Engineering Flight Test Specialist II

AeroVironment•Melbourne, FL

About The Position

The Engineering Flight Test Specialist II acts as remote pilot in command of unmanned aircraft systems or vehicles for flight testing, acceptance testing, flight acceptance testing, training, and internal and external demonstrations. The role involves planning and conducting demonstrations, leading Factory Acceptance and Site Acceptance Testing events, maintaining flight-team equipment and inventory, troubleshooting aircraft and payload issues, and preparing detailed post-flight reports and operational documentation. The specialist monitors aircraft location and in-flight status, maintains situational awareness of threats, follows safety protocols, continually reevaluates risk, and ensures the operational readiness of UAS and supporting systems. The role also includes providing performance feedback, capturing information for after-action reports and lessons learned, completing Jira tasks, and occasionally instructing others in UAS use. The position requires travel of up to 50%, including domestic and international travel, and may involve deployments away from home, irregular hours, weekends, holidays, and work in challenging environments.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent; a bachelor's degree is preferred, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
2–4 years of relevant experience.
Experience working with manufacturing systems, processes, and procedures.
Advanced computer operation skills, including IP protocol.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Access, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Experience controlling systems such as RC aircraft, requiring quick thinking, quick reactions, awareness of subsystem failure symptoms, and appropriate emergency responses.
Understanding of basic flight planning within FAA/ICAO regulations.
Clean DMV and driving record to drive company and rental vehicles.
Ability to work with little or no supervision and exercise independent judgment regularly.
Ability to travel within the Continental U.S. and overseas in support of flight testing.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well across disciplines.
Commitment to learning from mistakes and improving personal, team, and company performance.
Strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives.
Pass the FAA Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft exam and maintain the required FAA Part 107 certificate.
Pass the Annual Proficiency and Readiness Test (APART).
U.S. citizenship is required.
Capability to obtain a U.S. passport.
Pass and maintain medical and dental exams for deployments.
Availability for short- and long-term deployments away from home, both CONUS and OCONUS, with up to 50% travel.
Ability to work alone for long irregular hours, weekends, and holidays, including in difficult situations and environments.
Ability to lift and/or move cases weighing 11–100 pounds; lift up to 55 pounds for shipment and setup at customer training sites; work outdoors in extreme weather and traverse uneven terrain; stand or sit for long periods; perform balancing, handling, fine manipulation, and grasping; repeatedly throw objects weighing up to 25 pounds over the shoulder; assemble and disassemble products; and perform climbing, crouching, stooping, kneeling, and overhead lifting.
Qualify as a U.S. person under ITAR/EAR requirements or be eligible for an export license, subject to the employer's determination and applicable requirements.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree.
Prior hobby experience with remote-controlled aircraft.
Prior military and/or aviation experience.
Solid understanding of military tactics and operations, GPS, and navigation using maps and compass.
Ability to interpret instructions provided in written, oral, diagram, or sketch form.
Focus on teamwork and collaboration, putting team success above personal interests.
Ability to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment where small teams share a broad variety of duties.

Responsibilities

Act as remote pilot in command of unmanned aircraft systems or vehicles for flight tests, acceptance testing, training, and demonstrations.
Prepare detailed post-flight test reports and follow, report, and ensure adherence to safety protocols.
Provide feedback to department personnel on observed aircraft performance.
Perform flight demonstrations and coordinate associated equipment, planning, and travel.
Lead Flight Factory Acceptance and Site Acceptance Testing events.
Manage flight-team inventory and ensure equipment is in good working order.
Check in and check out flight-test-owned equipment.
Analyze and solve problems that arise during flight testing.
Troubleshoot off-the-shelf vendor payload integrations and write post-test procedures.
Complete assigned Jira tasks within their timelines.
Capture critical information for after-action reports and lessons-learned databases.
Complete documentation for field operations, equipment operational status, data collection, and post-flight procedures.
Reevaluate risk assessments and take appropriate actions to mitigate elevated risks.
Maintain awareness of the air vehicle's location, in-flight status, and threats from the air and ground.
Maintain the operational status of UAS and supporting operational systems.
Occasionally instruct others in the use of Unmanned Air Systems.
Participate in the AeroVironment Master Trainer Training Program in accordance with the Master Trainer Training Manual.
Travel domestically and internationally, including deployments away from home, in support of flight testing.
Perform other duties as assigned.