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. Strong communication skills and technical knowledge are essential for this multidisciplinary role. An engineering degree is not required, but experience with flight operations is preferred.

• Travel to and participate in international commercial deployments (Central America, South America to start) to support flight testing, customer training and product support
• Guarantee continuous operations at customer sites by identifying, troubleshooting and fixing any arising issues, with the remote help of Pyka’s engineering teams
• Recommend new features, improvements, design changes, etc. to the design team
• Conduct diverse fleet maintenance activities, involving the aircraft itself, ground infrastructure, laptops, and batteries
• Assemble, prepare and fully test airframe airworthiness after shipment to customer sites
• Serve as Pilot In Command or Ground Control Operator of experimental / developmental unmanned aircraft
• Lead and/or participate in ground and flight test events as Test Conductor or Test Crew member
• Manage complex logistics in support of flight operations

• 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 majority of time deployed at customer sites for 3 to 5 weeks
• Recurrent training and preparation at Pyka test facilities in Dixon, CA for 1 week
• Deployment abroad for 4 weeks
• Optional time off for 2 weeks
• Multidisciplinary role interacting with internal and external organizations
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledgeable in flight operations with manned aircraft or UAVs
• Engineering degree not required but preferred
• Responsible for standardization of aircraft ground and flight operations and procedures
• Informing the evolution of the product
• Travel to and participate in international commercial deployments
• Troubleshoot and fix any arising issues at customer sites
• Recommend new features and improvements to the design team
• Conduct fleet maintenance activities
• Assemble, prepare, and test airframe airworthiness
• 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 model aircraft
• Experience with ground control and mission planning software

• $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