UAS Flight Test Engineer

Flock Safety; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Job summary

Flock Safety in Atlanta is seeking an experienced Flight Test Engineer to own field testing of DFR aircraft and hardware integrations. You will lead outdoor testing, assess system performance under varied conditions, and drive data-driven improvements.

Proficiency with Python for data extraction, along with FAA Part 107 certification, is essential. This role requires up to 25% travel and on-site collaboration with engineering teams.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with field flight tests and hardware integration.
• Proficiency in Python scripts to extract data and analyze flight behavior.
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certification or equivalent.
• Experience working with UAS flight testing and custom flight controllers.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Python scripting

UAS flight testing

FAA Part 107

Hardware integration

Field testing

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical discipline

Equivalent professional flight test and hardware experience

Tools

Python

Terminal interfaces

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.

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.

#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].