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.
