Senior Flight Test Engineer, Autonomy Integration and Validation
Venture-backed defense-technology company building autonomy software and unmanned aircraft, San Diego role
| Employer | Venture-backed defense-technology company building autonomy software and unmanned aircraft, San Diego role (not named) |
|---|---|
| Location | San Diego, CA (San Diego) · On-site |
| Type & level | Full-time · Senior |
| Pay | USD 110k–170k base, plus bonus and equity Source: pay range stated in the source posting |
| Visa path | O-1A fit (senior candidates) |
| Role family | Flight Test Engineer |
About the role
This role sits on a quality team that validates an autonomy software platform through simulation, hardware-in-the-loop and real flight testing. The engineer designs and runs flight test campaigns on small unmanned aircraft and partner platforms. The goal is to find product issues early and make autonomous behavior dependable in demanding operating conditions.
What you'll do
- Lead system-level integration and flight test campaigns for mission autonomy on small unmanned aircraft and external platforms.
- Write test strategies, plans, scenarios and success criteria that reflect real customer workflows.
- Decide test readiness and phase-gate entry and exit across simulation, software-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, ground and flight testing.
- Plan and run fly-fix-fly cycles, approve test cards and procedures, and act as final authority during test conduct, including hazard analysis and risk mitigation.
- Maintain test infrastructure such as simulation environments, flight assets, hardware configurations and automated test pipelines.
- Analyze flight logs, telemetry and rosbags to find root causes, document anomalies and corrective actions, and report progress and risk to leadership and customers.
Requirements
- At least 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree, or 4 years with a Master's degree, or equivalent work experience.
- Experience in system integration and test across simulation, software-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop and flight test environments.
- Strong written and verbal communication for safety-of-flight processes, hazard analysis and configuration control.
- Problem-solving skill in analyzing flight logs, telemetry and system behavior to find root causes.
- Ability to organize complex, fast-paced test campaigns and collaborate across software, hardware, product and test teams.
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, or ability to obtain one within a reasonable time.
Nice to have
- Familiarity with networking, Linux and radio communications.
- Experience with hardware design selection and 3D prototyping.
- Experience with modern software development interfaces and GitLab.
- Experience with open-source flight controller software and sensor integration.
- Experience debugging autonomy subsystems through ROS logs, or building automated test tooling and data analysis tools in CI/CD pipelines.
Pay & benefits
USD 110k–170k base, plus bonus and equity. The posting says full-time employees receive pay within the stated range plus bonus, benefits and equity. It does not detail the specific benefits.
Pay source: pay range stated in the source posting. Market data, not an offer from O1DMatch.
Visa path
People in senior flight test roles often support an O-1A case with evidence such as a record of leading test programs, technical contributions to autonomy or aircraft systems, publications or conference talks, and a high salary relative to peers. The posting states no citizenship or work-authorization restriction. An employer like this one, or a U.S. agent, can file an O-1A petition, but approval depends on the individual's documented achievements.
How to get matched
- Take the free eligibility checkAn AI review of your background against the eight O-1 criteria, at check.o1dmatch.com.
- Create your profile with code WORKWITHUSIt unlocks the Starter plan at no cost. Tell us your field and the work you do today.
- Upload your evidenceEach document is sorted under the criterion it supports, and your criteria map shows what is still missing.
- Get matchedWe match strong profiles with U.S. employers hiring for roles like this one. Gigs you confirm with verified companies count toward your itinerary, and at a score of 75 we connect you with an immigration attorney.
This listing describes a real U.S. posting so you can see what employers ask for. O1DMatch does not represent that employer and does not hold this opening; applying matches you with employers hiring for this kind of role. No visa outcome is promised.