Head of UAS Flight Test & Validation

Fruition Group US; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Fruition Group partners with a fast-growing drone technology company to hire a Chief Flight Test Engineer responsible for owning the flight test program for unmanned aircraft systems through envelope expansion to certification-level campaigns.

You will plan test cards, fly or direct missions, analyze telemetry, and stay hands-on while aircraft are in the air. This is a leadership role with direct airworthiness and regulatory involvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field; advanced degree a plus.
• 10+ years of flight test experience with leadership of a program or team.
• Hands-on flight test experience with unmanned aircraft (fixed-wing, rotary, or VTOL).
• Knowledge of instrumentation, data acquisition, and telemetry analysis.
• Airworthiness, flight safety, and regulatory processes relevant to UAS operations.

Responsibilities

• Own flight test strategy and test plans from envelope expansion to certification-like campaigns.
• Design test cards and run campaigns safely and efficiently.
• Work hands-on with aircraft, instrumentation, and ground control systems.
• Analyze flight data to validate performance and drive root-cause investigations.
• Lead a flight test team including pilots, engineers, and instrumentation specialists.

Skills

Flight test leadership

UAS flight testing

Data analysis & telemetry

Test planning & go/no-go

Airworthiness & regulatory

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Advanced degree (plus)

Tools

Telemetry systems

Flight test instrumentation

Ground control systems

Job description

Fruition Group partners with a fast-growing drone technology company to hire a Chief Flight Test Engineer responsible for owning the flight test program for unmanned aircraft systems through envelope expansion to certification-level campaigns.

You will plan test cards, fly or direct missions, analyze telemetry, and stay hands-on while aircraft are in the air. This is a leadership role with direct airworthiness and regulatory involvement.