Role & seniority: Lead Test Engineer (senior individual contributor/lead)

Location & work type: Riga, Latvia; full-time, on-site with field/testing in remote environments as needed

Stack/tools: flight/test planning and execution; test cards, procedures, and post-test reports; test setup, instrumentation, field equipment deployment; electrical and mechanical troubleshooting; cross-functional collaboration (engineering, customer support)

Top 3 responsibilities

Plan, coordinate, and execute flight and system-level tests for UAS platforms
Develop detailed test plans, flight cards, and post-test reports; lead small cross-functional test teams
Identify test requirements early; troubleshoot electrical/mechanical issues during/after tests; collaborate to resolve field issues

Must-have skills

10+ years in aerospace/defense/UAS with emphasis on flight and system-level testing
Proven experience planning, conducting, and analyzing unmanned aircraft flight tests
Strong test documentation skills (cards, procedures, reports) and hands-on test setup/instrumentation
Electrical/mechanical troubleshooting during integration and testing; leadership and clear communication in English
Nice-to-haves: Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics, Aerospace, Systems, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent experience); experience guiding cross-functional teams; ability to work in remote field environments; customer-support collaborat

Full Description

Lead Test Engineer Edge Autonomy Riga is part of Redwire Corporation — a global space and defense technology company building the infrastructure of the future and delivering multi-domain solutions. Edge Autonomy specializes in the design, manufacturing, and integration of autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and advanced electro-optical surveillance systems. Our technologies are trusted and deployed across defense, security, civil, and industrial sectors worldwide. Edge Autonomy Riga is seeking an experienced Lead Test Engineer to plan, coordinate, and execute component, subsystem, and system-level testing for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). This role requires deep expertise in flight test planning, execution, and analysis, ensuring all test activities are safely and effectively performed. The Lead Test Engineer will lead small cross-functional teams through test operations and collaborate closely with engineering and customer support teams to diagnose and resolve field issues.

Key Responsibilities

Plan and execute flight and system-level tests for UAS platforms
Develop detailed test plans, flight cards, and post-test reports
Coordinate test setup and field equipment deployment, including in remote environments
Lead small, cross-functional teams through test preparation and execution
Identify test requirements early and ensure test complexity and objectives are well understood
Perform electrical and mechanical troubleshooting during and after test activities
Collaborate with engineering and customer support to resolve technical issues identified during testing.

Qualifications

10+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, or UAS industries, with emphasis on flight and system-level testing
Proven experience in planning, conducting, and analyzing flight tests for unmanned aircraft
Strong knowledge of test documentation, including test cards, procedures, and reports
Hands-on experience with test setup, instrumentation, and field equipment deployment
Ability to troubleshoot electrical and mechanical systems during integration and testing
Strong leadership and communication skills, with experience guiding cross-functional teams
Good spoken and written English communication skills.
Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics, Aerospace, Systems, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).

We offer

A culture that values expertise, innovation, and continuous improvement
Engagement with industry-leading UAS technologies and advanced solutions
Access to continuous training and professional and leadership development