Flight Test Engineer - Drones

Flight Test Engineer - Drones

Alpine Eagle

Karlsruhe, Germany

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.