Chief Drone Test Engineer

Chief Drone Test Engineer

Location: Huntsville, AL

Position Status: Full Time

Work Schedule: Regular hours are Monday - Friday between the hours of 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. Employees may need to adjust work hours during surge situations.

Brief Job Description:

The Chief Drone Test Engineer will lead all aspects of unmanned aerial system (UAS) testing, including planning, execution, analysis, and reporting. This role ensures compliance with applicable regulations, standards, and safety requirements while delivering reliable performance data to support product development.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee new UAS development and creation
• Develop and oversee test plans for UAS systems, subsystems, and components.
• Guide flight test procedures, including setup, instrumentation, safety oversight, coordination of Test Readiness Reviews, and post-flight analysis.
• Ensure compliance with FAA, military, and industry standards.
• Supervise and mentor test staff and technicians.
• Manage testing budgets, schedules, and performance documentation.
• Coordinate with design, software, and systems engineering teams to resolve issues.
• Prepare and present detailed test reports and recommendations.
• Maintain safety protocols and risk management processes during testing.
• Performs other tasks as needed

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent STEM field.
• 5+ years of UAS or aerospace test engineering experience, with 3+ years in a leadership position.
• Strong knowledge of flight testing, instrumentation, and data analysis tools.
• Proven track record designing and executing flight and system validation campaigns.
• Hands-on familiarity with flight test instrumentation, telemetry, ground control systems, and data analysis tools.
• Familiarity with FAA and MIL-STD requirements.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Must have the ability to communicate using clear, concise, and accurate English; both verbal and written are Required

Physical Requirements:

Work may involve sitting or standing for extended periods of time. Position may require typing and reading from a computer screen. Must have sufficient mobility to include but not limited to: bending, reaching, climbing, turning, and kneeling to complete daily duties in a timely and efficient manner. There is a possibility that due to parking availability and location of work, walking moderate to long distances may be required. Must be able to lift, move, and transport items frequently over 10 pounds.

Work Environment:

Generally, work is conducted in an inside office environment, but may also involve some outside work depending on the task. The inside environment may be in an office or cubicle with close quarters, low to moderate noise, and bright or dim lighting. Outside work may include various environmental conditions including warm and cold climates and while on travel.

Axxeum, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. The company will provide equal opportunity in employment to all employees and applicants for employment. No person will be discriminated against in employment because of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal or state law. This policy applies to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment and all policies of the company.

At the time of hiring, employees are required to sign a written statement acknowledging that they are employed at the will of the company and are subject to termination at any time, for any reason, with or without notice, and with or without cause. Employees who do not have an individualized written employment contract or a collective bargaining agreement are employed at the will of the company and are subject to termination at any time, for any reason, with or without cause or notice. At the same time, these employees may terminate their employment at any time for any reasons.