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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 building the future of autonomous logistics aviation 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.
What You’ll Do:
- 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
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
What You’ll Bring:
Experience with flight test on UAVs, aircraft, or similar complex systems
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
Bonus Points If You Have:
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
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