Flight Test Engineer / UAS Field Operations Engineer (1099 Contract)
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Employment Type: 1099 Contractor (Project-Based)
Travel Requirement:
Extensive nationwide travel required (50-75%+)Project Term: Initial 1-2 month project with strong potential for ongoing project assignments based on contract terms and deliverables.
About Soaring Eagle Technologies:
Soaring Eagle Technologies is a leader in advanced aerial data collection, utility inspections, LiDAR mapping, autonomous aviation technologies, and mission-critical UAS operations across the United States.
Assignment Overview:
This assignment will begin with a high-priority deployment based in Tucson, Arizona, supporting advanced UAS testing and operational validation activities. The initial engagement is expected to last approximately 1-2 months. Successful completion may lead to additional opportunities supporting utility inspections, BVLOS operations, advanced autonomy programs, customer demonstrations, and flight test campaigns nationwide.
Key Responsibilities/Deliverables:
Build, integrate, configure, and test autonomous UAS platforms and supporting systems.
Execute flight test campaigns from initial integration through operational validation.
Support GPS-denied, degraded-GPS, BVLOS, and advanced autonomy testing efforts.
Analyze flight logs and mission data to identify root causes and corrective actions.
Conduct customer demonstrations and represent Soaring Eagle professionally nationwide.
Required Qualifications:
3+ years of hands-on UAS flight testing or related aerospace engineering experience.
Experience with PX4, ArduPilot, or similar flight control systems.
Complex autonomous flight operations experience.
Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills.
Current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
What Makes This Assignment Unique:
Immediate Tucson-based project with substantial travel, autonomy, exposure to cutting-edge technologies, and ongoing contract opportunities based on project success. This engagement is for an independent contractor and not an employee position. No employee benefits are offered. The contractor will maintain control over the methods, scheduling, and performance of the services, provided all contractual deliverables and deadlines are met. Soaring Eagle Technologies is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. The Company makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.
