Flight Test Operator

Anduril Industries; San Clemente (CA); On-site; USD 51,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

Health benefits

Benefits package

Job summary

Anduril Industries in California is seeking a Flight Test Operator to support the test and evaluation of Ghost autonomous aircraft. This role focuses on planning, coordinating, and executing flight tests, collaborating with test engineers, and ensuring safety and reliability across test ranges.

The ideal candidate will bring aircraft piloting experience, FAA certifications, knowledge of airspace rules, and a willingness to travel.

Qualifications

• RC, RPIC, or Pilot-operator experience on fixed wing commercial and/or defense Group 1-3 aircraft.
• Ability to get and maintain a FAA part 107 certificate, and FAA Part 61 ground school completion (as required)
• Ability to travel on an as needed basis.
• Familiarity with flight controllers and autopilot logic.
• Significant knowledge and understanding of National Airspace regulations and operating restrictions
• Must have strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to own a variety of tasks in an autonomous environment
• Able to work extended hours as required
• Strong customer service and organizational collaboration mentality
• Small UAS maintenance experience.
• Willingness to travel approximately 25% of the time.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Assist with test, system checkouts, fly, and provide feedback on Ghost Systems.
• Build, program, and maintain autonomous aircraft for flight.
• Work with Test Engineers on a variety of operational tasks that enable engineering, such as flight execution, material prep, or supporting test profiles by participating in our demonstrations.
• Assist with product installations at our test sites as needed
• Assist Site Manager and onsite team with maintenance, including managing office supplies, cleaning, inventory management and equipment maintenance
• Travel between test sites depending on testing requirements and team needs

Skills

Pilot experience

FAA Part 107 cert

Autonomous flight systems

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace, electrical, software, or mechanical engineering

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.

This position will be filled with a highly motivated Flight Test Operator with a passion for flying small uncrewed rotary aircraft in support of flight test operations. You will work heavily with test team members in a wide spectrum of cross-department Ghost programs to assist the teams focused on solving hard problems and changing the industry forever. The role will be responsible for assisting program leads, planning, coordination, execution of flight test operations. The Test and Evaluation team at Anduril works across the entire spectrum of products and business lines, as well as all flight operations and test range management. Our team conducts full system level development testing, new production acceptance testing, sub-component qualification testing and much more. In short, if it involves test, we support it. 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.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Assist with test, system checkouts, fly, and provide feedback on Ghost Systems.
• Build, program, and maintain autonomous aircraft for flight.
• Work with Test Engineers on a variety of operational tasks that enable engineering, such as flight execution, material prep, or supporting test profiles by participating in our demonstrations.
• Assist with product installations at our test sites as needed
• Assist Site Manager and onsite team with maintenance, including managing office supplies, cleaning, inventory management and equipment maintenance
• Travel between test sites depending on testing requirements and team needs

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• RC, RPIC, or Pilot-operator (PIC) experience on fixed wing commercial and/or defense Group 1 -3 aircraft.
• Ability to get and maintain a FAA part 107 certificate, and FAA Part 61 ground school completion (as required)
• Ability to travel on an as needed basis.
• Familiarity with flight controllers and autopilot logic.
• Significant knowledge and understanding of National Airspace regulations and operating restrictions
• Must have strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to own a variety of tasks in an autonomous environment
• Able to work extended hours as required
• Strong customer service and organizational collaboration mentality
• Small UAS maintenance experience.
• Willingness to travel approximately 25% of the time.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• LiPO/LiON battery handling experience
• Bachelors degree in aerospace, electrical, software, or mechanical engineering.
• Experience with developmental and operational test.

US Salary Range $37 — $49 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:

Benefits

At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you’re supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, Explore Our Benefits.