Flight Test Engineer

Sceye, Inc.

$90K — $120K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering, or physical science related to lab work
  • 5+ years in aerospace ground and/or flight testing
  • Experience with integrated ground and flight testing processes
  • Skilled in maintaining test documentation
  • Strong communication for both technical and non-technical audiences
  • Understanding of hazard analyses and risk mitigations
  • Experience with data analysis through scripting tools

Responsibilities

  • Plan, execute, and document tests for High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS)
  • Develop test plans, procedures, and safety assessments
  • Conduct Test Readiness Reviews and Safety Review Boards
  • Analyze and summarize flight test data for compliance documentation
  • Assist with mission planning and resource coordination
  • Support safe execution of test missions following FAA standards
  • Collaborate with engineers to define test objectives

Benefits

  • Fresh, onsite meals provided by a chef
  • Variety of snacks and refreshments available
  • Access to gym, pickleball court, and dog kennel
  • Dog-friendly workplace environment
  • Comprehensive health insurance with significant premium coverage
  • 401(k) plan with employer match
  • Inclusive company culture focused on collaboration and innovation
Full Job Description
Flight Test Engineer Location: Moriarty, NM Reports to: Chief of Mission Operations About the Position: Sceye is currently seeking a full-time Flight Test Engineer to join the Mission Operations Team. As Sceye expands, more test engineers are needed to perform Acceptance Testing of Sceye's High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) at the same time as actually flying HAPS that are already airborne. You will be responsible for overseeing the planning, execution, and data delivery of ground testing prior to flight tests as well as helping with the planning and safe execution of flight tests themselves. You will be expected to work across multiple teams as a cross-functional member of Sceye and be able to help identify hardware, software, and operational/procedural issues as they arise, as well as test and report on fixes to said issues. Additionally, you will be expected to help with mission planning and data analysis after flight tests/missions. You will be in a fast-paced environment, ensuring our systems meet the highest standards of performance, safety, and reliability. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. About the Position: • Test Design & Execution • Plan, execute, and document integrated ground and flight tests for Sceye's High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS). • Develop detailed test plans, procedures, test cards, and safety/hazard assessments. • Conduct Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs) and Safety Review Boards (SRBs) to verify readiness for operations. • Execute stability and control, performance, and system-level tests across vehicle subsystems (powerplant, avionics, mechanical, electrical, etc.). • Provide real-time judgment on test acceptability and post-test pass/fail assessments. • Data Analysis & Reporting • Process, analyze, and summarize ground and flight test data to support requirement verification and compliance documentation. • Generate post-test summaries, flight test reports, and detailed analysis packages for stakeholders. • Collaborate with system engineers to interpret results and identify hardware, software, or procedural improvements. • Mission Planning & Operations • Assist with mission planning for concurrent HAPS flight and acceptance test operations. • Coordinate test resources, vehicle configuration verification, and operational readiness. • Conduct pre-flight briefings, real-time monitoring during operations, and post-flight debriefs. • Support safe and compliant execution of test missions under FAA and internal safety standards. • System Integration & Cross-Functional Collaboration • Work closely with vehicle, avionics, and systems engineering teams to define test objectives and instrumentation needs. • Identify and troubleshoot system-level issues across hardware, software, and operational interfaces. • Support design and construction of test fixtures and sub-scale demonstrators as required. • Automation & Continuous Improvement • Support data-reduction automation through scripting and computational tools. • Assist in streamlining test workflows, documentation, and data handling pipelines. • Propose and implement process improvements to enhance test repeatability, traceability, and safety. What We're Looking For: • Required: • Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering, or a physical science with an emphasis on collaborative lab work/research projects. • 5+ years of professional experience in aerospace ground and/or flight testing. • Demonstrated success planning, executing, and closing out integrated ground and flight tests. • Experience developing and maintaining test documentation (plans, procedures, reports, summaries). • Strong communication and presentation skills for technical and non-technical audiences. • Familiarity with standard hazard analyses and risk mitigation matrices. • Experience with data analysis or reduction through scripting or programming tools. • Ability to lead small test teams (3-10 people) effectively in fast-paced environments. • Positive, adaptable, and detail-oriented approach to problem-solving in multi-disciplinary teams. • Ability to document test results and generate post-test summaries and distribute data and information to different teams effectively. • Preferred / Nice to Have: • Hands-on experience with HAPS, UAVs, or large-scale flight test campaigns. • Familiarity with systems engineering, requirements verification, and requirement-to-test mapping. • Experience working with telemetry, ground control systems, or real-time data monitoring. • Knowledge of scripting or automation tools (Python, MATLAB, etc.) for test data processing. • Prior experience preparing and presenting at formal Test Readiness and Safety Review Boards • Desired Soft Skills: • Excellent organizational and analytical abilities. • Clear, confident communicator with cross-team collaboration skills. • Self-motivated and capable of managing multiple priorities concurrently. • Meticulous attention to detail in test documentation and data traceability. • Proactive problem-solver. • Willingness to take ownership and drive continuous improvements. What We Offer: At Sceye, we're building more than high-altitude platforms-we're building a workplace where people (and their pups) thrive. Here's what you'll enjoy: • Chef-Prepared Lunches - Fresh, onsite meals to keep you fueled and focused. • Snacks & Refreshments - Enjoy a variety of snacks and drinks available throughout the day. • Wellness Perks - Access to a gym, pickleball court, and an outdoor dog kennel. • Dog-Friendly Environment - Bring your four-legged friends to work and enjoy a pet-welcoming space. • Comprehensive Health Coverage - Medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance, with over 82% of premiums covered-and 100% for everything else. • 401(k) with Match - Company contributions that are yours from day one. • High-Performance Culture - Join a collaborative, inclusive environment where your work helps shape the future of aerospace.

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