Flight Test Operator

Socket.dev; Vacaville (CA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health, dental and vision insurance

FSA with employer matching

401(k)

Paid time off

Company holidays

Parental leave

Free catered lunch

Snacks at Alameda office

Job summary

Pyka is seeking a Flight Test Operator to test and scale the operations of its autonomous aircraft. You will test new hardware and software features to ensure the success of Pyka’s customer operations globally, focusing on continuous operation at local California test sites and potential international deployments.

This multidisciplinary role requires strong communication with engineering and operations teams, with work spanning aircraft and ground infrastructure.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of experience flying fixed wing UAVs / model aircraft or large multirotors.
• Experience with ground control and mission planning software.
• 1–5 years of experience working with and troubleshooting mechanical and electrical systems.
• Basic high voltage safety knowledge.
• Knowledge of aircraft systems, maintenance, and manuals.
• Independent and motivated, able to self-direct and manage time.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Located in Solano or Contra Costa County.
• Part 61 pilot certificate.

Responsibilities

• Execute continuous operations at Pyka’s test sites by identifying and troubleshooting issues, with the remote help of Pyka’s engineering teams.
• Conduct reliability test campaigns with Pyka’s autonomous aircraft and ground support infrastructure.
• Provide detailed technical feedback to operations and engineering teams to improve Pyka’s product for customer deployment.
• Fly and test new hardware and software features.
• Conduct diverse fleet site maintenance activities, involving the aircraft itself and ground infrastructure.
• Serve as Pilot In Command or Ground Control Operator of experimental / developmental unmanned aircraft.
• Option to deploy customer test sites to support Agricultural and Cargo Operations.

Skills

UAV piloting

Ground control software

Systems troubleshooting

High voltage safety

Aircraft knowledge

Self-motivation

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Solano/Contra Costa familiarity

Part 61 certificate

Job description

About Pyka

Pyka’s goal is to provide society with a new form of safe, clean, and cost-effective transportation enabled by autonomous electric aviation.

To get there, we’re taking a different approach than most. We're applying our technologies to every industry where autonomous electric aircraft can be useful, starting with the highest value and most dangerous jobs. In doing so, we're building game-changing products manufactured at scale, while perfecting the safety, reliability, and capabilities of our autonomy engine and electric propulsion systems.

We design, develop and manufacture an ecosystem of technologies including proprietary flight control software, avionics, high power density motors, motor controllers, batteries, and custom carbon-fiber composite airframes.

Today, we supply autonomous electric aircraft for cargo transport and crop protection to real-world customers across four separate continents and have secured industry-first regulatory approvals from the FAA. Our cargo aircraft enables remote connectivity, enhances express delivery networks, and ensures fast and reliable shipping of critical supplies to areas in need. Our crop protection aircraft offers agricultural services providers and farmers an autonomous tool to make aerial application safer, more precise, and less harmful to surrounding environments. Both vehicles are highly economical to operate, easy to deploy, and significantly reduce CO2 emissions in their respective industries.

What you work on at Pyka makes people’s lives better now and brings the future of electric aviation one step closer each day.

Role Overview

Pyka is looking for a Flight Test Operator to test and scale the operations of its advanced autonomous aircraft. You will test our new hardware and software features to ensure the success of Pyka’s customer operations around the globe. Your work will focus on testing the continuous operation of Pyka’s aircraft and ground infrastructure.

This is a multidisciplinary role that interacts with many internal teams, so written and verbal communication skills are critical. Your work will be instrumental in Pyka’s growth as we build the best safe product for our customers. You will focus on operating at Pyka’s local California test sites, and may deploy to our international customers to support as needed.

Responsibilities

• Execute continuous operations at Pyka’s test sites by identifying and troubleshooting issues, with the remote help of Pyka’s engineering teams
• Conduct reliability test campaigns with Pyka’s autonomous aircraft and ground support infrastructure
• Provide detailed technical feedback to operations and engineering teams to improve Pyka’s product for customer deployment
• Fly and test new hardware and software features
• Conduct diverse fleet site maintenance activities, involving the aircraft itself and ground infrastructure
• Serve as Pilot In Command or Ground Control Operator of experimental / developmental unmanned aircraft
• Option to deploy customer test sites to support Agricultural and Cargo Operations

Required Qualifications

• 1-3 years of experience flying fixed wing UAVs / model aircraft or large multirotors
• Experience with ground control and mission planning software
• 1–5 years of experience working with and troubleshooting mechanical and electrical systems
• Basic high voltage safety knowledge and comfortable working on 120 VDC, 20 ~ 30 kW systems
• Knowledge of aircraft systems, maintenance, and manuals
• Independent and motivated, able to self-direct and manage time
• Extreme thoroughness and attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Located in Solano or Contra Costa County
• Part 61 pilot certificate
• We understand that candidates bring different strengths and experiences, and you don’t need to meet every qualification to be considered. If this role excites you, we’d love to learn more about you. You may be a great fit even if your background doesn’t align perfectly with the list.

Compensation & Benefits

• Flight Test Operator: $34.50–$39.00, Flight Test Operator II: $40.00–$45.00 + Equity. Compensation will vary depending on location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Hourly wage ranges are subject to change.
• Employer-sponsored health, dental and vision insurance, FSA with employer matching, and 401(k)
• Paid time off, company holidays, and parental leave
• Free catered lunch and plenty of snacks at the Alameda office
• Opportunity to work on and fly large autonomous aircraft

Export Control Requirements

This position requires access to technology, software and other information that is subject to governmental access control restrictions, due to export controls. Employment in this position is conditioned on the continued availability of government authorization to authorize release of such items, to the extent required, including without limitation an export license, or other documentation required to establish authorization to receive access to such items.

Company may delay commencement of employment, rescind an offer of employment, terminate employment, and/or may modify job responsibilities, compensation, benefits, and/or access to Company facilities and information systems, as Company deems appropriate, in order to ensure compliance with applicable government access control restrictions.

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