UAS Flight Test Engineer

Flock; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 84,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Flock is seeking a drone test engineer in Atlanta to lead outdoor flight testing and validation of DFR aircraft hardware and software integrations. You will act as Pilot in Command during field operations and develop data-driven insights from tests.

You will write Python scripts to extract flight data, analyze behavior, and troubleshoot hardware/software discrepancies in dynamic environments, spending 70%+ time outdoors.

Qualifications

• Experience performing flight testing of UAVs and hardware/integrations.
• Ability to write and modify test scripts to collect flight data.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for hardware and software discrepancies.
• Documentation of flight data and testing results for engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical flight testing and evaluation for DFR aircraft and hardware.
• Serve as Pilot in Command during outdoor flight operations.
• Write/modify Python scripts for data extraction and analysis.
• Perform root-cause troubleshooting on field and bench tests.
• Document flight data and communicate findings to engineers.

Skills

Flight testing

Python scripting

Root-cause analysis

Data documentation

Hardware integration

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical discipline

Tools

Python

Job description

The Problem

As Flock rapidly expands our Drone as First Responder programs, ensuring the hardware and software integrations for our aircraft perform with absolute reliability is critical to real-time operations. Building out cutting-edge airborne technology requires rigorous technical testing, field evaluation, and rapid iteration under real-world conditions. You will own hardware testing, pilot test flights, and validate new components so our DFR systems perform seamlessly when timing matters most.

The Problem

As Flock rapidly expands our Drone as First Responder programs, ensuring the hardware and software integrations for our aircraft perform with absolute reliability is critical to real-time operations. Building out cutting-edge airborne technology requires rigorous technical testing, field evaluation, and rapid iteration under real-world conditions. You will own hardware testing, pilot test flights, and validate new components so our DFR systems perform seamlessly when timing matters most.

What You'll Own

• Lead technical flight testing and evaluation for DFR aircraft, hardware integrations, and system components.
• Serve as Pilot in Command during outdoor flight operations, evaluating system behavior and performance across diverse conditions.
• Write and modify custom test scripts using Python and terminal interfaces to extract data and analyze flight behavior.
• Conduct root-cause troubleshooting on physical and software discrepancies encountered during bench testing and field missions.
• Document flight data, generate technical test write-ups, and communicate actionable findings to engineering stakeholders.

What This Role Is Not

• This isn't a pure bench-research or lab-only role, you'll be outdoors testing hardware and flying aircraft over 70% of the time.
• This is not a purely administrative piloting position, you'll actively debug custom software, write testing scripts, and integrate hardware.
• This isn't a desk-bound remote job, you will be on-site in Atlanta with up to 25% domestic travel for field testing and operational missions.

What You Bring

• Valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate to operate UAS platforms legally and safely.
• Hands-on experience integrating physical components and assessing hardware compatibility on aircraft systems.
• Capability to interact with custom software via terminal interfaces and write or adapt Python scripts for test data collection.
• Physical stamina to work outdoors in active field testing environments over 70% of the time and lift up to 55 lbs of equipment.
• A bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline, or equivalent professional flight test and hardware experience.
• Experience with experimental UAS flight testing or custom flight controllers is a plus.

Compensation

In this role, you'll receive a starting salary between $84,000 and $95,000 as well as Flock Stock Options. Base salary is determined by job-related experience, education/training, as well as market indicators. Your recruiter will discuss this in depth with you during our first chat.

#ZR

Why Flock

Every community deserves to be safe. Flock builds the technology that makes that real: last year we supported over 1 million criminal investigations and helped locate more than 10,000 missing people. We're 1,700 people building the impossible with over $1B in funding, and the expectations are high on purpose. If you want a role where the stakes are real and the pace matches, this is it.

Some problems get solved faster in the same room, so we prioritize candidates in Atlanta and Boston. Hub-based roles mean real in-person time with your coworkers. Remote roles exist, and when a posting is open to remote work, it says so.

The impossible takes every kind of mind. Flock is an equal opportunity employer, and we know the best solutions come from diverse perspectives, experiences, and skills working together with mutual respect. Everyone is welcome to apply. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, email [e-mail]; your information stays confidential and is used only to arrange the right accommodation for your interviews.

On compensation. We pay fairly for the work. Base salary is determined by job-related experience, education, training, and market indicators. The range in this posting covers base salary only and doesn't include equity, sales bonus plans where applicable, or benefits. The range may be adjusted over time, and this posting may span more than one career level.

One last thing. All legitimate communication from Flock comes from an email ending in @flocksafety.com or [e-mail]. We never make offers through messaging apps or third parties, and we never request payment or sensitive personal information during hiring. If you encounter suspicious outreach about a Flock role, report it to [e-mail].