Senior Flight Test Engineer

Senior Flight Test Engineer @ Firestorm

At Firestorm, we’re on a mission to revolutionize how defense solutions are designed and delivered. Our goal is to empower U.S. ally nations to effectively deter aggressors—regardless of their defense budget—through innovative, cost‑efficient technologies. We call this vision “democratized deterrence.” As a VC‑backed company at the intersection of defense and Silicon Valley, we’re pioneering the development of mission‑adaptable aerial vehicles that put power back into the hands of operators.

By prioritizing operator effectiveness, we’re pioneering a new era of aerial vehicle design. We aim to upend the traditional defense procurement model by delivering world‑class capabilities at a fraction of the usual cost. Join us at Firestorm as we redefine defense procurement, making cutting‑edge technology accessible to all at a fraction of the cost.

Firestorm Labs is seeking an experienced Senior Flight Test Engineer to join our Flight Test Team. We are advancing flight control and automation technology through rigorous and continuous flight testing. As a Senior Flight Test Engineer, you will play a key role in validating and maturing Firestorm’s UAV platforms across a wide range of mission profiles and test environments. In this role, you will lead the design and execution of detailed flight test plans and ground tests, prioritize flight safety at every stage, and work directly with our flight test team, autonomy engineers and aircraft integration teams.

You’ll provide technical guidance in the integration of test objectives, instrumentation and data systems.

This position is ideal for a highly capable engineer who thrives in complex test environments, understands both systems‑level design and hands‑on execution, and is eager to shape the next generation of uncrewed aerial vehicles. You’ll act as a test conductor during flights, run test readiness and debriefs, and generate technical artifacts that support internal development and customer deliverables.

• Lead and execute developmental flight testing using sub‑scale and full‑scale UAVs in dynamic environments
• Design, execute, and document environmental stress testing, including vibration, shock, thermal, moisture/ingress, and fatigue
• Create and refine detailed flight test plans, test cards, and safety procedures for both engineering and production aircraft
• Serve as test conductor during flight events, leading briefs, managing Go/No‑Go criteria, and ensuring test discipline
• Plan, organize, and lead ground tests to support system validation, including risk assessments and readiness reviews
• Analyze test data using techniques such as Design of Experiments (DOE), regression analysis, etc. to drive engineering decisions
• Build custom test setups, fixtures, and data acquisition tools for controlled, repeatable validation campaigns
• Research, source, and operate flight instrumentation; ensure calibration and signal integrity for flight‑critical data
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams including autonomy, software, hardware engineers and product leads, to define test requirements
• Analyze post‑flight data using tools like MATLAB, Simulink, or Python‑based tools; identify trends, anomalies, and performance gaps
• Track and document flight squawks, ensuring proper resolution and traceability
• Ensure test instrumentation and sensor integration are safe for flight and meet system design intent
• Conduct thorough technical risk assessments and ensure compliance with FAA and internal safety regulations
• Document test results, root cause analyses, and corrective actions; communicate findings to both internal and external stakeholders
• Contribute to the standardization of test documentation, tools, and processes across programs.
• Coordinate with private and government test ranges to conduct flight testing and obtain appropriate regulatory approvals

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Robotics, or a related field; may substitute equivalent hands‑on experience in lieu of a degree
• Minimum 5 years of experience as a flight test engineer, with a strong emphasis on autonomous, or remotely piloted…