Full-Time

Flight Test Engineer

Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc.

Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc.

51-200 employees

Aerospace design and electric aircraft development

Compensation Overview

$90k - $120k/yr

No H1B Sponsorship

San Luis Obispo, CA, USA

In Person

Fully on-site at ESAero in San Luis Obispo, California.

Bachelor's, Master's

Category
QA & Testing (1)
Required Skills
Microsoft Office
Computer Networking
MATLAB
Risk Management
SolidWorks
FEM/FEA

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Requirements
  • A bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent.
  • Two to five years of relevant engineering experience.
  • Hands-on experience in a testing environment.
  • Experience with power distribution systems theory, design, testing, or analysis.
  • Experience with electric motor and controller/inverter theory, design, testing, or analysis.
  • Ability to work with high voltage above 500 volts.
  • Understanding of structures, mechanisms, system layout, materials, and processes.
  • Experience with data collection and reduction software, including LabVIEW and MATLAB.
  • Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  • Experience with SolidWorks and SolidWorks PDM or similar software.
  • Experience with structural or thermal analysis of structures and systems.
  • United States citizenship is required.
Responsibilities
  • Provide testing and flight-testing support for company projects.
  • Develop and maintain high-quality testing documentation.
  • Represent testing interests when collaborating with project teams.
  • Work with design engineers to develop engineering test strategies and specific test procedures for new and existing products.
  • Collaborate with assembly and engineering personnel to test prototype units and ensure proper execution and documentation.
  • Work with field service personnel and engineers to create test procedures addressing specific product issues observed in the field.
  • Act as an engineering interface to resolve production test issues.
  • Train personnel in proper testing techniques.
  • Look for improvements throughout the testing process to reduce costs or improve test coverage.
  • Support the creation of system requirements, trade studies, sub-component, and flight test plans.
  • Coordinate with suppliers and internal and external integrated product teams.
  • Provide manufacturing, component test, and ground/flight test support.
  • Investigate and determine the root cause of component failures and recommend corrective actions.
  • Develop engineering drawings, schematics, and design specifications.
  • Ensure circuit protection, isolation, redundancy, and fault tolerance for flight systems.
  • Present results through technical drawings, written reports, and oral presentations to customers and senior project management.
Desired Qualifications
  • A master's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering or equivalent and/or five or more years of experience.
  • Familiarity with electronics testing.
  • Experience with digital communication protocols such as SPI, Ethernet, and CAN bus.
  • Experience in unmanned aerial system design.
  • Familiarity with military standards for aircraft design and electromagnetic compatibility.
  • Experience with metallic and composite design and analysis.
  • Experience with design for manufacturing and advanced manufacturing processes.
  • Hands-on experience working with machine shops, integrating prototype designs, and conducting validation tests.
  • Experience with supplier management and procurement, including statements of work, requests for proposals, and vendor management.
  • Familiarity with risk management.
  • Ability to work on Department of Defense projects.
Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc.

Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc.

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ESAero designs and manufactures aerospace systems, focusing on cost-effective development of advanced concepts such as electric and hybrid propulsion, aircraft modifications, sub-scale demonstrators, and rapid prototyping. It delivers end-to-end development by serving as Prime Contractor and Integrator, handling design, analysis, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing, and has led programs like NASA’s X-57 Maxwell. The company differentiates itself with hands-on, rapid system development, customized project plans, and an on-demand niche engineering team that emphasizes quality, cost, and schedule. Its goal is to help aviation and aerospace customers advance electric and other propulsion technologies while delivering reliable results on time and within budget.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

Acquired

Total Funding

$40M

Headquarters

null

Founded

2003

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Amprius selected ESAero for SA08 batteries in October 2025, validating platform traction.
  • Red Cat partnered with ESAero on Black Widow production in May 2025.
  • AeroVironment expects ESAero to boost EBITDA within one year after closing.

What critics are saying

  • ESAero no longer exists independently after AeroVironment’s March 2026 acquisition.
  • Defense demand concentration exposes ESAero to Pentagon program delays and procurement shifts.
  • Integration with AeroVironment can disrupt engineering talent and customer relationships through 2026.

What makes Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. unique

  • AeroVironment bought ESAero on March 16, 2026, for $200 million.
  • ESAero’s AS9100-certified San Luis Obispo plant spans 130,000 square feet.
  • ESAero combines rapid prototyping, testing, and serialized production for UAS and AAM.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Paid Vacation

Paid Holidays

Life Insurance

Supplemental Coverage

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

2%

1 year growth

2%

2 year growth

2%
Defense Daily
Mar 16th, 2026
AeroVironment Expands Manufacturing Capacity, UAS Products, With ESAero Acquisition - Defense Daily

AeroVironment on Monday said it has acquired Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. (ESAero) in a $200 million deal that adds manufacturing, design and

Business Wire
Oct 14th, 2025
Amprius' High-Power Silicon Batteries Selected by ESAero to Power Next-Generation UAVs

