The Society of Experimental Test Pilots | Test Pilot

Senior Experimental Test Pilot, VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing)

Location: Costa Mesa, California, United States

Contact: Questions regarding this position may be directed to Mark Stucky.

Company Overview: Anduril Industries

Anduril Industries is a pioneering defense technology corporation dedicated to transforming military capabilities for the U.S. and allied forces. By integrating cutting-edge 21st-century technologies, including autonomy, Artificial Intelligence (AI), computer vision, sensor fusion, and advanced networking, Anduril rapidly delivers next-generation military systems. The company's diverse family of uncrewed systems (UAS), powered by the AI-driven Lattice OS, includes platforms such as Ghost UAS, Sentry Tower, and Fury. Anduril is committed to rapidly deploying advanced developmental aircraft capable of terminal guidance, long-range intelligence collection, and highly precise, unsupervised autonomy.

The Opportunity

Anduril is seeking a highly experienced Senior Experimental Test Pilot, VTOL, to join its elite Test and Evaluation (T&E) team in Costa Mesa, California. This critical role involves supporting the full development and rigorous field testing of a clean-sheet, novel Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) uncrewed air system. The successful candidate will drive flight safety and technical excellence throughout the product development lifecycle, preparing aircraft, executing complex flight tests, and supporting the test engineering team during the entire lifespan of the developmental aircraft.

Core Responsibilities

The Senior Experimental Test Pilot, VTOL, assumes pivotal leadership responsibilities across all phases of the flight test program. Key duties include:

• Serving as a guiding technical expert within the Test and Evaluation team, regularly interfacing with the design office, the broader test team, and customer representatives.
• Maintaining direct responsibility for the safe flight of the aircraft and holding an advisory position on critical safety reviews, design specifications, and airworthiness assessments.
• Conducting ground and flight testing of developmental aircraft to meticulously determine compliance with stringent specifications, validate airworthiness, and ensure operational suitability.
• Collaborating closely with Flight Test Engineers and Discipline Engineers to create safe, efficient, and effective test procedures, evaluate system safety, and verify functional design.
• Directing the development of system test procedures and actively participating in both laboratory and surrogate open-air environment testing.
• Participating in flight operations planning efforts and supporting the overall direction of the flight test program.
• Developing Human Machine Interfaces (HMI), authoring comprehensive flight procedures, developing and verifying emergency procedures, and leading control room and test team training.
• Serving as a key reviewer for essential program documentation, including test procedures, flight test plans, flight test cards, operating limitations, and support documents.
• Providing critical input during system design and configuration control meetings, determining change priority, timeline, and defining test verification requirements necessary for software releases and aircraft block changes.
• Developing creative and immediate solutions to unique technical and execution challenges encountered during the rapid development cycle, operating with a strong bias for action.

Required Professional Qualifications

Candidates must demonstrate a deep commitment to safety, technical rigor, and pioneering aviation development:

1. Long-course graduation from a recognized Test Pilot School (TPS).
2. Minimum of 15 years of progressive flight test experience, including demonstrated expertise in first flight execution and envelope expansion programs.
3. Minimum of 1,000 hours of Pilot-in-Command (PIC) time or 500 hours in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
4. Possession of a Civilian Commercial license with an Instrument Rating.
5. Current and valid FAA Class 3 Medical Certificate (or equivalent international certification).
6. Proven ability to author complex technical documents and flight manuals necessary to operate developmental aircraft and deliver configuration-controlled publications to the customer.
7. Specialized training and extensive experience evaluating and operating new or substantially modified aircraft, systems, or technologies.
8. Proficiency in technical software environments, including MATLAB, JIRA, DOORS, MS Office, CATIA, and 3DX.
9. Exceptional communication skills (written and verbal), superior organizational abilities, and the capacity to coordinate complex work phases autonomously.
10. The ability to travel as necessary to support off-site aircraft testing and maintain flexible and irregular working hours.

Preferred Qualifications (Advantageous Experience)

1. 20 or more years of experience as a Test Pilot working specifically with developmental aircraft programs.
2. Minimum of 2,000 hours of Pilot-in-Command (PIC) time.
3. A Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related technical discipline.
4. Prior experience as PIC of high-performance rotorcraft or electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
5. Documented first flight experience on a developmental manned or large UAS platform.
6. Prior experience operating as a Test Pilot in conjunction with a supporting telemetry room environment.

Compensation and Benefits

US Salary Range: $170,000 – $201,000 USD (Base salary estimate).

Anduril offers a highly competitive total compensation package, which includes substantial equity grants for the majority of full-time roles, in addition to top-tier benefits for full-time employees:

• Health and Wellness: Platinum-level healthcare coverage (medical, dental, vision) provided at little to no cost to the employee (US roles). Employer-funded basic life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance.
• Work-Life Balance: Extremely generous company holiday calendar, featuring a yearly holiday hiatus in December, alongside highly competitive Paid Time Off (PTO) plans.
• Family Support: 16 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave. Comprehensive support for Family Planning, including IVF, preservation, adoption, and gestational carrier coverage.
• Financial and Professional Growth: A professional development stipend, company-funded commuter benefits, relocation assistance (based on eligibility), and a 401(k) retirement savings plan (Traditional and Roth options).
• Mental Health: Free, 24/7 mental health resources, including therapy, life coaching, and additional legal and financial work-life services.

Posted 8 October 2025