At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage flight operations for unmanned aerial vehicles and ensure safety during testing.
- Company: Join Saab UK, a leading defence company driving innovation in security and technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a chance to work on cutting-edge projects.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for personal fulfilment and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security while working with advanced UAV technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in flight test operations and certification as a UAV pilot required.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
Saab UK is part of Scandinavia’s largest defence company, bringing together the best of Swedish and British innovation. Saab offers world-leading solutions and services in defence, aviation, space, and civil security to keep people and society safe. Our UK presence has been growing at pace, meaning we can offer a wide range of opportunities for personal fulfilment and career growth.
Saab is a leading defence and security company with an enduring purpose, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems.
The Flight Test Engineer will manage the preparation and comprehensive support of flight operations for unmanned aerial vehicles. Bridging the gap between engineering and field testing, this role drives the rigorous evaluation of systems through test planning, flight execution, and deep-dive analysis. Ideally serving as a UAV pilot, the successful candidate will ensure safety and compliance throughout the testing lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities
- Test Planning: Design and author comprehensive flight test plans, risk assessments, and procedures aligned with engineering objectives and safety standards.
- Flight Preparation: Oversee the preparation, ground testing, and final checks of UAV systems prior to flight operations.
- Flight Test Execution: Lead or heavily support active flight testing in the field, operating as a UAV pilot to gather required telemetry and performance data.
- Post Flight Analysis: Download, processing, and analysing flight data to evaluate system performance against design metrics.
- Reporting: Generate detailed flight test reports, presenting technical metrics and actionable insights to engineering teams.
Essential Skills
- Demonstrated experience in uncrewed or crewed flight test operations, test card generation, and telemetry analysis.
- Practical experience and certification as a UAV pilot, capable of manual and autonomous flight operations.
- Strong analytical skills for interpreting complex flight data and translating it into engineering feedback.
Desirable Skills
- Experience or familiarity with Civil and Military Aviation regulatory requirements (CAA, MAA, EASA) and industry standards.
- Ability to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC level).
By submitting an application to Saab UK you consent to undertaking workforce screening activities that may include but are not limited to: Baseline Personnel Security checks, National Security Vetting, reference checks, verification of working rights and in all circumstances preferred candidates will be placed through a security interview.
Flight Test Engineer employer: Blue Bear Systems Group
Saab UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets purpose in the defence and security sector. With a strong focus on employee growth, Saab provides numerous opportunities for personal and professional development, alongside a collaborative culture that values safety and compliance. Located across multiple sites in the UK, employees benefit from being part of a rapidly expanding team dedicated to creating advanced systems that enhance societal safety and resilience.
