Senior Subsystem Test Engineer

Job description

Skyways designs, builds, and operates fully autonomous long-range cargo aircraft. Founded in 2017, the company has spent the last eight years developing and deploying autonomous logistics systems for real-world operations. Our V2 aircraft carries 30 lbs up to 500 miles, while our next-generation V3 carries 100 lbs over 1,000+ miles with 20+ hours of endurance. Both use a hybrid-electric architecture that takes off like a helicopter and cruises like a plane, enabling long-range autonomous delivery without traditional runway infrastructure. Today, Skyways aircraft operate across three continents in controlled national airspace under FAA oversight and in support of U.S. military operations. We are transitioning from prototype development to full-rate production and scaling toward large autonomous cargo fleets. Backed by Y Combinator and a $37M AFWERX STRATFI award from the U.S. Air Force, Skyways is creating a new form of transportation to advance our civilization from Austin, Texas. **The Opportunity** This role owns how aircraft systems are validated before flight. You will develop and execute subsystem test programs across structures, propulsion, electrical systems, avionics, and integrated aircraft hardware. Your work will directly impact aircraft reliability, development speed, and flight readiness. You will build the infrastructure needed to test complex systems quickly and accurately, including fixtures, instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and automated test workflows. The role requires strong engineering fundamentals, hands-on execution, and the ability to diagnose problems across mechanical and electrical systems. You will work closely with mechanical, electrical, software, manufacturing, and flight test teams to identify failures early, improve system reliability, and support rapid aircraft iteration. The ideal candidate is comfortable building test systems from scratch, troubleshooting hardware issues directly, and operating in fast-moving hardware development environments. ### What You'll Do: - Develop and execute subsystem test plans for aircraft hardware and integrated systems - Design and build test fixtures, instrumentation setups, and data acquisition systems - Support testing across structures, propulsion, electrical systems, avionics, and integrated aircraft hardware - Mentor junior test engineers and raise the bar for how test programs, fixtures, and data analysis are built and run across the team - Analyze test data and identify system failures, performance gaps, and reliability issues - Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and integration issues during testing activities - Collaborate with engineering teams to improve subsystem performance and validation processes - Develop automated test workflows, documentation, and test procedures - Support ground testing, aircraft integration, and flight test activities ### What You'll Bring: - 5+ years developing and executing tests for complex hardware systems, including building test infrastructure from scratch - Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field - Experience developing and executing tests for complex hardware systems - Hands-on experience with instrumentation, sensors, signal conditioning, and data acquisition systems - Strong troubleshooting skills across mechanical and electrical systems - Experience analyzing test data and diagnosing system-level issues - Ability to work directly with hardware in lab, production, or flight test environments - Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills - Ability to operate effectively in fast-moving engineering environments ### Bonus Points If You've: - Participated in Formula SAE, Baja SAE, Solar Car, Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition, Design Build Fly (DBF), FIRST Robotics, Battlebots, etc. - Experience with aerospace, UAV, robotics, automotive, or other high-performance hardware systems - Experience supporting propulsion, battery, avionics, or environmental testing - Familiarity with Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB, or automated test frameworks - Experience supporting flight test or operational hardware deployments - Experience with environmental, vibration, thermal, or structural testing