UAV Test Engineer

We are seeking a highly motivated UAV Test Engineer to plan, execute, and analyze test activities for advanced unmanned aerial vehicle systems. This role works closely with the design and engineering teams to ensure system performance, reliability, and safety throughout development and flight testing.

The ideal candidate is hands-on, detail-oriented, and capable of translating test data into actionable design insights.

Salary: $120,000 to $140,000 Annually

Key Responsibilities

Develop, document, and execute test plans and test procedures for UAV subsystems and full aircraft
Work directly with the design and development teams to validate requirements and design assumptions
Plan and support ground tests, integration tests, and flight tests
Configure and operate test equipment, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems
Analyze test data and convert results into clear, meaningful inputs for design decisions
Identify performance gaps, anomalies, and failure modes, and support root-cause analysis
Prepare test reports, summaries, and presentations for technical reviews
Support iterative design improvements based on test findings
Maintain test documentation and ensure traceability to requirements

What We Offer

Direct impact on UAV design and performance
Close collaboration with multidisciplinary engineering teams
Opportunity to work on cutting-edge unmanned aircraft systems

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or related field)
5+ years of experience in UAV, aerospace, or complex system testing
Experience developing and executing test procedures and test plans
Strong data analysis skills with the ability to translate results into engineering recommendations
Hands-on experience with UAV systems, components, or flight operations
Highly experienced with Matlab/Simulink
Working experience with HIL and SIL systems
Strong communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally
Self-motivated, proactive, and capable of working independently

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in Engineering
Experience with flight test instrumentation, telemetry, and data analysis tools
Familiarity with UAV control systems, avionics, and propulsion systems
Experience supporting iterative or rapid development programs
Knowledge of aerospace test standards and best practices

WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit; walk; use hands and fingers to handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, bend, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity. Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range.

Work Location: Open shop and laboratory environment.

Protective Equipment Required: Goggles, safety glasses, face shields, ear protection, aprons, gloves, safety harnesses, respirators, breathing equipment.

Potential Hazards: Exposure to high intensity noise levels, extreme changes in temperature, airborne substances, materials identified on Material Safety Data Sheets, working on unprotected heights or around moving machinery.

Periodic weekend or evening work is expected.

Swift is an EOE

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

Benefits

9/80 Schedule
Health Insurance
Vision Insurance - 100% covered for Employees
Dental Insurance - 100% covered for Employees
Life Insurance - 100% covered by Swift, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
401k with company match
Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a holiday hiatus in December, and highly competitive PTO plans.
16 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave to care for a family member, bond with your baby, or tend to your own medical condition.
Family Planning & Parenting Support: Fertility (eg, IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carrier coverage with additional benefits and resources to provide support from planning to parenting.

About Swift Engineering

If you’re passionate about engineering, innovation and making a difference, we invite you to join the Swift Engineering family. Together, we are shaping the future of aerospace and creating technologies that will change the world.

The Pay Range For This Role Is

120,000 - 140,000 USD per year (Swift Engineering)
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