Senior Flight Test Engineer

Salary Range: 135000 to 170000 (Currency: USD) (Pay period: per-year-salary)

Role Responsibilities

• Become a flight test leader and technical subject matter expert in novel eVTOL aircraft.
• Lead, coach and mentor Pivotal’s flight test efforts based on established experience and expertise.
• Immerse yourself in the design, test, operation, and maintenance of our aircraft
• Develop expertise with the technical aspects our aircraft systems and subsystems
• Strategize and collaborate planning between the flight test and engineering teams to develop and execute UAS and crewed flight testing.
• Some travel required. 
• Analyze performance of aircraft electronics and other components for operational and reliability issues
• Troubleshoot and perform repairs and upgrades
• Suggest and/or implement design and process improvements
• Compile and document findings, results of tests, quality or safety concerns
• Keep aircraft fleet flight-ready.
• This position includes the opportunity to train to become a BlackFly pilot through our BlackFly training program. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Passion for aviation and flight testing
• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Mechatronics Engineering
• 5+ years of flight testing experience with new and novel aircraft designs, configurations, and equipment
• Proven experience leading all aspects of flight testing projects from inception to completion
• Strong understanding of envelope expansion testing methods, flight test hazard and risk analysis, flight test engineering professional development, flight test telemetry methods and procedures. 
• Strong understanding of Flight Testing and Aerospace Engineering fundamentals,
• Experience using rigorous scientific methods for testing and troubleshooting aircraft systems
• Proficient with flight test data analysis and flight test documentation
• Able to write technical flight testing documents in a clear and concise manner
• Proficient with solid-modeling CAD software (preferably CATIA) and 2D documentation
• Ability to travel to local test sites to support flight testing
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to effectively communicate with colleagues

Preferred Qualifications

• Long course (or equivalent) training from an SETP recognized test pilot school 
• Experience with aircraft certification flight testing
• Experience with aircraft development for DoD
• FAA Part 107 certificate
• FAA private or commercial pilot certificate
• Class II or III FAA medical certificate
• Flight Test DER or ODA unit member
• Familiarity with electric propulsion batteries, motors, motor controllers
• Programming and coding experience (Matlab and/or Python)
• Advanced Google Sheet or MS Excel skills
• Familiarity with FAA Order 4040.26C and ARP 4754

Attributes aligned with Core Values

• Demonstrates a proactive safety mindset by embedding safety into daily operations, identifying and mitigating risks through assessments and training, encouraging open dialogue on safety concerns, and continuously improving protocols to ensure a safe work environment.
• Puts customers at the center of every action by deeply understanding their challenges, delivering exceptional value, and striving to exceed expectations to support their success as our core purpose.
• Actively seeks and values diverse stakeholder perspectives, builds cross-functional relationships, and fosters trust through empathetic, fact-based communication—committing to shared decisions for the greater good.
• Drives results with clarity and purpose by focusing on what matters most, adapting to change, taking initiative, and owning outcomes while aligning actions with a clear understanding of success at every level.
• Navigates ambiguity with resilience and bold thinking, challenges the status quo, and combines innovative ideas with practical best practices to overcome obstacles and drive progress.
• Fosters a high-performance culture grounded in respect, professionalism, and support—balancing high expectations with a healthy, collaborative environment and being a trusted, dependable teammate.