Senior Reliability Test Engineer

FlightWave Aerospace; Carson (CA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

FlightWave Aerospace is seeking a Senior Reliability Test Engineer to lead reliability test development for their high-performance unmanned aircraft systems. This role involves hands-on collaboration across teams to ensure system reliability in harsh conditions, offering competitive compensation of $132K-$165K annually.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in reliability or test engineering.
• Hands-on experience in developing and executing test plans for electromechanical systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute test strategies for airborne electromechanical systems.
• Design and carry out mechanical stress tests.

Skills

Statistical analysis

Design of Experiments

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace, Electrical

Tools

Data acquisition systems

Job description

Join to apply for the Senior Reliability Test Engineer role at FlightWave Aerospace

1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Join to apply for the Senior Reliability Test Engineer role at FlightWave Aerospace

Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.

Description

At FlightWave, we build high-performance Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for defense, public safety, and other mission-critical applications. We’re looking for a

Description

At FlightWave, we build high-performance Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for defense, public safety, and other mission-critical applications. We’re looking for a Senior Reliability Test Engineer to lead the development and execution of reliability test plans across our drone platforms — ensuring our systems perform with precision and reliability in the harshest operational environments.

You’ll work hands-on and collaborate across hardware, software, and manufacturing teams to plan and run environmental, mechanical, and lifecycle tests. You’ll apply a systems-level view to validation, spanning electro-mechanical, structural, aerodynamic, and electro-optical interfaces, and help shape how FlightWave designs, tests, and qualifies its autonomous aerial systems.

Location Note: This role is onsite in Carson, California.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute system and component-level reliability and design verification test strategies for rugged, airborne electromechanical systems.
• Design and carry out environmental and mechanical stress tests including vibration, shock, thermal cycling, moisture/ingress, and fatigue testing.
• Create custom test fixtures, automation, and data acquisition systems as needed to enable robust, repeatable validation.
• Apply Design of Experiments (DOE), life data analysis, and other statistical techniques (e.g., capability analysis, regression, Weibull analysis) to extract insights and support engineering decisions.
• Partner with supplier quality and purchasing teams to support component qualification, test method validation, and vendor development efforts.
• Contribute to and review risk management deliverables (e.g., DFMEA/PFMEA) and propose test strategies that address top failure modes.
• Support root cause investigations and drive corrective actions through structured test and analysis methods.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace, Electrical, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in reliability, product validation, or mechanical test engineering.
• Hands-on experience designing and building custom test setups, data acquisition systems (image capture, vibration analysis, thermal measurement, EMC/EMI measurement, etc)
• Hands-on experience developing and executing qualification test plans for complex electromechanical systems.
• Demonstrated ability to apply statistical analysis in the context of product testing and reliability evaluation.
• Strong organizational planning skills and enthusiasm to develop high-level validation strategy
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with industry-specific environmental test standards (MIL-STD-810, DO-160, etc.) and associated test methods.
• Experience with lightweight aerostructures, vibrations, fatigue analysis, etc.
• Experience with UAS systems, robotics, autonomous vehicles, etc.
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, and move between lab, office, and manufacturing environments for extended periods.
• Manual dexterity for handling tools, components, and test equipment.
• Visual and hearing ability to safely conduct and monitor test procedures.
• Ability to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when required.
• Comfortable working in environments that may involve vibration, noise, temperature variations, or other test-related conditions.
  
  

Background Check

This position will require successfully completing a post-offer background check. Qualified candidates with a criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with federal and state law.

EEO and ITAR/EAR Work Authorization Disclosure

Red Cat Holdings provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software, technology or technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Successful candidates for positions subject to ITAR/EAR restrictions must provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residence and must not require sponsorship for export-restricted work authorization.

E-Verify

The company participates

Compensation: Salary $132-165K and generous annual equity package

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Engineering and Information Technology

• Industries

  Aviation & Aerospace

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at FlightWave Aerospace by 2x

Sign in to set job alerts for “Senior Test Engineer” roles.

Senior Manager, Software Engineering - League Studio, Build, Test, Ship

Costa Mesa, CA $90,000.00-$142,000.00 1 day ago

Manager, Test, Release & Deployment Engineering

Principal/Sr. Principal Systems Engineer (Radiation Effects Test) - R10192872

Test Engineering Manager - Semiconductor

Reliability & Test Manager - Semiconductor

Laboratory Test Engineering Lead (H/F) - SAFRAN CABIN INC.

Electrical Engineering Manager(test equipment)

Manager, Integration & Test Field Service Site Lead

Long Beach, CA $135,000.00-$170,000.00 2 weeks ago

Software Engineer, Test Engineering and Operations

SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test)

Hawthorne, CA $95,000.00-$115,000.00 1 week ago

Software Engineer, Test Engineering and Operations

Hawthorne, CA $120,000.00-$145,000.00 30 minutes ago

Carson, CA $135,100.00-$168,900.00 1 week ago

Long Beach, CA $135,000.00-$200,000.00 2 weeks ago

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.