We are seeking a Director of Flight Test Engineering to work closely with core engineering and operations teams on flight test campaigns for our revolutionary aircraft in Sunnyvale, CA. We’re looking for an engineer who is excited to execute flight test ‘firsts’ and to lay the foundation for enabling a safe and efficient flight test program.

The Director of Flight Test Engineering will help develop the test plans, write test cards, conduct flight readiness reviews and review hazard assessments, execute ground & flight tests, perform data analysis, write test reports and document test results, and troubleshoot issues. This position will help identify areas that need interdisciplinary coordination and develop the correct flight test processes. This position will also contribute to the development of the AFM and other documents by collaborating with multiple teams to provide pertinent information.

Responsibilities:

• Acquiring comprehensive knowledge of the airship’s systems
• Building and executing flight test campaigns and associated processes
• Generating system-level flight test procedures and deriving and tracking flight requirements
• Collaborating with engineers, flight test pilots, and the operations team to develop flight test plans and write flight test cards
• Planning, organizing, and executing flight test operations
• Leading daily flight test coordination and communication
• Coordinating with multiple teams in support of flight test objectives and risk hazard assessments
• Planning and coordinating the development of AFM/POH and training materials
• Maintaining a company-wide safety culture and development of CRM and emergency procedures training
• Mentoring and scoping tasks across teams in order to streamline the engineering and flight test programs.

• 10 years of experience in flight testing in a prototyping or agile operational environment
• Experience testing complex, software-centric, flight control, power management, and avionics systems
• Ability to work closely with engineering and other test personnel to design and execute complex tests and operations in a collaborative environment
• Experience with designing test instrumentation systems for ground and/or flight testing
• Experience in FAA certification test programs and thorough knowledge of FARs
• Familiarity with experimental aircraft airworthiness release process
• Proficiency in developing manuals and other documentation
• Proficiency in data analysis with MATLAB, Python, or other scripting tools
• A strong safety culture
• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in an applicable engineering field
• A strong aptitude to help define engineering tasks and prioritize them with program management

• Private pilot or higher rating
• Experience with first flight efforts of experimental aircraft
• Expertise in aerodynamics, aircraft performance, and/or digital flight controls
• Proficiency in human factors cockpit/display engineering
• Expertise with design concepts of mechanical, structural, and/or electrical (including high voltage) systems
• Proficiency with flight control software testing
• Proficiency in Solidworks or other 3D CAD programs
• Experience with version control (SVN, git, etc.) and/or PLM (ePDM, Teamcenter, Windchill, etc.) tools

• Relocation assistance
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance through a PPO plan (100% premium paid for individuals, ~70% for dependents)
• Company-paid life, AD&D, long-term disability, and short-term disability insurances
• Parental leave
• Generous PTO 10 paid holidays
• 401(k) matching up to 6%
• Lunch and snacks provided every day, including accommodations for all dietary restrictions
• Monthly wellness stipend
• Monthly cell phone stipend
• Yearly education stipend to obtain certifications or take classes in your field
• Mental health benefit
• Fun events, swag, and the occasional airship ride
• An opportunity to change the world and work with some of the smartest and the most talented experts from different fields

• Criminal background check clearance
• Drug test clearance wherever applicable

LTA Research & Exploration welcomes all candidates to apply including those with limited experience. We understand that candidates with a growth mindset and passion for working on the next chapter in aviation advancement can outweigh experience alone. We celebrate diverse origins and journeys and understand their importance in developing new technology. Rooted in our humanitarian mission, we want to serve the entire globe and have a team that represents those we wish to serve.

Lighter Than Air is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, veteran status or any other discriminatory factors prohibited by law.