Flight Test Operations Lead

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.