UAS Flight Test Engineer
Dracoe HQ / North Carolina
|
The Workshop
|
Full Time
About
The Workshop
The Workshop is where ideas are transformed into capability and problems are solved.
It’s our engineering hub - where autonomous systems are conceived, built, tested, and refined to address real operational challenges.
Spanning the entire UAS ecosystem, our work covers software, platform design, RF, propulsion, and beyond - all tightly integrated from concept to prototype.
Our environment is transparent and experimentation-driven. We encourage rapid iteration, early learning, and constructive challenge, creating space for bold thinking and technical excellence.
By empowering exceptional engineers to explore, test, and improve without friction, The Workshop consistently delivers smarter, more resilient systems.
What you’ll do
Role
This role gives you ownership over flight testing, performance and operational evaluation of Group 1 and 2 UAS platforms and their supporting sub-systems.
You will translate high-level company objectives into structured, data-driven flight test campaigns that accelerate development while maintaining operational safety and regulatory compliance.
Working at the intersection of aerospace, robotics, autonomy, and real-world operations, you will take aircraft from prototype through envelope expansion and operational readiness validation.This role covers test planning, instrumentation, flight operations, and data-driven problem solving. This is a hands-on, flight-focused role for ambitious engineers who want systems to perform in real-world conditions.
Responsibilities
- Translate objectives into structured test campaigns, verification plans, and flight envelopes for both VTOL and fixed-wing operations
- Lead flight operations including pre-flight briefs, risk assessments, test card execution, Flight Readiness Reviews (FRRs), and Go/No-Go decisions
- Define instrumentation, telemetry, and data requirements to support engineering decision-making and establish fast feedback loops between flight test and design teams
- Manage scheduling and coordination of aircraft, pilots, airspace, and ground systems while ensuring compliance with FAA regulations (Part 107, Part 91 Experimental, or other applicable frameworks)
- Track anomalies, drive root cause investigations through closure, and communicate flight test results clearly to engineering leadership and executive stakeholders
- Build scalable test infrastructure, establish standard operating procedures and safety processes, and mentor junior flight test engineers to develop a strong safety culture
- Work closely with cross-functional teams including software, controls, manufacturing, and systems engineering to prioritize test resources based on program risk and aircraft maturity
Who you are
Experience
• 3+ years in flight test, systems test, aircraft development, or related engineering roles
• Hands-on experience with complex PX4 or ArduPilot-based UAS platforms
• Direct experience completing at least three full design cycles in UAS or robotics
• Experience operating VTOL, fixed-wing, and/or hybrid aircraft platforms
• Experience conducting flight envelope expansion and structured test campaigns
• Familiarity with telemetry monitoring, log analysis, and post-processing tools
Skills
• Strong understanding of flight dynamics, controls, and systems integration
• Working proficiency in C++ and Python for debugging, log analysis, and tool development
• MAVLink / PX4 / ArduPilot ecosystem knowledge
• Flight Test Planning & Execution
• Risk Assessment & Safety Management
• Systems-level troubleshooting across mechanical, electrical, and software domains
• Clear verbal, written, and presentation communication
• Data-driven decision making under operational pressure
Qualifications
Required:
• Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical or Aerospace Engineering (or equivalent)
• Private Pilot Certificate or UAS Remote Pilot Certificate
• Demonstrated passion for aviation, including personal projects, flight experience, or independent builds
Equivalent practical experience designing and testing complex aerospace systems will be considered in lieu of formal qualifications.
Desirable
- Experience building or scaling a flight test organization
- Experience operating in defence, national security, or high-tempo aerospace environments
- Experience developing and validating autonomous systems in real-world deployments
- Autonomous vehicle development and flight testing
- Military Experience or background in defense
What you’ll get
Compensation
$96,000 - $126,000
Benefits
We offer comprehensive health insurance, generous paid time off, access to a company pension scheme and equity in a mission-driven company.
Stipends
You'll receive an annual stipend for gym reimbursements for up to $1000 per year and approved role-related learning credits for up to $1000 per year.
