Deployed Flight Test Engineer

Pyka is seeking a deployed flight test engineer to support the development and commercial deployments of their advanced autonomous aircraft. The role involves setting up missions in different locations abroad, training and supporting customers, and ensuring the standardization of aircraft operations and procedures. The engineer will spend approximately 60% of their time deployed at customer sites for periods of 3 to 5 weeks. This multidisciplinary role requires strong communication skills and technical knowledge, with experience in flight operations being preferred.

Set up the first missions of Pyka's planes in different locations abroad

Train and support customers as they operate the aircraft

Test, evaluate, and deploy advanced autonomous aircraft

Spent approximately 60% of time deployed at customer sites for 3 to 5 week periods

Participate in recurrent training and preparation at Pyka test facilities in Dixon, CA

Ensure standardization of aircraft ground and flight operations and procedures

Contribute to the evolution of the product

Interact with internal and external organizations

Utilize written and verbal communication skills

Be technically knowledgeable in flight operations with manned aircraft or UAVs

Travel internationally for work

Participate in international collaborations

• Deployed flight test engineer
• Support development and commercial deployments of advanced autonomous aircraft
• Set up first missions of planes in different locations abroad
• Train and support customers in operating the aircraft
• Spend ~60% of time deployed at customer sites for 3-5 week periods
• Recurrent training and preparation at Pyka test facilities in Dixon, CA - 1 week
• Deployment abroad - 4 weeks
• Optional time off - 2 weeks
• Multidisciplinary role interacting with internal and external organizations
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ensure standardization of aircraft ground and flight operations and procedures
• Instruct and inform the evolution of the product
• Engineering degree not required, but technical knowledge preferred
• Experience with flight operations with manned aircraft or UAVs preferred
• Travel to and participate in international commercial deployments
• Troubleshoot and fix issues at customer sites with remote help from engineering teams
• Recommend new features and improvements to design team
• Conduct fleet maintenance activities
• Assemble, prepare, and test airframe airworthiness after shipment
• Serve as Pilot In Command or Ground Control Operator of unmanned aircraft
• Lead and/or participate in ground and flight test events
• Manage complex logistics in support of flight operations
• Experience flying fixed wing UAVs or large multirotors preferred
• Experience with ground control and mission planning software preferred

• $70,000–$105,000 per year base salary + $20,000–$25,000 anticipated additional cash compensation + equity
• Employer-sponsored health, dental and vision insurance, FSA with employer matching, and 401(k)
• Paid time off, company holidays, and parental leave
• Free catered lunch and plenty of snacks