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Pyka

Posted 3 months ago

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Flight Test Operator

Alameda HQOn-siteFull-time

AI Summary

Flight Test Operator tests and scales operations for Pyka's autonomous aircraft, focusing on continuous operation, reliability campaigns, and feedback to engineering. May deploy to international customers and work at California test sites.

About this role

About Pyka

Pyka’s goal is to provide society with a new form of safe, clean, and cost-effective transportation enabled by autonomous electric aviation.

To get there, we’re taking a different approach than most. We're applying our technologies to every industry where autonomous electric aircraft can be useful, starting with the highest value and most dangerous jobs. In doing so, we're building game-changing products manufactured at scale, while perfecting the safety, reliability, and capabilities of our autonomy engine and electric propulsion systems.

We design, develop and manufacture an ecosystem of technologies including proprietary flight control software, avionics, high power density motors, motor controllers, batteries, and custom carbon-fiber composite airframes.

Today, we supply autonomous electric aircraft for cargo transport and crop protection to real-world customers across four separate continents and have secured industry-first regulatory approvals from the FAA. Our cargo aircraft enables remote connectivity, enhances express delivery networks, and ensures fast and reliable shipping of critical supplies to areas in need. Our crop protection aircraft offers agricultural services providers and farmers an autonomous tool to make aerial application safer, more precise, and less harmful to surrounding environments. Both vehicles are highly economical to operate, easy to deploy, and significantly reduce CO2 emissions in their respective industries.

What you work on at Pyka makes people’s lives better now and brings the future of electric aviation one step closer each day.


Role Overview

Pyka is looking for a Flight Test Operator to test and scale the operations of its advanced autonomous aircraft. You will test our new hardware and software features to ensure the success of Pyka’s customer operations around the globe. Your work will focus on testing the continuous operation of Pyka’s aircraft and ground infrastructure.
This is a multidisciplinary role that interacts with many internal teams, so written and verbal communication skills are critical. Your work will be instrumental in Pyka’s growth as we build the best safe product for our customers. You will focus on operating at Pyka’s local California test sites, and may deploy to our international customers to support as needed.

Responsibilities

  • Execute continuous operations at Pyka’s test sites by identifying and troubleshooting issues, with the remote help of Pyka’s engineering teams
  • Conduct reliability test campaigns with Pyka’s autonomous aircraft and ground support infrastructure
  • Provide detailed technical feedback to operations and engineering teams to improve Pyka’s product for customer deployment
  • Fly and test new hardware and software features
  • Conduct diverse fleet site maintenance activities, involving the aircraft itself and ground infrastructure
  • Serve as Pilot In Command or Ground Control Operator of experimental / developmental unmanned aircraft
  • Deploy customer test sites to support Agricultural and Cargo Operations - 25% of total time.
  • Prefered Qualifications

  • 1-3 years of experience flying fixed wing UAVs / model aircraft or large multirotors
  • Experience with ground control and mission planning software
  • 1–5 years of experience working with and troubleshooting mechanical and electrical systems
  • Basic high voltage safety knowledge and comfortable working on 120 VDC, 20 ~ 30 kW systems
  • Knowledge of aircraft systems, maintenance, and manuals
  • Independent and motivated, able to self-direct and manage time
  • Extreme thoroughness and attention to detail
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Willing to work at test sites in the Central Valley
  • Part 61 pilot certificate
  • Compensation and Benefits

  • Flight Test Operator: $34.50–$39/hr + Equity, Flight Test Operator II: $40–$45/hr + Equity. Compensation will vary depending on location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Hourly wage ranges are subject to change.
  • Employer-sponsored health, dental, vision, long-term disability and life insurance
  • FSA with employer matching
  • 401(k) plan
  • Paid holidays, generous PTO, and additional unpaid time off
  • Voluntary short-term disability and life insurance
  • Pre-tax commuter benefits
  • Free catered lunch and plenty of snacks
  • Skills

    120 VDC Systems20-30 KW SystemsAircraft Systems ManualsAutonomy SoftwareAvionicsElectrical Systems TroubleshootingFixed-wing UAVsFleet OperationsFlight Control SoftwareGround Control OperatorGround Control SoftwareHigh-voltage SafetyLarge MultirotorsMechanical TroubleshootingMission Planning SoftwareModel AircraftPilot-in-CommandTest Site MaintenanceUnmanned Aircraft Operations

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