UAS Flight Test Engineer
About
The Workshop
The Workshop is where ideas are transformed into capability and problems are solved.
It’s our engineering hub - where autonomous systems are conceived, built, tested, and refined to address real operational challenges.
Spanning the entire UAS ecosystem, our work covers software, platform design, RF, propulsion, and beyond - all tightly integrated from concept to prototype.
Our environment is transparent and experimentation-driven. We encourage rapid iteration, early learning, and constructive challenge, creating space for bold thinking and technical excellence.
By empowering exceptional engineers to explore, test, and improve without friction, The Workshop consistently delivers smarter, more resilient systems.
What you’ll do
Role
This role gives you ownership over flight testing, performance and operational evaluation of Group 1 and 2 UAS platforms and their supporting sub-systems.
You will translate high-level company objectives into structured, data-driven flight test campaigns that accelerate development while maintaining operational safety and regulatory compliance.
Working at the intersection of aerospace, robotics, autonomy, and real-world operations, you will take aircraft from prototype through envelope expansion and operational readiness validation.This role covers test planning, instrumentation, flight operations, and data-driven problem solving. This is a hands-on, flight-focused role for ambitious engineers who want systems to perform in real-world conditions.
Responsibilities
- Translate objectives into structured test campaigns, verification plans, and flight envelopes for both VTOL and fixed-wing operations
- Lead flight operations including pre-flight briefs, risk assessments, test card execution, Flight Readiness Reviews (FRRs), and Go/No-Go decisions
- Define instrumentation, telemetry, and data requirements to support engineering decision-making and establish fast feedback loops between flight test and design teams
- Manage scheduling and coordination of aircraft, pilots, airspace, and ground systems while ensuring compliance with FAA regulations (Part 107, Part 91 Experimental, or other applicable frameworks)
- Track anomalies, drive root cause investigations through closure, and communicate flight test results clearly to engineering leadership and executive stakeholders
- Build scalable test infrastructure, establish standard operating procedures and safety processes, and mentor junior flight test engineers to develop a strong safety culture
- Work closely with cross-functional teams including software, controls, manufacturing, and systems engineering to prioritize test resources based on program risk and aircraft maturity
Who you are
Experience
• 3+ years in flight test, systems test, aircraft development, or related engineering roles
• Hands-on experience with complex PX4 or ArduPilot-based UAS platforms
• Direct experience completing at least three full design cycles in UAS or robotics
• Experience operating VTOL, fixed-wing, and/or hybrid aircraft platforms
• Experience conducting flight envelope expansion and structured test campaigns
• Familiarity with telemetry monitoring, log analysis, and post-processing tools
Skills
• Strong understanding of flight dynamics, controls, and systems integration
• Working proficiency in C++ and Python for debugging, log analysis, and tool development
• MAVLink / PX4 / ArduPilot ecosystem knowledge
• Flight Test Planning & Execution
• Risk Assessment & Safety Management
• Systems-level troubleshooting across mechanical, electrical, and software domains
• Clear verbal, written, and presentation communication
• Data-driven decision making under operational pressure
Qualifications
Required:
• Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical or Aerospace Engineering (or equivalent)
• Private Pilot Certificate or UAS Remote Pilot Certificate
• Demonstrated passion for aviation, including personal projects, flight experience, or independent builds
Equivalent practical experience designing and testing complex aerospace systems will be considered in lieu of formal qualifications.
Desirable
- Experience building or scaling a flight test organization
- Experience operating in defence, national security, or high-tempo aerospace environments
- Experience developing and validating autonomous systems in real-world deployments
- Autonomous vehicle development and flight testing
- Military Experience or background in defense
What you’ll get
Compensation
$96,000 - $126,000
Benefits
We offer comprehensive health insurance, generous paid time off, access to a company pension scheme and equity in a mission-driven company.
Stipends
You'll receive an annual stipend for gym reimbursements for up to $1000 per year and approved role-related learning credits for up to $1000 per year.
