Flight Test Intern: Hands-On Aerial Systems

Grid Aero; San Leandro (CA); On-site; USD 27,552 - 41,328; Part time

Job summary

Grid.aero is seeking a Flight Test Intern in San Leandro, CA, with required travels to Merced for full-scale testing. You will work with the flight test team to develop and operate tools, test assets, and procedures that enable rapid, safe aircraft development.

The role involves hands-on design, build, and maintenance of subscale test assets, data collection and analysis, and collaboration with avionics, mechanical, and manufacturing engineers to translate findings into design improvements. U.S.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Robotics, Computer Engineering or related field.
• Hands-on hardware building/troubleshooting experience.
• Experience using CAD software for mechanical design or layout.
• Basic working knowledge of aircraft flight mechanics, avionics, controls, or test processes.
• Willingness to travel to Merced and work onsite in San Leandro.
• U.S. Person status due to export control regulations.

Responsibilities

• Support the planning and execution of safe, disciplined ground and flight test operations.
• Design, build, integrate, and maintain flight-test tools and infrastructure, including subscale aircraft, autonomy test beds, instrumentation, and data-collection systems.
• Own defined work packages for the design, development, build, and testing of subscale aircraft used to support Proto 1 and autonomy development.
• Develop test plans, procedures, and test cards for subscale aircraft and supporting test systems.
• Configure, operate, and troubleshoot test hardware and software in both shop and field environments.
• Collect, process, and analyze flight-test data to evaluate vehicle performance, identify issues, and communicate clear conclusions.
• Collaborate with flight test, autonomy, avionics, mechanical, and manufacturing engineers to turn test findings into design improvements.
• Document test configurations, results, and lessons learned so work can be repeated and decisions remain traceable.

Skills

Hands-on builder experience

Strong written/verbal communication

Safety-conscious

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical/Robotics/Computer Engineering

Tools

CAD software

Python

MATLAB

ArduPilot/PX4 knowledge

CATIA V5/3DEXPERIENCE

Job description

Grid.aero is seeking a Flight Test Intern in San Leandro, CA, with required travels to Merced for full-scale testing. You will work with the flight test team to develop and operate tools, test assets, and procedures that enable rapid, safe aircraft development.

The role involves hands-on design, build, and maintenance of subscale test assets, data collection and analysis, and collaboration with avionics, mechanical, and manufacturing engineers to translate findings into design improvements. U.S.