Flight Test Operations Lead at Seneca

Sausalito, California, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

18 Jan, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

20 Oct, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

UAV Flight Testing, Test Engineering, Requirement Traceability, KPI Analysis, Lab Testing, Field Testing, FAA Part 107, Test Facilities Design, Technical Leadership, Mentoring, Communication Skills, Collaboration, Problem Solving, Continuous Improvement, Data Analysis, Safety Standards

Industry

Software Development

Description

The Job: Seneca is seeking a Flight Test Operations Lead to design and scale our experimental UAV flight test program. This is a technical leadership role with responsibility for building the systems, facilities, and processes that enable safe, efficient, and insightful testing. You’ll be hands-on in planning, executing, and analyzing complex test campaigns, while also guiding a team of pilots and ground crew. The role requires both depth in test engineering and the ability to coordinate across hardware, software, and operations teams. What You'll Do: Design and oversee Seneca’s flight test program, including facilities, infrastructure, and processes. Define system-level test strategies and ensure requirement traceability across hardware and software. Establish and enforce flight safety standards, readiness criteria, and FAA Part 107 compliance. Develop and execute test plans, test cards, and data capture protocols. Analyze flight test KPIs and translate results into actionable engineering insights. Lead continuous improvement of tools, methods, and reporting for test operations. Mentor and guide flight test operators and pilots, providing technical direction and support. Collaborate with engineering leads to align test outcomes with design and certification milestones. What We’re Looking For Strong technical background in UAV flight testing, including system-level test design and execution. Proven experience with requirement traceability, KPI analysis, and reporting for complex systems. Hands-on experience in both lab and field testing of UAV hardware, software, and integrations. Knowledge of FAA Part 107 operations; exposure to Part 135 or certification programs a plus. Ability to design test facilities, procedures, and documentation for scalable operations. Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership and mentor team members, with or without formal management scope. Excellent communication skills for interfacing with engineering, operations, and leadership. Beyond technical skills, we value: Ownership mentality — take projects from idea to execution Balance of velocity and quality — move fast, but with rigor Iterative problem solving — breakdown complex problems, prototype, and refine Kindness and humility — thrive in collaborative, mission-driven cross-functional teamss What We Offer: Competitive Salary – Reflective of your skills and experience Equity Compensation – Be a part-owner in the company's future Comprehensive Health Coverage – Including medical, dental, and vision plans Health Savings Account (HSA) – Optional pre-tax savings for medical expenses Unlimited PTO – Flexible time off to recharge, plus paid company holidays About Us Seneca is eliminating the $1 trillion threat of wildfire across 500 million acres with AI-powered autonomous drone systems. Imagine a world where firefighters can respond to a blaze in under 6 minutes using autonomous suppression technology. That's the world Seneca is building. We’re combining the deep expertise of seasoned fire professionals with the innovation of billion-dollar technology builders to create advanced systems that save lives, property, and natural resources. This is more than a job—it's a mission to transform safety across 500 million acres. Whatever your background, if you’re a builder, an innovator, or a problem-solver, you belong here. Don’t meet every single requirement? If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply — you may still be the right fit for our team.

Responsibilities

Design and oversee Seneca’s flight test program, including facilities, infrastructure, and processes. Lead planning, execution, and analysis of complex test campaigns while guiding a team of pilots and ground crew.