Skyways7mo ago

Senior Flight Test Engineer

United States·AustinFull-timemid

OtherQA & TestingTest EngineerFlight Test Engineer

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Quick Summary

Overview

Skyways designs, builds, and operates fully autonomous long-range cargo aircraft. We have been flying real missions with real customers since 2017. Our V2 carries 30 lbs up to 500 miles and our V3 carries 100 lbs over 1,000 miles with 20+ hours of endurance.

Technical Tools

OtherQA & TestingTest EngineerFlight Test Engineer

Skyways designs, builds, and operates fully autonomous long-range cargo aircraft. Founded in 2017, the company has spent the last eight years developing and deploying autonomous logistics systems for real-world operations.

Our V2 aircraft carries 30 lbs up to 500 miles, while our next-generation V3 carries 100 lbs over 1,000+ miles with 20+ hours of endurance. Both use a hybrid-electric architecture that takes off like a helicopter and cruises like a plane, enabling long-range autonomous delivery without traditional runway infrastructure.

Today, Skyways aircraft operate across three continents in controlled national airspace under FAA oversight and in support of U.S. military operations. We are transitioning from prototype development to full-rate production and scaling toward large autonomous cargo fleets.

Backed by Y Combinator and a $37M AFWERX STRATFI award from the U.S. Air Force, Skyways is creating a new form of transportation to advance our civilization from Austin, Texas.

The Opportunity

As a Senior Flight Test Engineer, you’ll own the planning, execution, and analysis of flight tests that validate our aircraft’s performance, safety, and reliability. You’ll define test objectives, design methodologies, and work hands-on with aircraft and data systems to turn real-world results into engineering decisions.

This is a high-impact role that bridges engineering and operations. You’ll work closely with Systems, Software, GNC, and Flight Operations to scope test plans, coordinate execution, and interpret results — ensuring every test drives meaningful progress toward product readiness and certification.

Own flight test and validation strategy tied to aircraft certification

Translate requirements into test plans, procedures, and pass/fail criteria

Build and maintain traceability from requirements to test results

Mentor junior flight test engineers and set the standard for test rigor, safety, and data-driven decision-making across the team

Plan and execute flight tests with clear objectives tied to system validation

Determine what is tested in simulation, ground, and flight to maximize learning and efficiency

Analyze flight data and drive clear outcomes back to engineering teams

Partner with GNC, software, hardware, and systems to close issues and re-test

Generate test reports and artifacts required for certification and external stakeholders

Lead flight readiness reviews and call out when systems are not ready

5+ years in flight test on UAVs, aircraft, or similar complex systems, including ownership of test strategy and execution

Direct involvement in qualification, certification, or formal validation efforts

Strong systems understanding across hardware, software, and controls

Ability to design test strategies, not just execute predefined plans

Experience working in field environments and running live test operations

Comfortable making real-time decisions during test and pushing back when needed

FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.

Experience with PX4, ArduPilot, or custom flight stacks.

Experience with FAA, DoD, or other certification / qualification processes

Background in GNC, systems engineering, or flight sciences

Experience with autonomous systems and validation of autonomy behaviors

Experience building test infrastructure (HIL, SIL, ground test setups)

Has taken a vehicle or system from prototype through qualification

Due to U.S. government contract requirements, this role is limited to U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or candidates from specific countries authorized under applicable export control regulations.

Skyways is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other factor protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.