HHiring Reality
← Wing

Head of Flight Test Engineering

Wing
Location
Palo Alto, California
Posted
1 month ago
Department
Flight Test
What they actually want (must-haves)
  • 15+ years in flight test engineering, with extensive experience in complex or autonomous system development
  • 3+ years of hands-on experience flight testing Small Uncrewed Aerial Systems (sUAS), eVTOL, or autonomous aircraft
  • Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline from an accredited university, or equivalent experience
  • Demonstrated track record of technical leadership or direct people management of flight test and evaluation teams
  • Deep, end-to-end domain knowledge across autonomous aircraft systems and their integration into a real-world operational environment
  • Practical experience pairing Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) and Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) simulation with flight testing to accelerate feature validation and maximize test program efficiency
Nice to have
  • Familiarity with FAA processes, standards compliance, or SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment) frameworks
  • Successful completion of an internationally recognized Test Pilot School long course, Flight Test Engineer or Test Pilot track
What the job really is

The Head of Flight Test Engineering at Wing will lead the Flight Test and Evaluation team, focusing on managing and mentoring engineers while developing flight test strategies and plans. This role involves overseeing the execution of flight tests, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and translating technical observations into business impacts. The position requires a blend of technical expertise and leadership to foster a high-performing team and advance testing capabilities.

Benefits
  • Salary range of $276,000 — $293,000 USD
  • Bonus
  • Equity
  • Benefits
Things to weigh
  • Role is hybrid based in Palo Alto, CA
  • No specific details on the company's culture or team dynamics
  • Salary range provided, but specific figures for the location will be discussed during the hiring process
Job score3.2/5
Benefits2/5
Freshness4/5
Career value5/5
Role clarity5/5
Pay transparency0/5

Applying to Wing?

See how your résumé matches this role — and tailor it from what actually gets interviews.

Calculate resume scoreGenerate resume to apply
Job Link →