Senior Manager, Flight Test

Team: Flight Operations

Location: Palo Alto, CA

Commitment: Full-time (Exempt)

Workplace Type: onsite

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.