Senior Flight Test Engineer

As a Senior Flight Test Engineer at Pivotal, you will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing flight test activities to validate the performance, handling qualities, and safety of our UAS and crewed eVTOL aircraft. This includes developing detailed test plans and procedures, supporting ground and flight tests, and analyzing results to ensure accurate data capture and reporting. You work cross-functionally with engineering, flight operations, and certification teams to ensure all testing aligns with program milestones and regulatory requirements. A strong focus on safety, technical excellence, and continuous improvement is essential in this role as we progress toward certification and commercial operation.

Role Responsibilities

• Become a flight test leader and technical subject matter expert in novel eVTOL aircraft.
• Lead, coach and mentor Pivotal’s flight test efforts based on established experience and expertise.
• Immerse yourself in the design, test, operation, and maintenance of our aircraft
• Develop expertise with the technical aspects our aircraft systems and subsystems
• Strategize and collaborate planning between the flight test and engineering teams to develop and execute UAS and crewed flight testing.
• Some travel required.
• Analyze performance of aircraft electronics and other components for operational and reliability issues
• Troubleshoot and perform repairs and upgrades
• Suggest and/or implement design and process improvements
• Compile and document findings, results of tests, quality or safety concerns
• Keep aircraft fleet flight-ready.
• This position includes the opportunity to train to become a BlackFly pilot through our BlackFly training program.

Qualifications

• Passion for aviation and flight testing
• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Mechatronics Engineering
• 5+ years of flight testing experience with new and novel aircraft designs, configurations, and equipment
• Proven experience leading all aspects of flight testing projects from inception to completion
• Strong understanding of envelope expansion testing methods, flight test hazard and risk analysis, flight test engineering professional development, flight test telemetry methods and procedures.
• Strong understanding of Flight Testing and Aerospace Engineering fundamentals,
• Experience using rigorous scientific methods for testing and troubleshooting aircraft systems
• Proficient with flight test data analysis and flight test documentation
• Able to write technical flight testing documents in a clear and concise manner
• Proficient with solid-modeling CAD software (preferably CATIA) and 2D documentation
• Ability to travel to local test sites to support flight testing
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to effectively communicate with colleagues

Preferred Qualifications

• Long course (or equivalent) training from an SETP recognized test pilot school
• Experience with aircraft certification flight testing
• Experience with aircraft development for DoD
• FAA Part 107 certificate
• FAA private or commercial pilot certificate
• Class II or III FAA medical certificate
• Flight Test DER or ODA unit member
• Familiarity with electric propulsion batteries, motors, motor controllers
• Programming and coding experience (Matlab and/or Python)
• Advanced Google Sheet or MS Excel skills
• Familiarity with FAA Order 4040.26C and ARP 4754

Attributes aligned with Core Values

• Safety Above All: Demonstrates a proactive safety mindset by embedding safety into daily work, identifying and mitigating risks, encouraging open dialogue about safety concerns, and continuously improving practices and protocols.
• Customer Focus: Puts customers at the center of every action by understanding their challenges, delivering meaningful value, and supporting their success.
• Work Better Together: Seeks and values diverse perspectives, builds cross-functional relationships, and fosters trust through empathetic, fact-based communication and commitment to shared decisions.
• Be the Pilot: Drives results with clarity and purpose by focusing on what matters most, adapting to change, taking initiative, and owning outcomes.
• Embrace the Unknown: Navigates ambiguity with resilience and bold thinking, challenges the status quo, and combines innovative ideas with practical approaches to overcome obstacles and drive progress.
• Respect for People: Fosters a high-performance culture grounded in respect, professionalism, and support by balancing high expectations with a healthy, collaborative environment and being a trusted, dependable teammate.