Allen Control Systems
Flight Test Engineer & Pilot
About this role
Allen Control Systems, a defense startup building autonomous drone-detection systems, seeks an experienced flight test engineer and pilot to plan and execute flight tests of high-performance fixed-wing UAVs. This part-time contract role (up to 15 hours/week) involves hands-on piloting, regulatory compliance, and test site coordination, with potential to transition to full-time.
What you'll do
- Manually pilot high-performance fixed-wing UAVs in FPV and line-of-sight modes; perform pre-flight checks and make go/no-go decisions
- Serve as or support remote Pilot-in-Command and lead flight operations under Part 107 regulations
- Identify, secure, and coordinate suitable test locations with landowners and authorities
- Develop flight plans, safety procedures, and operational protocols for each test event
- Provide post-flight performance feedback on airframe and controller behavior to engineering team
- Design and implement safe takeoff, flight, and landing procedures
What they're looking for
- High-performance fixed-wing UAV piloting (FPV and line-of-sight)
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate with active business operations experience
- Flight operations and safety planning
- Risk assessment and independent decision-making
- Airspace authorization and permitting (LAANC familiarity preferred)
- Telemetry and flight control data interpretation
- Aerospace or defense systems knowledge
Benefits
- Competitive hourly rate
- Flexible part-time contract (up to 15 hours/week)
- Potential conversion to full-time as flight cadence increases
- Work with cutting-edge autonomous systems technology
- Backed by experienced founders with proven track record
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Allen Control Systems
Allen Control Systems builds autonomous defense systems, including gun turrets and drone-defense technology, using computer vision, control systems, and robotics. The company is hiring across software engineering, mechanical engineering, testing, and operations roles to support product development and scaled production.
View all jobs at Allen Control SystemsLikely interview questions
- Walk us through your experience flying high-performance fixed-wing UAVs—what aircraft have you flown, and what made them challenging to control manually?
- Describe a time you made a go/no-go decision during flight operations. What factors did you weigh, and would you make the same call today?