Experimental UAV Test Pilot

Seneca•Sausalito, CA

22d

About The Position

We’re hiring an Experimental UAV Test Pilot to accelerate development of next-generation heavy-lift UAV prototypes. Your mission is to own safe, disciplined flight testing that generates high-quality data and actionable engineering feedback, enabling rapid iteration and flight-envelope expansion on new platforms. You’ll be hands-on flying experimental multi-rotors in varied configurations and conditions, tuning PX4/ArduPilot systems, validating new builds, and diagnosing flight behaviors. This role requires comfort operating prototype aircraft, executing structured test plans, and collaborating directly with engineering to refine hardware, software, and controls. Seneca is eliminating the $1 trillion threat of wildfire across 500 million acres with AI-powered autonomous drone systems. Imagine a world where firefighters can respond to a blaze in under 6 minutes using autonomous suppression technology. That's the world Seneca is building. We’re combining the deep expertise of seasoned fire professionals with the innovation of billion-dollar technology builders to create advanced systems that save lives, property, and natural resources. This is more than a job—it's a mission to transform safety across 500 million acres. Whatever your background, if you’re a builder, an innovator, or a problem-solver, you belong here. Don’t meet every single requirement? If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply — you may still be the right fit for our team.

Requirements

FAA Part 107 certification
Strong piloting judgment with prototype and non-consumer UAVs
PID tuning proficiency (PX4, ArduPilot)
Skilled in structured troubleshooting, log analysis, and technical documentation
Checklist-driven safety discipline
Solid understanding of propulsion, avionics, batteries, and GSE
Hands-on experience building or modifying custom UAVs
Willing to work outdoors in variable conditions and travel to test sites
Ownership mentality — take projects from idea to execution
Balance of velocity and quality — move fast, but with rigor; high standards and attention to detail
Efficiency & follow-through — keeps operations unblocked and organized
Iterative problem solving — breakdown complex problems, prototype, and refine
Kindness and humility — thrive in collaborative, mission-driven cross-functional teams

Responsibilities

Execute experimental flight tests to meet envelope-expansion goals (payload, wind, modes), following structured test cards and maintaining full logs.
Tune PX4/ArduPilot controllers and show measurable stability and responsiveness improvements; record parameter deltas and impact after each flight.
Run disciplined pre/post-flight routines (checklists, airworthiness, debriefs).
Diagnose flight issues —vibration, tuning, propulsion, sensor faults—and provide concise findings that reduce engineering turnaround time.
Capture high-quality data and ensure all logs, anomalies, and tuning changes are usable for engineering analysis.
Maintain safe operations under Part 107, proactively identifying hazards and managing range conditions.
Collaborate with engineering to refine builds, troubleshoot hardware/software, and inform design iterations based on flight behavior.