Flight Test Engineer, Ghost

Anduril Industries•San Clemente, CA

3d•$86,000 - $114,000•Onsite

About The Position

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company focused on transforming military capabilities with advanced technology. The Test and Evaluation team ensures product performance and reliability through comprehensive testing. This role specifically seeks a flight test engineer to focus on software/hardware capability development and evaluation for the Ghost sUAS platform, an autonomous vehicle for ISR missions. The engineer will evaluate software and hardware for operational suitability and Ghost's integration into Anduril's systems for complex operations.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a closely related technical discipline from an accredited institution.
1-3 years of experience in flight testing, flight test planning, or aviation systems development.
Hands-on experience with test instrumentation, data acquisition systems, or aircraft systems integration is strongly preferred.
Understanding of flight test principles, including test planning, execution, and data analysis.
Familiarity with test card development, safety risk assessments, and test methodology.
Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to quickly understand new technical concepts and apply them effectively.
Ability to assess and mitigate technical risks during flight testing.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Capable of clearly documenting test plans, procedures, and results.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across teams, including engineering, program management, and operations.
Current or ability to obtain FAA 14 CFR Part 107 certification for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
Willingness and ability to work extended hours as required.
Willingness and ability to conduct field testing in diverse outdoor environments, including exposure to sun, heat, and occasional rain.
Comfortable with hands-on work that involves physical tasks such as lifting, carrying, and setting up test equipment.
Ability to occasionally lift and move objects weighing up to 80 lbs (e.g., drone systems) with appropriate assistance and safety measures.
Ability to travel for test planning, execution, and customer engagements.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a relevant field.
Knowledge of FAA regulations and National Airspace procedures, particularly as they relate to manned and unmanned aircraft operations.
Strong software and documentation experience; familiarity with Linux-based operating systems.
Experience with GitHub, CircleCI, ssh, bash, and command line.
Knowledge and experience with Group 1/2 rotary systems that utilize commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) flight control systems and Ardupilot firmware.
Experience working DoD programs.
Familiarity with remote operations and ground control stations.
Prior experience with military or civilian flight test operations.
Direct experience working with UAS platforms or autonomous systems.
Test Pilot School experience or equivalent training is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Partner with Ghost engineering to be responsible for test planning, execution, reporting, and evaluating the system under test (software and/or hardware).
Support daily flight test operations and campaigns at multiple test locations.
Support and plan test events in support of the product roadmap and production schedule.
With guidance, manage and oversee a sound configuration management plan of test assets in preparation for multiple test campaigns.
Manage an inventory plan to keep all assets fully mission capable and ready for test.
Prepare for test readiness reviews, safety review boards, and operational test readiness.
Create and disseminate test reports that create awareness for all stakeholders on system status in varying test campaigns and/or initiatives.
Generate and oversee the execution of test cards, pre- and post-flight briefings, and manage test events with a broad support team (pilots, engineering subject matter experts, senior FTEs, etc.).
Collaborate with SMEs and cross functional teams within the business line through development and production testing, reporting of test findings, and test status.
Adjudicate testing tasks and characterize issues, observations, and detail results.
Interface daily with hardware and software engineering teams.
Collect metrics and report on metrics that highlight product performance, progression, and maturity.