UAS Flight Test Engineer — Remote & Flexible Hours

Job Description

Airbus UpNext is looking for a UAS Flight Test Engineer to join a new demonstrator project in Getafe, Spain. The role is a limited contract tied to delivering the demonstrator, expected to finish at the end of December 2028.

Responsibilities

• Flight Test Design & Preparation: Lead the definition of the Flight Test Plan, including detailed objectives, flight envelopes, success criteria, and safety procedures. Design and prepare complex flight scenarios to rigorously validate the flight autonomy functions.
• Test Execution: Lead and coordinate flight test campaigns on various UAS platforms, working with internal and external partners, ensuring safe compliance with regulations and Airbus requirements. Drive flight readiness activities and manage test logistics.
• Data Collection & Analysis: Define and manage the data capture strategy during testing, ensuring high‑quality evidence. Lead post‑flight data analysis to validate requirements and inform the agile development cycle.
• V&V Strategy Contribution: Contribute to the Verification & Validation strategy and plan by providing flight test expertise. Support V&V activities using simulation infrastructure (SiL/HiL) to bridge simulation and flight test.
• Safety & Airspace Operations: Lead safety and risk assessments for flight tests. Ensure compliance with UAS regulations, standards such as SORA, and safe airspace operations.
• Knowledge Capitalization & Handover: Contribute to the analysis and capitalization of all technical data, ensuring a valuable technical handover of project learnings and operational assets at completion.
• Risks & Opportunities: Identify and analyze risks and opportunities affecting development and execution of flight test campaigns, implementing corrective and preventive actions agreed within project reviews.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in UAS flight testing, including design, planning, execution, and leading flight operations.
• Strong command of systems integration and V&V methodologies for airborne systems.
• Expertise in flight test data analysis and processing, translating raw data into validation evidence.
• Knowledge of UAS operations and airworthiness regulations, including SORA.
• Experience with safety assessments and related methodologies for flight test campaigns.
• Knowledge of avionics systems, airborne software, and hardware.
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary engineering teams, manage technical risks, and make critical decisions in a fast‑paced, agile environment.
• Systems thinking mindset, strong synthesis capacity, and ability to translate high‑level objectives into concrete test roadmaps.
• Strong English communication skills for stakeholder and sponsor engagement.
• Eagerness to propose efficient ways of working, coping with short deadlines, and a desire to attain rapid progress.
• Values of transparency, humility, empathy, autonomy, adaptability, availability, and accountability.
• Readiness to step out of a comfort zone and willingness to have fun.

Benefits

• Pivotal role in a strategic mission and opportunity to develop critical competencies.
• Work on cutting‑edge technology; build high‑value assets for Airbus’s future.
• Agile and empowering environment similar to start‑up atmosphere with Airbus support.
• Collaborative team culture guided by “Care for Each Other” value.
• Flexibility: craft calendar with flexible hours, remote work options, and community bonding events.
• Complimentary coffee and beverages available.

Employment Details

Company: Airbus UpNext S.L.

Employment type: Fixed term

Experience level: Professional

Job family: Testing

Required skills: Agile, Data Analysis

Required languages: English, Spanish

Equal Opportunity Statement

Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief. Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. No monetary exchange will be requested in the recruitment process.