UAS Flight Test Engineer
About
The Workshop
The Workshop is where ideas are transformed into capability and problems are solved.
It’s our engineering hub - where autonomous systems are conceived, built, tested, and refined to address real operational challenges.
Spanning the entire UAS ecosystem, our work covers software, platform design, RF, propulsion, and beyond - all tightly integrated from concept to prototype.
Our environment is transparent and experimentation-driven. We encourage rapid iteration, early learning, and constructive challenge, creating space for bold thinking and technical excellence.
By empowering exceptional engineers to explore, test, and improve without friction, The Workshop consistently delivers smarter, more resilient systems.
What you’ll do
Role
This role gives you ownership over flight testing, performance and operational evaluation of Group 1 and 2 UAS platforms and their supporting sub-systems.
You will translate high-level company objectives into structured, data-driven flight test campaigns that accelerate development while maintaining operational safety and regulatory compliance.
Working at the intersection of aerospace, robotics, autonomy, and real-world operations, you will take aircraft from prototype through envelope expansion and operational readiness validation.This role covers test planning, instrumentation, flight operations, and data-driven problem solving. This is a hands-on, flight-focused role for ambitious engineers who want systems to perform in real-world conditions.
Responsibilities
- Translate objectives into structured test campaigns, verification plans, and flight envelopes for both VTOL and fixed-wing operations
- Lead flight operations including pre-flight briefs, risk assessments, test card execution, Flight Readiness Reviews (FRRs), and Go/No-Go decisions
- Define instrumentation, telemetry, and data requirements to support engineering decision-making and establish fast feedback loops between flight test and design teams
- Manage scheduling and coordination of aircraft, pilots, airspace, and ground systems while ensuring compliance with FAA regulations (Part 107, Part 91 Experimental, or other applicable frameworks)
- Track anomalies, drive root cause investigations through closure, and communicate flight test results clearly to engineering leadership and executive stakeholders
- Build scalable test infrastructure, establish standard operating procedures and safety processes, and mentor junior flight test engineers to develop a strong safety culture
- Work closely with cross-functional teams including software, controls, manufacturing, and systems engineering to prioritize test resources based on program risk and aircraft maturity
Who you are
Experience
• 3+ years in flight test, systems test, aircraft development, or related engineering roles
• Hands-on experience with complex PX4 or ArduPilot-based UAS platforms
• Direct experience completing at least three full design cycles in UAS or robotics
• Experience operating VTOL, fixed-wing, and/or hybrid aircraft platforms
• Experience conducting flight envelope expansion and structured test campaigns
• Familiarity with telemetry monitoring, log analysis, and post-processing tools
Skills
• Strong understanding of flight dynamics, controls, and systems integration
• Working proficiency in C++ and Python for debugging, log analysis, and tool development
• MAVLink / PX4 / ArduPilot ecosystem knowledge
• Flight Test Planning & Execution
• Risk Assessment & Safety Management
• Systems-level troubleshooting across mechanical, electrical, and software domains
• Clear verbal, written, and presentation communication
• Data-driven decision making under operational pressure
Qualifications
Required:
• Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical or Aerospace Engineering (or equivalent)
• Private Pilot Certificate or UAS Remote Pilot Certificate
• Demonstrated passion for aviation, including personal projects, flight experience, or independent builds
Equivalent practical experience designing and testing complex aerospace systems will be considered in lieu of formal qualifications.
Desirable
- Experience building or scaling a flight test organization
- Experience operating in defence, national security, or high-tempo aerospace environments
- Experience developing and validating autonomous systems in real-world deployments
- Autonomous vehicle development and flight testing
- Military Experience or background in defense
What you’ll get
Compensation
$96,000 - $126,000
Benefits
We offer comprehensive health insurance, generous paid time off, access to a company pension scheme and equity in a mission-driven company.
Stipends
You'll receive an annual stipend for gym reimbursements for up to $1000 per year and approved role-related learning credits for up to $1000 per year.