Seaglider Test Operator

REGENT; North Kingstown (RI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity incentive plan

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k)

Flexible time off

Relocation packages

Catered lunches

Professional development

Job summary

REGENT in Rhode Island is seeking a Seaglider Test Operator to join a startup-scale program developing a new coastal transport. You will join the test operations team, execute on-water sea and air trials, write procedures, and help shape the playbook for safe, efficient testing.

You’ll work with engineers, business development, and marketing to plan demonstrations, create test cards, and assess risks, while relocating to Rhode Island and traveling as needed.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience as a test pilot or in developmental flight testing of novel, experimental, or commercial aircraft.
• Strong foundation in engineering, computer science, math, flight sciences, naval architecture, or a related technical discipline.
• Demonstrated knowledge of novel or prototype vehicle operations, including risk/hazard identification and mitigation.
• Experience with aircraft or boat handling, development or operational test, and demonstration planning.
• Startup mindset: willing to build processes from scratch, move fast, and wear multiple hats.
• Must be willing to relocate to Rhode Island and travel to support demonstrations.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safe execution of on-water sea trials and demonstrations of prototype and production Seagliders across all operators
• Operate the vehicle for Seaglider envelope expansion and first flight events
• Plan and execute engineering sea trials and domestic and international customer and investor demonstrations.
• Lead the development of test cards, risk assessments, and weekly/month test schedules; coordinate with external stakeholders.
• Build and refine crew procedures, checklists, and crew training courses and materials from the ground up.
• Provide feedback on cockpit user interfaces and ergonomics to improve Seaglider operation.

Skills

Test pilot experience

Prototype vehicle operations

Risk assessment knowledge

Operations planning experience

Startup mindset

Relocation/travel flexibility

Education

Engineering/CS/Math/Naval Architecture

Job description

At REGENT, we’re on a mission to revolutionize regional transportation between coastal cities. We're not just building vehicles, we're creating a new category of transportation: the Seaglider. These groundbreaking wing-in-ground-effect craft travel just above the water’s surface, combining the speed of an airplane with the low operating costs of a boat. Capable of 180 miles at 180 mph on today's battery tech (and up to 400 miles with next-gen batteries), Seagliders will unlock fast, affordable, and sustainable coastal transit for passengers and cargo - connecting cities, islands, and communities like never before.

Backed by leading investors and powered by a team of passionate, forward-thinking engineers, builders, and operators, we’re now scaling from a breakthrough prototype to full production - and building the team to make it happen.

Role Overview

As a Seaglider Test Operator, you will serve as a test crew member to safely execute on-water sea and air trials and demonstrations of prototype and production Seagliders. You'll assist in engineering sea and air trials and vehicle demonstrations, including initial envelope expansion and vehicle flights domestic and international customer and investor - collaborating with fellow operators within the test operations team, ensuring adequate training of all operators, developing foundational operational documents and test cards, executing test plans, performing risk assessments, and coordinating with external stakeholders.

This is a commercial developmental test program moving at startup speed. You'll help write the playbook with our team: building procedures, checklists, and training materials from scratch while executing tests safely and efficiently. Pace expectations are closer to an aerospace startup than a government program - and we're looking for someone energized by that.

You'll work closely with engineers to define test objectives and feedback results, with business development and marketing teams to plan demonstrations, and with the broader test team on day-to-day operations.

If you've ever wanted to be one of the first people to fly a genuinely new category of vehicle - and help define how it's tested and operated - this is that role.

What You'll Do

• Ensure safe execution of on-water sea trials and demonstrations of prototype and production Seagliders across all operators
• Operate the vehicle for Seaglider envelope expansion and first flight events
• Plan and execute engineering sea trials and domestic and international customer and investor demonstrations.
• Lead the development of test cards, risk assessments, and weekly/month test schedules; coordinate with external stakeholders.
• Build and refine crew procedures, checklists, and crew training courses and materials from the ground up.
• Provide feedback on cockpit user interfaces and ergonomics to improve Seaglider operation.

What You’ll Bring

• Demonstrated experience as a test pilot or in developmental flight testing of novel, experimental, or commercial aircraft.
• Strong foundation in engineering, computer science, math, flight sciences, naval architecture, or a related technical discipline - however you built it.
• Demonstrated knowledge of novel or prototype vehicle operations, including risk/hazard identification and mitigation.
• Experience with aircraft or boat handling, development or operational test, and demonstration planning.
• Startup mindset: willing to build processes from scratch, move fast, and wear multiple hats.
• Must be willing to relocate to Rhode Island (*we offer a staggered relo program) and travel to support demonstrations.

You’re the kind of person who...

• Thrives at the edge of the envelope - literally. You're energized by being one of the first to operate a new category of vehicle, not intimidated by it.
• Builds as you go. You're comfortable writing the checklist that didn't exist yesterday and flying from it in the future. Incomplete procedures don't paralyze you - they're an invitation to make something better.
• Communicates across disciplines. You can debrief an engineer on what you felt in the cockpit, brief a customer on what they're about to see, and align a crew on the plan for the day - switching registers without losing precision.
• Makes the team better. You share what you learn - from test debrief to training material - so the whole crew levels up, not just you. You invest in the people around you as seriously as you invest in the mission.
• Makes sound calls under pressure. When conditions change, data is ambiguous, or the situation doesn't match the brief, you have the judgment to decide and the discipline to document why.
• Takes ownership of safety in a startup environment. You run rigorous risk assessments and hold the line on what matters - while keeping pace with a team that moves fast. You thrive in the space between "move fast" and "get it right" — because you know those aren't opposites.
• Leaves things better than you found them. Every test, every demo, every debrief is an opportunity to improve the procedure, the training, or the vehicle itself.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation including a robust equity incentive plan.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance - we cover 100% of your premiums.
• 401(k) with company matching, so you can plan for the future.
• Generous flexible time off, paid parental leave, and company-wide holiday breaks.
• Relocation packages available for those moving to join our team.
• Daily, free catered lunches
• Learning & professional development opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer

REGENT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.