Amprius' high-power silicon batteries selected by ESAero to power next-generation UAVs. Amprius' SiCore(R) SA08 cell provides longer flights and increased payload capacity for UAV platforms FREMONT, Calif.-(BUSINESS WIRE)-Amprius Technologies, Inc. ("Amprius" or the "Company") (NYSE: AMPX), a leader in next-generation lithium-ion batteries with its Silicon Anode Platform, today announced Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. (ESAero), a leading producer of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) platforms, chose the Amprius SiCore(R) SA08 cell for integration into battery packs powering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) supporting defense, security, logistics, and public safety applications. Amprius' high-power cell was selected by ESAero for its ability to significantly increase flight times and payload capacity, which are essential for UAV platforms operating in demanding environments. The SA08 cell is available in volume today, allowing ESAero to accelerate the development and integration of Amprius' cells into its UAVs. "Amprius offered the best combination of advanced battery technology, production readiness, and cost competitiveness to meet the demands of this program," said Andrew Gibson, CEO and President of ESAero. "Their silicon anode cells deliver the performance and reliability needed to accelerate our path from development to production while setting a new benchmark for what our battery packs can achieve for both our in-house and customer platforms. Amprius' cells have enabled ESAero to create and maintain industry leading Group I and Group II UAV endurance." "This collaboration highlights the momentum Amprius is building across the UAV space," said Dr. Kang Sun, CEO of Amprius Technologies. "By growing our production capacity through strategic partnerships, we're delivering customers high-performance silicon anode cells at scale and at a competitive price. This allows companies like ESAero to develop more capable battery packs for aircraft, flying farther, carrying more, and operating more efficiently in the field." Amprius' SiCore(R) SA08 battery cells have successfully completed formal qualification and are now integrated into ESAero's products. Building on this success, Amprius is gaining additional traction with other UAV partners, further solidifying its position as a leading solution for next-generation electric aviation platforms. For more information, please visit the Amprius investor relations website at ir.amprius.com. Amprius Technologies, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of high-energy and high-power lithium-ion batteries, producing the industry's highest-known energy density cells. The Company's commercially available SiCore(R) and SiMaxx(TM) batteries deliver up to 450 Wh/kg and 1,150 Wh/L, with third-party validation of 500Wh/kg and 1,300 Wh/L. The Company's corporate headquarters is in Fremont, California, where it maintains an R&D lab and a MWh scale manufacturing facility for the fabrication of silicon anodes and cells. To serve customer demand, Amprius entered into several agreements to secure over 1.8 GWh of contract manufacturing capacity. For additional information, please visit amprius.com. Also, see the Company's LinkedIn page. About Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. (ESAero) ESAero produces Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and advanced aerospace technologies for commercial and military applications. As an established leader in the field, ESAero has been demonstrating for decades its core competencies designing and manufacturing innovative, reliable, and scalable aircraft systems, including power and battery management systems. Based in San Luis Obispo, California, ESAero provides vertically integrated AS9100 certified services in R&D, engineering, design for manufacturing, rapid prototyping, testing, and serialized production expanding in the thousands. With over 130,000 sq. ft., ESAero has the capacity, capability, and facilities to scale and accelerate manufacturing to support its partners and customers. For additional information, please visit www.esaero.com. This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "estimate," "plan," "project," "forecast," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "seek," "will" or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the performance of Amprius' products, the availability of Amprius' products, the ability of Amprius to gain traction with additional UAV partners, the manufacturing capacity that Amprius is able to provide under the support of its contract manufacturers, and the benefits of Amprius' products to its customers. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of Amprius' management and are not predictions of actual performance. Actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including Amprius' liquidity position; risks related to the rollout of Amprius' business and the timing of expected business milestones; the capacity and stability of Amprius' contract manufacturers; the ability of Amprius and its contract manufacturers to commercially produce high performing batteries; the effects of competition on Amprius' business; supply shortages in the materials necessary for the production of Amprius' products; and changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions. More information on these risks and uncertainties that may impact the operations and projections discussed herein can be found in the documents we filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), all of which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. There may be additional risks that Amprius does not presently know or that Amprius currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect Amprius' expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Amprius' assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, Amprius specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements. Media Zach Kadletz, Brenlyn Motlagh Gateway Group, Inc. 949-574-3860 [email protected] FREMONT, Calif.-( BUSINESS WIRE )-Amprius Technologies, Inc. ("Amprius" or the "Company") (NYSE: AMPX), a leader in next-generation lithium-ion batteries with its Silicon Anode Platform, today announced the appointment of Ricardo C. Rodriguez as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective immediately. As part of a planned transition and as previously disclosed, prior Company CFO Sandra Wallach is retiring and will support the Company in the short term. Rodriguez brings more than two decades of lea... FREMONT, Calif.-( BUSINESS WIRE )-Amprius Technologies, Inc. ("Amprius" or the "Company") (NYSE: AMPX), a leader in next-generation lithium-ion batteries with its Silicon Anode Platform, today announced its schedule for October appearances and activities. The Battery Show North America and Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo Date: October 6-9, 2025 Location: Huntington Place; Detroit, MI Event Details: Amprius President Tom Stepien will participate in two panel discussions during the ev... FREMONT, Calif.-( BUSINESS WIRE )-Amprius Technologies, Inc. ("Amprius" or the "Company") (NYSE: AMPX), a leader in next-generation lithium-ion batteries with its Silicon Anode Platform, today announced it has secured a purchase order totaling over $35 million for its SiCore(R) cells from a leading Unmanned Aerial Systems ("UAS") manufacturer. This follows a $15 million purchase order placed in February 2025, underscoring the accelerating adoption of Amprius' high energy density batteries. Produc...

IoT World Today
Sep 15th, 2023
Drone Tech Fast-Tracked With Red Cat, ESAero Partnership Drone Tech Fast-Tracked With Red Cat, ESAero Partnership

Red Cat is partnering with aerospace engineering firm ESAero to help with "fast-tracked, customer-specific" products.

MarketScreener
Sep 12th, 2023
Red Cat Holdings, Inc. Announces Development Partnership with Aerospace Engineering Firm Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc

Red Cat Holdings, Inc. announces development partnership with aerospace engineering firm empirical systems aerospace, Inc.