Sr. Flight Test Engineer

Reliable Robotics; California; On-site; USD 190,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Reliable Robotics is seeking a Senior Flight Test Engineer to join the Flight Test and Integration team in advancing automated aviation systems. The role covers verifying modified flight control capabilities, lab to vehicle validation, and end-to-end system assessment, with leadership as test director during campaigns.

Requirements include a Bachelor's in a relevant engineering field and 7+ years of flight test experience, plus experience drafting test plans/hazards and conducting risk analyses.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or related discipline.
• 7+ years of experimental flight test experience.
• Experience drafting test plans, test cards, test hazard analyses, and acting as test director during a flight/mission.
• Experience with making aeronautical VHF radio calls.
• Demonstrated ability to complete system-level risk assessments.

Responsibilities

• Verify the function and capabilities of modified flight control systems for a remotely operated autoflight system.
• Ensure the end-to-end functionality of the system and assess all test requirements; engage with multiple teams.
• Act as the responsible engineer for the vehicle and often as test director during flight campaigns.

Skills

Flight test experience

Test planning

Risk assessment

VHF radio communications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or related discipline

Tools

Test equipment

Job description

We're building safety-enhancing technology for aviation that will save lives. Automated aviation systems will enable a future where air transportation is safer, more convenient and fundamentally transformative to the way goods - and eventually people - move around the planet. We are a team of mission-driven engineers with experience across aerospace, robotics and self-driving cars working to make this future a reality.

As a Senior Flight Test Engineer at Reliable Robotics, you will be a part of the Flight Test and Integration team. The Flight Test and Integration team is responsible for multiple installation and test efforts at Reliable Robotics. The team regularly ensures the proper function of mechanical, electrical, and flight control systems onboard the aircraft. In addition, this team has ownership over all ground and flight test operations within the organization. The team is composed of individuals with experience developing experimental and certification products.

Responsibilities

In your role as Senior Flight Test Engineer, you will verify the function and capabilities of modified flight control systems, for a remotely operated autoflight system. You will ensure the proper build-up of functions and capabilities, beginning in the lab and ending up on the vehicle. You will be expected to verify the end-to-end functionality of the system and ensure the ability to assess all desired test requirements. This will require engaging with many teams throughout the organization and having a firm understanding of the vehicle's capabilities. As part of the flight test campaigns, you’ll act as the responsible engineer for the vehicle and often as test director.

Basic Success Criteria

• Bachelor's Degree of Science or Engineering in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or related discipline
• 7+ years of experimental flight test experience
• Prior experience drafting test plans, test cards, test hazard analyses, and acting as test director during a flight/mission
• Experience with making aeronautical VHF radio calls
• Demonstrated ability to complete system-level risk assessments

Preferred Criteria

• Graduate of an SETP recognized flight test school
• Bachelor's degree or higher in an engineering or science discipline or equivalent industry experience
• Recent Caravan or PT6A experience
• Diversity of experience in multiple aircraft/airframes
• CFII or military flight instructor
• Experience with automated and/or large remotely operated vehicles (UAS, spacecraft, etc)
• Experience working in a Flight Test program focused on Certification
• Experience in developing flight procedures, training curricula, and safety management systems
• Experience flying for a 14 CFR part 135 or 121 Air Carrier
• Deep understanding of FAA certification processes and their implementation
• In depth knowledge of systems engineering processes and principles
• Basic familiarity with software programming principles

Must be willing to travel up to 10% of the time.

This position requires access to information that is subject to U.S. export controls. An offer of employment will be contingent upon the applicant's capacity to perform in compliance with U.S. export control laws.

All applicants are asked to provide documentation that legally establishes status as a U.S. person or non-U.S. person (and nationalities in the case of a non-U.S. person). Where the applicant is not a U.S. person, meaning not a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident, (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. * 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. * 1158, or not otherwise permitted to access the export-controlled technology without U.S. government authorization, the Company reserves the right not to apply for an export license for such applicants whose access to export-controlled technology or software source code requires authorization and may decline to proceed with the application process and any offer of employment on that basis.

At Reliable Robotics, our goal is to be a diverse and inclusive workforce. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, ancestry, sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, non‑disqualifying physical or mental disability or medical conditions, national origin, military or veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other basis covered by applicable law. All employment and promotion is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre‑employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to [e-mail]

Compensation Range: $190K - $260K