Senior Flight Test Engineer

Skyways designs, builds, and operates fully autonomous long-range cargo aircraft. We have been flying real missions with real customers since 2017.

Our V2 carries 30 lbs up to 500 miles and our V3 carries 100 lbs over 1,000 miles with 20+ hours of endurance. Both use a dual-hybrid design that takes off like a helicopter and cruises like a plane. We are currently flying on three continents, in controlled national airspace under FAA oversight, and in support of U.S. military operations.

Backed by Y Combinator and a $37M STRATFI contract from the U.S. Air Force, we are moving from prototype to full-rate production with a path to Program of Record. Based in Austin, we are scaling fast and hiring people who want to build the world's largest fleet of autonomous logistics aircraft.

The Opportunity

As a Senior Flight Test Engineer, you’ll own the planning, execution, and analysis of flight tests that validate our aircraft’s performance, safety, and reliability. You’ll define test objectives, design methodologies, and work hands-on with aircraft and data systems to turn real-world results into engineering decisions.

This is a high-impact role that bridges engineering and operations. You’ll work closely with Systems, Software, GNC, and Flight Operations to scope test plans, coordinate execution, and interpret results — ensuring every test drives meaningful progress toward product readiness and certification.

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What You’ll Do:

- Own flight test and validation strategy tied to aircraft certification

- Translate requirements into test plans, procedures, and pass/fail criteria

- Build and maintain traceability from requirements to test results

- Plan and execute flight tests with clear objectives tied to system validation

- Determine what is tested in simulation, ground, and flight to maximize learning and efficiency

- Analyze flight data and drive clear outcomes back to engineering teams

- Partner with GNC, software, hardware, and systems to close issues and re-test

- Generate test reports and artifacts required for certification and external stakeholders

- Lead flight readiness reviews and call out when systems are not ready

What You’ll Bring:

- Experience with flight test on UAVs, aircraft, or similar complex systems

- Direct involvement in qualification, certification, or formal validation efforts

- Strong systems understanding across hardware, software, and controls

- Ability to design test strategies, not just execute predefined plans

- Experience working in field environments and running live test operations

- Comfortable making real-time decisions during test and pushing back when needed

Bonus Points If You Have: - FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.

- Experience with PX4, ArduPilot, or custom flight stacks.

- Experience with FAA, DoD, or other certification / qualification processes

- Background in GNC, systems engineering, or flight sciences

- Experience with autonomous systems and validation of autonomy behaviors

- Experience building test infrastructure (HIL, SIL, ground test setups)

- Has taken a vehicle or system from prototype through qualification

\nWant to join our mission? Apply to learn more!

Due to U.S. government contract requirements, this role is limited to U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or candidates from specific countries authorized under applicable export control regulations.

Skyways is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other factor protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.