UAV Flight Test Lead

Tycho.AI; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Meaningful equity

Generous benefits package

Job summary

Tycho.AI in Cambridge, MA is seeking a UAV Flight Test Lead to plan and own flight-test campaigns, translating strategic goals into concrete test plans and ensuring safe, compliant field operations.

You will coordinate with software and hardware teams, manage test logistics, analyze telemetry, author test plans and hazard analyses, and lead field tests with FAA Part 107 oversight. This in-person role requires travel to test sites and hands-on work with UAVs in GPS-denied environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Willingness to work in the field a majority of the time: travel to test sites, early mornings, variable weather, hands-on with vehicles.
• Hands-on, system-level flight test experience with formal test design, planning, and post-test reporting.
• Active FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate or ability to obtain one; BVLOS waivers, COA processes, or military test range coordination.
• Proficiency with flight software and Linux; experience with PX4, ArduPilot, MAVLink, ROS2, QGroundControl.
• Proficiency with flight instrumentation, telemetry systems, and data analysis.
• Familiarity with Git, Jira, and collaborative engineering practices.

Responsibilities

• Own coordination with software and hardware teams to align test objectives and deliver availability and efficient flight-test execution.
• Translate company strategic goals into concrete flight test plans and outcomes.
• Track flight test campaign progress and maintain fleet/test team readiness.
• Plan, attend and lead flight tests in the field; in-person presence required during tests.
• Author, review, and approve flight test plans, hazard analyses, test cards, and reports.
• Coordinate with authorities to ensure FAA compliance (Part 107, waivers), range requirements, and safety protocols.
• Establish telemetry/data pipelines and lead root-cause investigations for anomalies.

Skills

Flight test leadership

Hands-on flight test

Linux proficiency

Flight instrumentation

Git/Jira familiarity

C/C++ and Python

Test design & documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace / Mechanical / Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

PX4

ArduPilot

MAVLink

ROS2

QGroundControl

Git

Jira

Job description

About Tycho.AI

Tycho.AI is redefining the future of autonomous intelligence. Spun out of MIT and backed by DoD contracts, we are building breakthrough AI and autonomy solutions for unmanned systems operating in GPS-denied and contested environments. We are a fast-growing, dual-use technology company at the forefront of national security and commercial innovation, with a mission to push the boundaries of what autonomous systems can achieve.

Flight test is where our autonomy stack meets the real world. As UAV Flight Test Lead, you will plan and own the campaigns that take our aircraft from bench and simulation to fielded capability. If you want to run flight testing at the cutting edge of autonomy and robotics, we want to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• Own coordination with software and hardware teams to align test objectives, and deliver vehicle and personnel availability, range access, and efficient execution of flight tests.
• Translate company strategic goals into concrete flight test plans and outcomes.
• Track flight test campaign progress and maintain fleet and test team readiness and efficiency.
• Plan, attend and lead flight tests in the field - this is an in-person, in-field position with the expectation of being physically present during most flight tests.
• Author, review, and approve flight test plans, hazard analyses, test cards and reports.
• Coordinate with authorities to ensure compliance with FAA regulations (Part 107, waivers), military range requirements, and internal safety management protocols.
• Establish telemetry and data pipelines for post-flight analysis, and lead root-cause investigations when anomalies or structural failures occur.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Willingness to work in the field a majority of the time: travel to test sites, early mornings, variable weather, and hands-on time with vehicles.
• Hands-on, system-level flight test experience. Demonstrated ownership of formal test design/planning and documentation — flight test plans, hazard analyses, and post-test reporting.
• Active FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate, or the ability to obtain one prior to or shortly after start date. Experience with BVLOS waivers, COA processes, or military test range coordination.
• Comfortable in Linux and experienced with flight software, like PX4, ArduPilot, MAVLink, ROS2, QGroundControl, or similar.
• Proficiency with flight instrumentation, telemetry systems, and data analysis.
• Familiarity with Git, Jira, and collaborative engineering practices.

Nice to Have:

• Experience testing in GPS-denied, degraded, or contested RF environments.
• Background in GNC, sensor fusion, aircraft design, or robotics.
• Software development experience and/or skilled in C/C++ and/or Python.

Why Tycho.AI

• Be part of a rapidly scaling startup defining the future of autonomous intelligence.
• Collaborative, high-trust culture that values innovation, execution, and continuous learning.
• Competitive salary, meaningful equity, and generous benefits package.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement:

Tycho.AI is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or protected veteran status.

E-Verify and Right to Work

Tycho AI participates in E-Verify to confirm work authorization in the United States. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. and may be subject to a government security clearance process