starting the day with morning meetings from home before heading to the office, or leaving earlier when needed to accommodate family commitments. This in‑office expectation does not apply to contractor positions

About The Role

As a Flight Test Engineer at Applied Intuition, you will report directly to the Head of Acuity Aerial Autonomy. You will lead planning, provisioning, execution, analysis, and reporting of flight test operations and campaigns, safely and with technical rigor. You will work closely with software developers, hardware integrators, hardware vendors, and customers to continuously develop, improve, and field aerial autonomy capabilities. You will proactively improve and adapt flight test processes within the company. You will also embed in product, project, and demo teams to understand their needs and support their flight test activities.

At Applied Intuition, You Will

• Gather and clarify test requirements from stakeholders and program managers
• Create test planning and test management products, such as test plans, hazard analyses, test cards, and checklists
• Provision personnel, equipment, facilities, procedures, schedules, and open‑air ranges for flight test operations
• Execute tests as test director or test conductor, and sometimes as system operator
• Analyze test results to inform post‑operation decisions, and support engineering analysis of test data
• Report operation and campaign progress to stakeholders, with recommendations for next actions
• Coordinate with customers from planning through reporting so each test meets its objectives
• Identify flight test staffing needs, and work with engineering managers to fill them
• Provide aviation subject matter expertise to software developers and hardware integrators
• Build productive relationships with DoD warfighter domain experts and third‑party UAS vendors
• Develop partnerships with test ranges to secure persistent access for flight test campaigns

We’re Looking For Someone Who Has

• 3+ years of professional experience with flight test responsibilities
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related field (e.g., Mechanical Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, Physics)
• Clarified, created, and refined test objectives, and led test plan working groups, test reviews, and safety reviews
• Authored clear and concise test plans, hazard analyses, communication plans, checklists, and test cards
• Secured personnel, equipment, and range time for test operations
• Served as test conductor or test director on test missions, briefed objectives, and decided in real time whether to continue or terminate testing
• Analyzed test data for system evaluation and troubleshooting
• Authored clear and concise test reports and quick‑look reports, and kept stakeholders informed of progress
• Supported acquisition, test, and evaluation of aviation systems
• Bridged the gap between technical experts and vehicle operators

Travel Requirements

• Must be willing to travel up to 50% of the time to test ranges and customer sites, often for multi‑week campaigns

Security Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must have an active U.S. security clearance

Compensation at Applied Intuition for eligible roles includes base salary, equity, and benefits. Base salary is a single component of the total compensation package, which may also include equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.

Applied Intuition pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum intended target base salary for new hire salaries for the position. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position.

Please reference the job posting subtitle for where this position will be located.

Applied Intuition is an equal opportunity employer and federal contractor or subcontractor. Consequently, the parties agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and that these laws are incorporated herein by reference. These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. These regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability. The parties also agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of Executive Order 13496 (29 CFR Part 471, Appendix A to Subpart A), relating to the notice of employee rights under federal labor laws.

FOR US-BASED ROLES:

Applied Intuition is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive application and interview experience to applicants who are disabled veterans and other applicants with disabilities or medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations are available, requesting an accommodation will not affect your candidacy in any way, and you are not required to disclose the nature of your disability or medical condition in order to make a request. If you require an accommodation please contact [e-mail]. We will work with you!

Compensation Range: $150K - $200K