Head of Flight Test Engineering

Wing; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 276,000 - 293,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Wing, based in Palo Alto, CA, is seeking a Head of Flight Test Engineering to lead our Flight Test and Evaluation team. This hybrid role requires deep technical knowledge of autonomous systems to guide test strategy and mentor a skilled team of flight test engineers.

You will bridge engineering, operations, regulatory, and product development, translating test observations into actionable roadmaps that enable regulatory approvals and drive business outcomes.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in flight test engineering or similar.
• 3+ years hands-on flight testing of sUAS, eVTOL, or autonomous aircraft.
• Bachelor's degree in a related engineering field or equivalent experience.
• Proven leadership of flight test and evaluation teams.
• Deep knowledge of autonomous aircraft systems in real-world operations.
• Experience pairing hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop with flight testing.
• Ability to translate flight data into actionable insights for product and regulatory roadmaps.
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certificate (current).
• Familiarity with FAA processes or SORA frameworks (preferred).
• Completion of a recognized Test Pilot School program (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Flight Test Engineering team to foster a high-performing culture.
• Develop flight test evaluation strategies for the Wing Delivery System from end-to-end validation to component development.
• Architect lean, high-velocity test campaigns to maximize data quality and shorten feedback loops.
• Advance testing capabilities with telemetry tools, automation, and simulation.
• Oversee end-to-end flight test execution including risk assessments and readiness reviews.
• Translate flight test observations into actionable guidance for product, regulatory, and engineering roadmaps.
• Ensure high-integrity testing and data analysis for FAA and global regulatory submissions.

Skills

Flight test management

Autonomous systems

Systems engineering

Test data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

FAA Part 107 remote pilot

Communication with executives

Education

Bachelor's in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical/Systems engineering

Test Pilot School long course (preferred)

Tools

HIL/SIL simulation

Job description

About Wing:
Wing offers drone delivery as a safe, fast, and sustainable solution for last mile logistics. Consumer appetites for on-demand services are increasing, but current delivery methods are inefficient, costly, and contribute to road accidents and air pollution. Wing's fleet of highly automated delivery drones can transport small packages directly from businesses to homes on-demand, in minutes. We design, build, and operate our aircraft, and offer drone delivery services on two continents. Our technology is designed to be easy to integrate into existing delivery and logistics networks, offering a scalable drone delivery solution for a broad range of businesses. Wing is a part of Google's parent company, Alphabet, and our mission is to create the preferred means of delivery for the planet. If you're ready to do the greatest work of your life, come join us.

About Wing:
Wing offers drone delivery as a safe, fast, and sustainable solution for last mile logistics. Consumer appetites for on-demand services are increasing, but current delivery methods are inefficient, costly, and contribute to road accidents and air pollution. Wing's fleet of highly automated delivery drones can transport small packages directly from businesses to homes on-demand, in minutes. We design, build, and operate our aircraft, and offer drone delivery services on two continents. Our technology is designed to be easy to integrate into existing delivery and logistics networks, offering a scalable drone delivery solution for a broad range of businesses. Wing is a part of Google's parent company, Alphabet, and our mission is to create the preferred means of delivery for the planet. If you're ready to do the greatest work of your life, come join us.

About the Role

Wing is looking for a Head of Flight Test Engineering to lead our Flight Test and Evaluation team. This role is hybrid based in Palo Alto, CA. In this role, you will bring deep technical domain expertise across autonomous systems to guide test strategy, mentor a talented team of flight test engineers, and ensure our flight test programs operate at peak efficiency and rigor.

You will manage a team of Flight Test Engineers, balancing people leadership with technical expertise. You will lead high-integrity planning, execution, and analysis that directly underpins regulatory approvals and compliance. Crucially, you will be a bridge between engineering, operations, regulatory, and product development - translating flight test observations into clear business impacts to empower and shape Wing's overall development roadmaps.

What You'll Do

• Manage, mentor, and grow the Flight Test Engineering team, fostering a high-performing technical culture, clear career pathways, and strong cross-functional alignment.
• Be responsible for the development of flight test evaluation strategies and plans for all aspects of the Wing Delivery System, from end-to-end system validation to novel component level technology development and operational concepts.
• Apply broad systems-engineering expertise and cross-functional collaboration to architect lean, high-velocity test campaigns that maximize data quality and shorten development feedback loops.
• Advance our testing capabilities by integrating telemetry tools, test automation, novel flight test techniques and simulation to continuously expand test capabilities.
• Drive end-to-end flight test execution - including risk assessments, Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), Test Director duties, and advanced flight data evaluation.
• Connect flight test observations directly to commercial outcomes, apply critical thinking by translating observations into actionable guidance for product, regulatory, and engineering roadmaps.
• Drive high-integrity test planning, rigorous execution, and standardized data analysis to generate the traceability and objective evidence required for FAA and global aviation safety regulatory submissions.

What You'll Need

• 15+ years in flight test engineering, with extensive experience in complex or autonomous system development.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience flight testing Small Uncrewed Aerial Systems (sUAS), eVTOL, or autonomous aircraft.
• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline from an accredited university, or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated track record of technical leadership or direct people management of flight test and evaluation teams.
• Deep, end-to-end domain knowledge across autonomous aircraft systems and their integration into a real-world operational environment.
• Practical experience pairing Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) and Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) simulation with flight testing to accelerate feature validation and maximize test program efficiency.
• Proven ability to evaluate test programs for efficiency, converting raw data and observations into actionable engineering insights, and communicate the commercial and operational implications of technical test results.
• Exceptional ability to translate complex flight data into actionable feedback for cross-functional engineering partners, product leaders, regulatory bodies, and executive leadership.
• Current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certificate
• Familiarity with FAA processes, standards compliance, or SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment) frameworks preferred.
• Successful completion of an internationally recognized Test Pilot School long course, Flight Test Engineer or Test Pilot track, preferred.

The US base salary range for this full-time position is the salary range below + bonus + equity + benefits. Wing's salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.
Salary Range: $276,000 USD - $293,000 USD
Wing is an equal opportunity employer and it is Wing's policy to comply with all applicable national, state and local laws pertaining to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity. Employment at Wing is based solely on a person's merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. Wing does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), or any other basis protected by law.
If you have a need that requires accommodation during the interview process due to a disability or special need, please let us know by completing our Candidate Accommodations Request Form.