Deployed Flight Test Engineer
Quality Assurance
Alameda, CA, USA
USD 101k-125k / year + Equity
About Pyka
Pyka’s goal is to provide society with a new form of safe, clean, and cost-effective transportation enabled by autonomous electric aviation.
To get there, we’re taking a different approach than most. We're applying our technologies to every industry where autonomous electric aircraft can be useful, starting with the highest value and most dangerous jobs. In doing so, we're building game-changing products manufactured at scale, while perfecting the safety, reliability, and capabilities of our autonomy engine and electric propulsion systems.
We design, develop and manufacture an ecosystem of technologies including proprietary flight control software, avionics, high power density motors, motor controllers, batteries, and custom carbon-fiber composite airframes.
Today, we supply autonomous electric aircraft for cargo transport and crop protection to real-world customers across four separate continents and have secured industry-first regulatory approvals from the FAA. Our cargo aircraft enables remote connectivity, enhances express delivery networks, and ensures fast and reliable shipping of critical supplies to areas in need. Our crop protection aircraft offers agricultural services providers and farmers an autonomous tool to make aerial application safer, more precise, and less harmful to surrounding environments. Both vehicles are highly economical to operate, easy to deploy, and significantly reduce CO2 emissions in their respective industries.
What you work on at Pyka makes people’s lives better now and brings the future of electric aviation one step closer each day.
Role Overview
Pyka is looking for a deployed flight test engineer to support the development and commercial deployments of its advanced autonomous aircraft. You will set up the first missions of our planes in different locations abroad, and train and support our customers as they operate the aircraft. This is your opportunity to test, evaluate and deploy the aircraft of the future.
After a two month initial training in Dixon or Victoria Island, CA, you will spend most of your time (~50%) deployed at customer sites for periods of 3 to 5 weeks.
A typical deployment cycle in this role is:
Recurrent training and preparation at Pyka test facilities in Dixon or Victoria Island, CA - 1 week
Deployment abroad - 3 weeks
Vacation / time off - 3 weeks
This is a multidisciplinary role that interacts with internal and external organizations, so written and verbal communication skills are critical. You will be instrumental in ensuring the standardization of aircraft ground and flight operations and procedures, instructional techniques, as well as informing the evolution of the product itself.
An engineering degree is not required, although the candidate must be technically knowledgeable, preferably with experience with flight operations with either manned aircraft or UAVs.
Responsibilities
Travel to and participate in international commercial deployments (Central America, South America to start) to support flight testing, customer training and product support
Guarantee continuous operations at customer sites by identifying, troubleshooting and fixing any arising issues, with the remote help of Pyka’s engineering teams
Recommend new features, improvements, design changes, etc. to the design team
Conduct diverse fleet maintenance activities, involving the aircraft itself, ground infrastructure, laptops, and batteries
Assemble, prepare and fully test airframe airworthiness after shipment to customer sites
Serve as Pilot In Command or Ground Control Operator of experimental / developmental unmanned aircraft
Lead and/or participate in ground and flight test events as Test Conductor or Test Crew member
Manage complex logistics in support of flight operations
Preferred Qualifications
5-8 years of experience in the North American agricultural industry.
Stellar communication and presentation skills.
Experience with agricultural drone operations.
Knowledge of aerial application operations and competitor products.
Financially savvy and proven transaction negotiation skills
Strong understanding of value drivers for North American growers/farmers.
Expansive network within the North American agricultural market.
Independent and motivated self-starter.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ideally based in the Bay Area and willing to travel extensively.
We understand that candidates bring different strengths and experiences, and you don’t need to meet every qualification to be considered. If this role excites you, we’d love to learn more about you. You may be a great fit even if your background doesn’t align perfectly with the list.
Compensation & Benefits
$101,000–$125,000 expected total cash compensation per year (includes $81,000–$100,000 base salary + $20,000–$25,000 anticipated additional cash compensation) + equity. Compensation will vary depending on location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Salary ranges are subject to change.
Employer-sponsored health, dental and vision insurance
FSA with employer matching
401(k)
Paid holidays, generous PTO, and additional unpaid time off
Voluntary short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
Pre-tax commuter benefits
Free catered lunch and plenty of snacks
Export Control Requirements
This position requires access to technology, software and other information that is subject to governmental access control restrictions, due to export controls. Employment in this position is conditioned on the continued availability of government authorization to authorize release of such items, to the extent required, including without limitation an export license, or other documentation required to establish authorization to receive access to such items.
Company may delay commencement of employment, rescind an offer of employment, terminate employment, and/or may modify job responsibilities, compensation, benefits, and/or access to Company facilities and information systems, as Company deems appropriate, in order to ensure compliance with applicable government access control restrictions.
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We do not work with external recruiters; if you are an external recruiter, please do not reach out.