Senior Flight Test Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Skyways designs, builds, and operates fully autonomous long-range cargo aircraft. Founded in 2017, the company has spent the last eight years developing and deploying autonomous logistics systems for real-world operations.

Our V2 aircraft carries 30 lbs up to 500 miles, while our next-generation V3 carries 100 lbs over 1,000+ miles with 20+ hours of endurance. Both use a hybrid-electric architecture that takes off like a helicopter and cruises like a plane, enabling long-range autonomous delivery without traditional runway infrastructure.

Today, Skyways aircraft operate across three continents in controlled national airspace under FAA oversight and in support of U.S. military operations. We are transitioning from prototype development to full-rate production and scaling toward large autonomous cargo fleets.

Backed by Y Combinator and a $37M AFWERX STRATFI award from the U.S. Air Force, Skyways is creating a new form of transportation to advance our civilization from Austin, Texas.

The Opportunity

As a Senior Flight Test Engineer, you’ll own the planning, execution, and analysis of flight tests that validate our aircraft’s performance, safety, and reliability. You’ll define test objectives, design methodologies, and work hands-on with aircraft and data systems to turn real-world results into engineering decisions.

This is a high-impact role that bridges engineering and operations. You’ll work closely with Systems, Software, GNC, and Flight Operations to scope test plans, coordinate execution, and interpret results — ensuring every test drives meaningful progress toward product readiness and certification.

What You’ll Do:

• Own flight test and validation strategy tied to aircraft certification

• Translate requirements into test plans, procedures, and pass/fail criteria

• Build and maintain traceability from requirements to test results

• Mentor junior flight test engineers and set the standard for test rigor, safety, and data-driven decision-making across the team

• Plan and execute flight tests with clear objectives tied to system validation

• Determine what is tested in simulation, ground, and flight to maximize learning and efficiency

• Analyze flight data and drive clear outcomes back to engineering teams

• Partner with GNC, software, hardware, and systems to close issues and re-test

• Generate test reports and artifacts required for certification and external stakeholders

• Lead flight readiness reviews and call out when systems are not ready

What You’ll Bring:

• 5+ years in flight test on UAVs, aircraft, or similar complex systems, including ownership of test strategy and execution

• Direct involvement in qualification, certification, or formal validation efforts

• Strong systems understanding across hardware, software, and controls

• Ability to design test strategies, not just execute predefined plans

• Experience working in field environments and running live test operations

• Comfortable making real-time decisions during test and pushing back when needed

Bonus Points If You Have:

• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.

• Experience with PX4, ArduPilot, or custom flight stacks.

• Experience with FAA, DoD, or other certification / qualification processes

• Background in GNC, systems engineering, or flight sciences

• Experience with autonomous systems and validation of autonomy behaviors

• Experience building test infrastructure (HIL, SIL, ground test setups)

• Has taken a vehicle or system from prototype through qualification

Want to join our mission? Apply to learn more!

Due to U.S. government contract requirements, this role is limited to U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or candidates from specific countries authorized under applicable export control regulations.

Skyways is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other factor protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.