Flight Test Engineer

The role

This person will plan, prepare, and lead flight test campaigns for high-performance unmanned aerial systems. They will also perform data acquisition, analysis, and support verification and safety processes.

What you will do

• Plan, prepare, and lead flight test campaigns for high-performance unmanned aerial systems
• Write test plans, test cards, risk assessments, and safety cases
• Act as test conductor on the range
• Coordinate with range authorities, airspace regulators, and military test centres
• Define instrumentation and requirements for each test objective
• Process and analyse flight data to assess performance, stability, and system behaviour
• Produce test reports and drive root-cause investigations
• Build tools and scripts to automate post-flight analysis
• Build and maintain the test and evaluation strategy
• Support qualification and acceptance campaigns with customers

Required qualifications

• Degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• 2+ years of flight test experience on UAS, fixed-wing or rotary-wing aircraft, or guided munitions
• Proven track record writing test plans and leading test campaigns in the field
• Solid understanding of flight dynamics, flight control systems, and aircraft performance
• Strong data analysis skills
• Experience with telemetry, ground control stations, and onboard data logging
• Familiarity with PX4/ArduPilot, flight log tools, and simulation or HITL environments
• Calm, methodical, safety-first mindset under operational pressure
• Strong organisational skills
• Hands-on and comfortable with field work, hardware troubleshooting, and outdoor conditions
• Clear and concise written and verbal communication
• High integrity, discretion, and understanding of security culture

Nice to have

• French is a plus
• Drone pilot certification
• Experience at military test ranges or with DGA or equivalent national test centres
• Experience with live-fire, weapons, or counter-UAS trials
• Former military service, particularly in aviation, air defense, or UAS units
• Willingness to travel frequently to test sites across Europe

About the company

Alta Ares is an air defense Neoprime that builds AI-guided interceptors to counter drones and cruise missiles. Founded in 2024, the company has 90 people and serves NATO-aligned militaries and defense institutions.