Flight Test Engineer - Drones (m/f/d)

At Alpine Eagle, we are a team of specialists with backgrounds in defence, aerospace engineering and machine learning, building the first airborne, swarm-based system to provide protection against the rising drone threat. We believe that recent conflicts have shown the malicious and disruptive potential of drones in both civilian and defense scenarios. In addition, we are convinced that the next step in counter-drone is air-to-air.

We want to ensure that all governments and institutions that believe in personal freedom and the rule of law have cutting edge solutions to protect against this rising threat.

We offer a work environment that is inclusive and open, with a flat hierarchy, and a purpose-driven team. We want to reinforce a culture where great ideas can flourish, and great people collaborate.

We are seeking a hands-on and motivated Flight Test Engineer to support unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight testing in support of our Counter-UAS systems. You will be at the front lines of system validation - working closely with hardware, software, and mission teams to plan, execute, and evaluate test flights of drone systems and their intercept capabilities.

🎯 How you will make an impact:

• Develop, plan, conduct and report on comprehensive flight test campaigns for UAV and counter-UAS systems, from concept validation through operational evaluation.
• Define test objectives, methodologies, procedures, and success criteria to verify system performance, reliability, and safety.
• Analyze flight test data to assess performance, identify root causes of anomalies, and drive corrective actions in collaboration with engineering teams.
• Produce clear test documentation, maintaining configuration control and traceability throughout the test campaign.
• Ensure compliance with applicable aviation regulations, safety standards, and company flight test processes.
• Support operational evaluation, product acceptance testing and customer demonstrations.
• Occasionally travel to remote test ranges as required.

✅ What you need to be successful:

• Experience in flight test engineering, flight operations, systems validation, or verification and testing of UAV, aerospace, robotics, or autonomous systems.
• Demonstrated experience designing and executing structured test programs and translating requirements into test procedures and acceptance criteria.
• Strong understanding of flight control systems, avionics, autonomy, navigation, and vehicle performance evaluation.
• Experience analyzing flight data, telemetry, and test results using engineering tools and methodologies.
• Working knowledge of UAV integration, including sensors, payloads, communications systems, and mission equipment.
• Familiarity with risk management, flight safety processes, and aviation regulatory frameworks.
• Ability to work effectively in hands-on field environments while maintaining engineering rigor and attention to detail.
• Excellent technical communication and reporting skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• EASA remote pilot competency certificate or equivalent drone operations qualification.
• Experience with RF communications, telemetry systems, electronic warfare, counter-UAS technologies, or related mission systems.
• Experience supporting government or defense programs.
• Military service or operational military experience.