Flight Test Engineer (Drone as First Responder)

As Flock rapidly expands our Drone as First Responder programs, ensuring the hardware and software integrations for our aircraft perform with absolute reliability is critical to real-time operations. Building out cutting-edge airborne technology requires rigorous technical testing, field evaluation, and rapid iteration under real-world conditions. You will own hardware testing, pilot test flights, and validate new components so our DFR systems perform seamlessly when timing matters most.

What You'll Own

• Lead technical flight testing and evaluation for DFR aircraft, hardware integrations, and system components.

• Serve as Pilot in Command during outdoor flight operations, evaluating system behavior and performance across diverse conditions.

• Write and modify custom test scripts using Python and terminal interfaces to extract data and analyze flight behavior.

• Conduct root-cause troubleshooting on physical and software discrepancies encountered during bench testing and field missions.

• Document flight data, generate technical test write-ups, and communicate actionable findings to engineering stakeholders.

What This Role is Not

• This isn't a pure bench-research or lab-only role; you'll be outdoors testing hardware and flying aircraft over 70% of the time.

• This is not a purely administrative piloting position; you'll actively debug custom software, write testing scripts, and integrate hardware.

• This isn't a desk-bound remote job; you will be on-site in Atlanta with up to 25% domestic travel for field testing and operational missions.

What You Bring

• A valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate to operate UAS platforms legally and safely.

• Hands-on experience integrating physical components and assessing hardware compatibility on aircraft systems.

• Capability to interact with custom software via terminal interfaces and write or adapt Python scripts for test data collection.

• Physical stamina to work outdoors in active field testing environments over 70% of the time and lift up to 55 lbs of equipment.

• A bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline, or equivalent professional flight test and hardware experience.

• Experience with experimental UAS flight testing or custom flight controllers is a plus.