Flight Test Operator Jobs

Flight Test Operator

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century's most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years. The Maneuver Dominance team at Anduril develops operationally relevant, multi-asset autonomy. We are focused on building the next generation of autonomous capabilities by leveraging existing Anduril platforms like Ghost or Altius, bringing 3rd party platforms into Anduril's Lattice ecosystem, and developing breakthrough systems that will shape the future of the battlefield. If you are interested in working in an extremely innovative and fast paced environment, where your work directly makes an impact and difference in the products that are fielded this a fantastic opportunity. As a Flight Test Operator you will be at the forefront of operating Anduril advanced fleet of Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS). This critical role demands not only exceptional piloting skills but also a deep technical understanding and a meticulous approach to regulatory compliance. You will be responsible for planning, executing, and certifying complex UAS missions, primarily within the Specific Category, and will be instrumental in pushing the boundaries of Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. Operating in an extremely innovative and fast-paced environment, your expertise in flight operations, technical systems, and risk management will directly impact the development and deployment of cutting-edge defense technology.

What You'll Do

• Plan, prepare, and execute UAS missions, including those within challenging VLOS and BVLOS scenarios, ensuring full compliance with mission objectives and regulatory requirements.
• Act as Safety Pilot, conducting manual flight operations with fixed wing and FW VTOL UAS in challenging and complex multi-UAS operations.
• Conduct pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight checks and diagnostics on UAS platforms and associated ground control systems.
• Operate and troubleshoot various UAS systems, demonstrating advanced proficiency with Pixhawk and Cube Orange Flight Controllers, including configuration, firmware and parameter management, and mission planning using relevant ground control station software.
• Develop and implement mission-specific risk assessments, meticulously applying Department of Defense Standard Practice System Safety (MIL-STD-882E) principles to ensure the safe and compliant execution of operations.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive flight logs, technical records, incident reports, and other required documentation in accordance with regulatory and company procedures.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, flight test, and project teams to provide feedback on UAS performance, identify areas for improvement, and integrate new technologies and operational procedures.
• Ensure strict adherence to all FAA regulations for UAS operations, particularly within the FAA Part 107 framework.
• Provide technical support and potentially undertake basic field maintenance or fault rectification on UAS platforms, ensuring operational readiness.
• Actively contribute to the development of safe systems of work for UAS operations, promoting a robust safety culture and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Mentor and potentially train less experienced operators, fostering a high standard of operational excellence and safety awareness.

Required Qualifications

• Hold a valid Part 61 and Part 107 pilot license.
• Significant experience of manual UAS or RC aircraft operations on FW and FW VTOL airframes.
• Demonstrable and significant experience in planning and executing UAS operations.
• Thorough understanding and practical application of FAA Part 107 operations, including the development of Operational Safety Cases and the process for obtaining operational authorizations.
• Expert-level technical proficiency with Pixhawk and Cube Orange Flight Controllers, including hands-on experience in their integration, setup, configuration, advanced troubleshooting, and operation.
• An understanding of aviation paperwork and a meticulous approach to documentation and record-keeping.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to make critical decisions under pressure.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, capable of working effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends, and travel extensively to support field operations (potentially greater than 50% of the time).
• Valid driver's license.
• Must be able to obtain and hold a U.S. security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Instrument and Commercial Rating.
• 5+ years of developmental test experience.
• 5+ years RC flying experience.
• Experience with Fixed Wing VTOL UAS Operations and with multiple-air vehicle operations.
• 5 years' experience as Manual Safety Pilot for FW/MR UAS.
• Strong understanding of rotary and fixed wing UAS aerodynamics, flight dynamics, and system architectures.
• Experience with other UAS flight controllers, ground control stations, or payloads (e.g., LiDAR, advanced EO/IR sensors).
• Background in aviation maintenance, electronics, or robotics.
• Experience operating UAS in challenging environments (e.g., maritime, mountainous, urban).
• Technical qualification (e.g., HNC/HND, apprenticeship) in electronics, avionics, mechanical engineering, or a related field.