Senior Flight Test Engineer

Pivotal; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401k plans

Onsite HQ in Palo Alto

Job summary

Pivotal, based in Palo Alto, CA, is seeking a Senior Flight Test Engineer to plan, coordinate, and execute flight test activities for its eVTOL and UAS programs. You will work across engineering, flight operations, and certification teams to ensure data-driven validation and regulatory compliance.

The role emphasizes safety, technical excellence, and continuous improvement as the company advances toward certification and commercial operations. Travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Passion for aviation and flight testing.
• Proven ability to lead flight testing projects from inception to completion.
• Strong understanding of envelope expansion testing and hazard analysis.

Responsibilities

• Become a flight test leader and technical subject matter expert in novel eVTOL aircraft.
• Lead, coach and mentor flight test efforts based on experience and expertise.
• Collaborate with design, test, operations and certification teams to align with milestones and regulatory requirements.
• Develop detailed test plans and procedures for UAS and crewed flight testing.
• Analyze performance of aircraft systems and components for reliability issues.
• Document findings, test results, and safety concerns with clear reporting.

Skills

Flight testing

Leadership

Data analysis

Troubleshooting

Communication

CAD (CATIA)

Education

B.S./M.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Mechatronics Engineering

Tools

CATIA

Job description

Pivotal is the leader in the emerging market of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. We design, develop, and manufacture light eVTOL aircraft and are renowned for the BlackFly aircraft the world's first light eVTOL to fly manned missions and enter the consumer market.

Efficient, compact, and simple, Pivotal aircraft are designed for a wide range of consumer, public service, and defense applications. Our distinctive tilt-aircraft architecture and scalable platform have been flying for over 10 years. Last year we announced our next-generation aircraft, the Helix, which is rapidly progressing toward general release and scalable production in 2026.

Mobility is one of the most highly-valued areas of modern technology investments. This is the right company, in the right space, the right strategy, at the right time. If you are ready for adventure, we invite you to join our amazing team and grow with us.

As a Senior Flight Test Engineer at Pivotal, you will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing flight test activities to validate the performance, handling qualities, and safety of our UAS and crewed eVTOL aircraft. This includes developing detailed test plans and procedures, supporting ground and flight tests, and analyzing results to ensure accurate data capture and reporting. You work cross-functionally with engineering, flight operations, and certification teams to ensure all testing aligns with program milestones and regulatory requirements. A strong focus on safety, technical excellence, and continuous improvement is essential in this role as we progress toward certification and commercial operation.

Role Responsibilities

• Become a flight test leader and technical subject matter expert in novel eVTOL aircraft.
• Lead, coach and mentor Pivotal’s flight test efforts based on established experience and expertise.
• Immerse yourself in the design, test, operation, and maintenance of our aircraft
• Develop expertise with the technical aspects our aircraft systems and subsystems
• Strategize and collaborate planning between the flight test and engineering teams to develop and execute UAS and crewed flight testing.
• Some travel required.
• Analyze performance of aircraft electronics and other components for operational and reliability issues
• Troubleshoot and perform repairs and upgrades
• Suggest and/or implement design and process improvements
• Compile and document findings, results of tests, quality or safety concerns
• Keep aircraft fleet flight-ready.
• ThispositionincludestheopportunitytotraintobecomeaBlackFlypilotthroughourBlackFlytrainingprogram.

Qualifications

• Passion for aviation and flight testing
• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Mechatronics Engineering
• 5+ years of flight testing experience with new and novel aircraft designs, configurations, and equipment
• Proven experience leading all aspects of flight testing projects from inception to completion
• Strong understanding of envelope expansion testing methods, flight test hazard and risk analysis, flight test engineering professional development, flight test telemetry methods and procedures.
• Strong understanding of Flight Testing and Aerospace Engineering fundamentals,
• Experience using rigorous scientific methods for testing and troubleshooting aircraft systems
• Proficient with flight test data analysis and flight test documentation
• Able to write technical flight testing documents in a clear and concise manner
• Proficient with solid-modeling CAD software (preferably CATIA) and 2D documentation
• Ability to travel to local test sites to support flight testing
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to effectively communicate with colleagues

Preferred Qualifications

• Long course (or equivalent) training from an SETP recognized test pilot school
• Experience with aircraft certification flight testing
• Experience with aircraft development for DoD
• FAA Part 107 certificate
• FAA private or commercial pilot certificate
• Class II or III FAA medical certificate
• Flight Test DER or ODA unit member
• Familiarity with electric propulsion batteries, motors, motor controllers
• Programming and coding experience (Matlab and/or Python)
• Advanced Google Sheet or MS Excel skills
• Familiarity with FAA Order 4040.26C and ARP 4754

Attributes aligned with Core Values

• Safety Above All: Demonstrates a proactive safety mindset by embedding safety into daily work, identifying and mitigating risks, encouraging open dialogue about safety concerns, and continuously improving practices and protocols.
• Customer Focus: Puts customers at the center of every action by understanding their challenges, delivering meaningful value, and supporting their success.
• Work Better Together: Seeks and values diverse perspectives, builds cross-functional relationships, and fosters trust through empathetic, fact-based communication and commitment to shared decisions.
• Be the Pilot: Drives results with clarity and purpose by focusing on what matters most, adapting to change, taking initiative, and owning outcomes.
• Embrace the Unknown: Navigates ambiguity with resilience and bold thinking, challenges the status quo, and combines innovative ideas with practical approaches to overcome obstacles and drive progress.
• Respect for People: Fosters a high-performance culture grounded in respect, professionalism, and support by balancing high expectations with a healthy, collaborative environment and being a trusted, dependable teammate.

$135,000 - $170,000 a year

Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States and willing to work onsite at our HQ office in Palo Alto, CA.

Pivotal offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and 401k plans.

Pivotal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pivotal does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.