{"id":2109618,"url":"https://alion.io/job/grid-aero-flight-test-engineer","title":"Flight Test Engineer","company":{"id":3793447,"name":"Grid Aero ↗","domain":"grid.aero","url":"https://alion.io/company/grid-aero","size_band":"11-50","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Breezy","truth_index":null},"role":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":null,"employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["San Leandro, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":140000,"max":170000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":170000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Linux","optional":false},{"name":"MATLAB","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-08T20:24:12Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-08","last_verified_at":"2026-10-11T21:39:14Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":3,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":3},"description":"Job Title: Flight Test Engineer\nCompany: Grid.aero\nLocation: Onsite [San Leandro, CA] with travel to Merced, CA\nAbout Grid.aero\nGrid.aero is building the next generation of autonomous aviation systems for defense and commercial applications. Led by experienced aerospace and technology operators and backed by leading venture investors, we solve hard operational problems at the intersection of autonomy, resilient logistics, and scalable air mobility. We move quickly, operate with urgency, and build systems designed for real-world deployment where small teams own meaningful problems end-to-end.\nRead this, we mean it → Above all, we look for exceptional builders with deep internal drive, massive throughput, hopeless optimism, and a relentless growth mindset. The people who thrive at Grid operate with urgency, learn quickly, adapt fast, and are energized by hard problems with no obvious answers. We value individuals who continuously push themselves and the team around them to improve.\nThis is an opportunity to work on products with national and global impact alongside a collaborative team that values technical excellence, execution, and mission focus.\n\nRole Overview:\nWe are seeking a Flight Test Engineer to join our small but high-impact team. In this role, you will work in close collaboration with our CTO and own the execution, instrumentation, and analysis of flight test campaigns on our full scale and subscale UAVs.\nYou will serve as the bridge between software, hardware, autonomy, and operations - ensuring that every test flight produces high-quality data, validated performance insights, and actionable engineering feedback.\nAs an early hire in the flight test team, you’ll help establish Grid’s flight test processes, data validation standards, and safety protocols from the ground up. You’ll work closely with leadership and cross-functional engineering teams to ensure our systems are robust, reliable, and mission-ready.\nIf you're excited about building and testing real autonomous aircraft in a fast-moving startup environment, this role is for you.\n\nWhat You’ll Do:\nPlan and execute flight test campaigns, including test cards, safety reviews, and post-flight debriefs\nAct as a Test Director or Ground Control Station crew member for ground and flight tests, and related simulation rehearsals.\nOwn onboard and ground-based instrumentation setup for aircraft and support systems\nValidate autonomy, navigation, communication, and control system performance during live operations\nAnalyze flight logs and sensor data to identify system-level behaviors, anomalies, and improvement opportunities\nCollaborate with software, controls, and mechanical teams to close the loop between test results and design iteration\nEstablish structured flight test processes, documentation standards, and reporting frameworks\nTravel regularly to Merced, CA for flight operations and field testing (expenses covered)\nKey Qualifications:\nB.S. or M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field\nExperience supporting flight tests, robotics field testing, or complex system validation\nStrong experience with data analysis (Python, MATLAB, or similar tools)\nFamiliarity with telemetry systems, onboard instrumentation, and sensor integration\nUnderstanding of control systems, autonomy stacks, or robotic platforms\nComfort working with Linux-based systems and embedded platforms\nExperience in early-stage startups or fast-paced R&D environments\nInterest in autonomy, AI, and aviation (direct aviation experience is a plus, but not required)\nExperience with fixed-wing aircraft envelope expansion and performance testing is a plus.\nA degree or certificate from a Test Pilot School is a plus.\nCompensation: $140k -$170k / 0.2-0.3% Equity\n\nEqual Opportunity Employer:\nGrid.aero is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.\n\nLegal Notice:\nGrid.aero is committed to complying with U.S. export control laws. 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