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Tycho.AI, spun out of MIT and backed by DoD contracts, is building autonomous intelligence solutions for unmanned systems in GPS-denied and contested environments. As UAV Flight Test Lead, you will own the end-to-end flight test campaigns that transition the company's autonomy stack from simulation to fielded capability.
You will coordinate across software and hardware teams to align test objectives, secure vehicle and personnel availability, and manage range access. You'll translate strategic company goals into concrete flight test plans and measurable outcomes, then execute those plans in the field. This is a hands-on role requiring consistent physical presence during flight tests at various test sites.
Key responsibilities include authoring and approving flight test plans, hazard analyses, and test cards; coordinating with the FAA and military range authorities to ensure compliance with Part 107 regulations, waivers, and COA processes; establishing telemetry and data pipelines for post-flight analysis; and leading root-cause investigations when anomalies occur. You'll track campaign progress, maintain fleet readiness, and ensure test team efficiency.
Required qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or related field; hands-on, system-level flight test experience with demonstrated ownership of formal test design, planning, and documentation; active FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate (or ability to obtain); experience with BVLOS waivers and military test range coordination; comfort with Linux and flight software stacks (PX4, ArduPilot, MAVLink, ROS2, QGroundControl); proficiency with flight instrumentation and telemetry systems; and familiarity with Git, Jira, and collaborative engineering practices.
Nice-to-have skills include experience in GPS-denied or contested RF environments, background in guidance/navigation/control (GNC), sensor fusion, aircraft design, or robotics, and software development experience in C/C++ or Python.
The role offers competitive salary, meaningful equity, and a collaborative, high-trust culture at a rapidly scaling startup defining the future of autonomous intelligence.
