Senior Manager, Flight Test

Responsibilities

Team Leadership: Oversee the flight test team, which includes operations and engineering personnel

Test Deployment: Design and improve test deployment strategies, ensuring efficient execution and comprehensive reporting of results

Plan Design and Review: Take charge of designing and reviewing test plans for Mechanical and Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) systems

Data Analysis: Perform in-depth analysis of flight data to identify and address anomalies, root causes, and bugs

Plan Execution: Design and execute test plans, including helix tests and future aircraft architecture tests

Fleet Management: Contribute to the design of fleet management practices to ensure efficient operation of the aircraft fleet

Risk Assessment: Complete and manage operational risk assessments for both unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and manned flight operations

Tool & KPI Development: Create tools to visualize flight data and aid in root cause analysis, speeding up bug resolution processes

Flight Testing: Conduct flight and handling qualities testing of experimental hardware and software configurations, potentially serving as a crewed test pilot

Mentorship: Mentor other engineers and flight crew members, sharing expertise and best practices

Industry Best Practices: Implement best practices from the industry to mature the flight organization and improve efficiency and safety

Regulatory Compliance: Manage, maintain, and ensure compliance with UAS Certificate of Authorization (COA), Special Airworthiness Certificates (SAC-EC), and other relevant certifications.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field. Advanced degrees or certifications may be preferred

Extensive experience in flight testing with a strong understanding of flight test methodologies and procedures

Experience in leadership roles, managing teams and projects effectively

Proficiency in data analysis tools and techniques for interpreting flight data

Knowledge of aviation regulations and compliance requirements for UAS operations

Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, for effective collaboration with team members and stakeholders

Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to innovate and adapt in dynamic environments

Experience with mentoring and coaching to develop the skills of junior team members

Familiarity with industry standards and best practices in flight testing and aircraft development

Attributes aligned with Core Values

Demonstrates a proactive safety mindset by embedding safety into daily operations, identifying and mitigating risks through assessments and training, encouraging open dialogue on safety concerns, and continuously improving protocols to ensure a safe work environment.

Puts customers at the center of every action by deeply understanding their challenges, delivering exceptional value, and striving to exceed expectations to support their success as our core purpose.

Actively seeks and values diverse stakeholder perspectives, builds cross-functional relationships, and fosters trust through empathetic, fact-based communication—committing to shared decisions for the greater good.

Drives results with clarity and purpose by focusing on what matters most, adapting to change, taking initiative, and owning outcomes while aligning actions with a clear understanding of success at every level.

Navigates ambiguity with resilience and bold thinking, challenges the status quo, and combines innovative ideas with practical best practices to overcome obstacles and drive progress.

Fosters a high-performance culture grounded in respect, professionalism, and support—balancing high expectations with a healthy, collaborative environment and being a trusted, dependable teammate.