Senior Manager, Flight Test

Pivotal is the leader in the emerging market of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. We design, develop, and manufacture light eVTOL aircraft and are renowned for the BlackFly aircraft the world's first light eVTOL to fly manned missions and enter the consumer market.


Efficient, compact, and simple, Pivotal aircraft are designed for a wide range of consumer, public service, and defense applications. Our distinctive tilt-aircraft architecture and scalable platform have been flying for over 10 years. Last year we announced our next-generation aircraft, the Helix, which is rapidly progressing toward general release and scalable production in 2026.


Mobility is one of the most highly-valued areas of modern technology investments. This is the right company, in the right space, the right strategy, at the right time. If you are ready for adventure, we invite you to join our amazing team and grow with us.

Responsibilities

• Team Leadership: Oversee the flight test team, which includes operations and engineering personnel
• Test Deployment: Design and improve test deployment strategies, ensuring efficient execution and comprehensive reporting of results
• Plan Design and Review: Take charge of designing and reviewing test plans for Mechanical and Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) systems
• Data Analysis: Perform in-depth analysis of flight data to identify and address anomalies, root causes, and bugs
• Plan Execution: Design and execute test plans, including helix tests and future aircraft architecture tests
• Fleet Management: Contribute to the design of fleet management practices to ensure efficient operation of the aircraft fleet
• Risk Assessment: Complete and manage operational risk assessments for both unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and manned flight operations
• Tool & KPI Development: Create tools to visualize flight data and aid in root cause analysis, speeding up bug resolution processes
• Flight Testing: Conduct flight and handling qualities testing of experimental hardware and software configurations, potentially serving as a crewed test pilot
• Mentorship: Mentor other engineers and flight crew members, sharing expertise and best practices
• Industry Best Practices: Implement best practices from the industry to mature the flight organization and improve efficiency and safety
• Regulatory Compliance: Manage, maintain, and ensure compliance with UAS Certificate of Authorization (COA), Special Airworthiness Certificates (SAC-EC), and other relevant certifications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field. Advanced degrees or certifications may be preferred
• Extensive experience in flight testing with a strong understanding of flight test methodologies and procedures
• Experience in leadership roles, managing teams and projects effectively
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and techniques for interpreting flight data
• Knowledge of aviation regulations and compliance requirements for UAS operations
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, for effective collaboration with team members and stakeholders
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to innovate and adapt in dynamic environments
• Experience with mentoring and coaching to develop the skills of junior team members
• Familiarity with industry standards and best practices in flight testing and aircraft development

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.

Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States and willing to work onsite at our HQ office in Palo Alto, CA.

Pivotal offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and 401k plans.

Pivotal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pivotal does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. 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.