Head of Flight Test Engineering

Socket.dev; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 276,000 - 293,000; Full time

Job summary

Wing is seeking a Head of Flight Test Engineering to lead our Flight Test and Evaluation team in a hybrid role based in Palo Alto, CA. You will guide test strategy, mentor engineers, and ensure flight test programs meet regulatory and safety standards.

You will translate flight test observations into actionable roadmaps for product, regulatory, and engineering teams, and drive end-to-end test planning, data analysis, and high-integrity execution.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in flight test engineering with autonomous systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow the Flight Test Engineering team; foster high performance.

Skills

Flight test leadership

S/UAS flight testing

Autonomous aircraft systems

HIL/SIL simulation

Regulatory compliance knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

FAA regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

HIL simulation tools

SIL simulation tools

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 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.

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 - $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.