Senior Staff Flight Test Engineer

At Wisk, we're transforming the future of urban mobility through safe, all-electric, autonomous flight. We are a passionate team working together toward a sustainable future, solving high-impact problems that have never been solved before. By delivering everyday flight for everyone, we're making it possible to spend less time getting there and more time being there. If you want to be part of shaping the future of mobility, then read on!

We are looking for a Senior Staff Flight Test Engineer with experience certifying complex aircraft and aerospace systems to join us in testing and certifying a new class of all-electric personal aircraft. You will work with a group of flight test engineers, Certification, Systems Engineering, and cognizant engineers from the Avionics, Electric Propulsion, Structural, Aerodynamics, and Controls teams to validate and verify a revolutionary new aircraft design. 

Due to the nature of the work required for this position, this is an onsite opportunity. You will be required to work from our Hollister office.

Why we need you:

• As a Leader in the Flight Test and Operations team, you will work with a group of flight test engineers, Certification, Systems Engineering, and cognizant engineers from Avionics, Electric Propulsion, Structural, Aerodynamics, and Controls teams to validate and verify a revolutionary new aircraft design. 
• Your role will involve interpreting certification requirements, identifying applicable industry guidance, and applying your knowledge of Wisk’s complex flight control, electric propulsion, and avionics systems to determine relevant test objectives and conditions to show compliance to the certification authority. Leveraging your certification experience, you will develop test procedures, and data analysis methods, and write test plans that will demonstrate that our Generation 6 aircraft meets the certification requirements. 
• You will support test program scheduling, participate in test execution as a Flight Test Engineer and/or Test Director, perform data analysis, and write test reports to a standard required by a certification authority. You will mentor other flight test personnel on current industry practices for certifying complex aircraft systems and support writing updates to company Standard Operating Procedures.

What you will do:

• Be an expert on the aircraft, its systems, and the interrelationships of different disciplines
• Lead and mentor a team of Flight Test Engineers through the process of Part 23 certification of a novel aircraft design
• Support our Certification Basis and Certification Plan, ensuring regulatory compliance
• Author/review/approve flight test plans, procedures, analysis methods, and test reports
• Coordinate with Flight Test Instrumentation for design requirements and integration
• Participate as Test Director, preparing for flight tests, and organizing briefs and debriefs. Tracking the aircraft test configuration and directing changes, where necessary.
• Develop, execute, and continuously improve upon our Flight Test Processes
• Provide flight test engineering support in the form of test data monitoring/reviewing (live/post-test) and making safety-critical decisions while monitoring/tracking deficiencies
• Providing in hangar aircraft troubleshooting and engineering support
• Understand and develop Part 135 Activities for Wisk
• Support Wisk’s Safety Management System and ensure testing is compliant
• Author/coordinate/review the development of Flight Test Engineering documentation to include manuals, procedures and bench-level instructions
• Assist in the maintenance of all test crew training and currency material

What have you done:

• Proficiency in data analysis with MATLAB, Python, or other scripting tools
• Experience participating in and analyzing data from structural, loads & dynamics flight tests.
• Experience with specifying Flight Test Instrumentation requirements for aircraft certification test programs and familiarity with the requirements of 14 CFR 21.39
• Experience with flight test instrumentation such as strain gauges and accelerometers and their use in flight test data collection.
• Familiarity with the aircraft development process and planning documents of ARP4754A/ ED-79A
• Experience authoring flight test plans and reports required for aircraft certification consistent with 14 CFR Part 21, ARP4754A, and equivalent standards
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and manage tasks to successful completion in challenging cross-functional environments
• Experience managing deficiencies, limitations, and restrictions in a flight test environment

Desired:

• Private pilot license
• Familiarity with FAA Order 4040.26B
• Experience with flight testing organization and management
• Demonstrated experience participating in an FAA/EASA/TCCA Type Certification or Supplemental Type Certification program for fixed/rotary-wing aircraft or complex systems 
• Experience with the management of compliance data and making statements of compliance to Airworthiness Regulations
• Experience drafting means of compliance for, and showing compliance to, complex certification bases encompassing Issue Papers and Special Conditions
• Experience showing compliance to 14 CFR 2X.1301 & 2X.1309 or equivalent, and familiarity with DO-160G/ED-14
• Experience managing configuration/conformity of test vehicles
• Experience operating/testing a Remotely Piloted Aircraft 

Who you are:

• You are a highly motivated, self starting individual with a broad set of skills and never afraid of facing complex technical challenges
• You are a solution oriented individual with a strong analytical mindset
• You have strong communication skills and can easily tailor your communications to suit the audience
• You can adapt quickly or propose changes needed to achieve early results in a timely fashion
• You embrace challenges and take commitments and deliver results within reasonable expectations
• You are a positive team player

We are committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds, including those from marginalized or underrepresented groups in the tech industry and aerospace, to apply for our job openings. We consider every candidate who shares our passion for making the impossible possible, even if they may not strictly meet all preferred requirements. We firmly believe that a diverse range of perspectives can profoundly influence both our product and our company culture.

Wisk HQ located in Mountain View just a couple of hundred feet from Shoreline Lake and its surrounding walking/jogging trails. We offer a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision and life insurance, alternative work schedule (9/80), flexible time off, 11 company holidays, a 401(k) plan with 50% company matching vested immediately, commuter assistance, and education assistance. And on top of all that, we also offer a variety of perks such as free catered lunches, flight lessons, wellness allowances, snacks, drinks, fruit, employee referral bonus, charitable giving match, patent bonus program, happy hours and much more.

To all recruitment agencies: Wisk Aero does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Wisk Aero employees, or any other organization location. Wisk Aero is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes. 

Wisk Aero provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Wisk Aero abides by applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Wisk Aero is an E-Verify employer.