Lead UAV Test Engineer (Systems/Mechatronics)

Department: Engineering

Location: Sausalito

Compensation: $110K – $220K • Offers Equity

Employment Type: FullTime

The Job:

Seneca is seeking a Lead Test Engineer to build the technical foundation of our UAV test program. This is a staff-level role focused on designing test plans, instrumenting vehicles, creating test infrastructure, and analyzing system-level performance across mechanical, electrical, and software domains.

You will operate as a multi-disciplinary systems test engineer—strong in mechatronics, comfortable debugging across domains, and able to turn ambiguous engineering questions into structured experiments. with enough breadth to collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software specialists, while owning system-level test execution end to end. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in fast-moving hardware environments and enjoys working across the full stack of UAV systems.

What You'll Do:

• Develop and own system-level test plans for ground and flight testing, with clear objectives, sequences, and success criteria.

• Design and maintain test infrastructure and instrumentation, ensuring vehicles and test setups capture high-quality, actionable data.

• Provide technical oversight of test execution, validating readiness, guiding pilots and operators, and ensuring procedural rigor.

• Analyze telemetry, logs, and performance data to characterize system behavior, identify root causes, and inform engineering decisions.

• Drive continuous improvement of test methods, documentation, workflows, and tools.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with hardware and software teams to align test activities with development needs and translate findings into design actions.

What You Bring:

• 5–10 years experience in UAV, robotics, aerospace, or electromechanical systems testing.

• Strong mechatronics intuition: able to debug mechanical, electrical, and software-integration issues at a system level.

• Experience designing structured experiments and test plans.

• Hands-on experience instrumenting complex systems and validating data quality.

• Ability to define requirements and prototype fixtures.

• Competence analyzing logs, telemetry, and multi-domain performance data.

• Comfortable working in both lab and field environments, including variable outdoor conditions.

• Basic CAD proficiency.

Nice to have:

• Passion for UAVs and aviation

• Exposure to PX4/ArduPilot, ROS, or similar robotics frameworks.

• Familiarity with reliability, accelerated life, or environmental testing.

• FAA Part 107 certification or willingness to obtain one.

Beyond technical skills, we value:

• Ownership mentality — take projects from idea to execution

• Balance of velocity and quality — Ability to operate calmly in fast-paced, experimental environments while maintaining high engineering standards and disciplined test execution

• Efficiency & follow-through — keeps test program unblocked and organized

• Iterative problem solving — breakdown complex problems, prototype, and refine

• Kindness and humility — thrive in collaborative, mission-driven cross-functional teams that value open communication.

What We Offer:

• Competitive Salary – Reflective of your skills and experience

• Equity Compensation – Be a part-owner in the company's future

• Comprehensive Health Coverage – Including medical, dental, and vision plans

• Health Savings Account (HSA) – Optional pre-tax savings for medical expenses

• Unlimited PTO – Flexible time off to recharge, plus paid company holidays

About Us
Seneca is eliminating the $1 trillion threat of wildfire across 500 million acres with AI-powered autonomous drone systems. Imagine a world where firefighters can respond to a blaze in under 6 minutes using autonomous suppression technology. That's the world Seneca is building. We’re combining the deep expertise of seasoned fire professionals with the innovation of billion-dollar technology builders to create advanced systems that save lives, property, and natural resources.

This is more than a job—it's a mission to transform safety across 500 million acres. Whatever your background, if you’re a builder, an innovator, or a problem-solver, you belong here.

Don’t meet every single requirement? If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply — you may still be the right fit for our team.