---
title: 'Aeronautical Test Engineer at Enigma Aerospace'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/aeronautical-test-engineer-enigma-aerospace-burlington-y684mmay4jqs'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-10'
---

# Aeronautical Test Engineer at Enigma Aerospace

- **Company:** Enigma Aerospace
- **Location:** Burlington, MA
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-03-16
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-10
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/crgo/a4f0127b-8d20-4c40-856d-a3fb75aed89e

## Job description

Enigma Aerospace is seeking an Aeronautical Test Engineer to lead the analysis and testing of our next-generation, runway-independent autonomous fixed-wing aircraft. This role will involve significant contributions to aircraft design through analysis, simulation and testing of aircraft and flight subsystems from the benchtop, to ground test, through flight testing, ensuring our aircraft perform as expected and is ready for inclusion in demonstrations, exercises, and sustained flight operations. This is a cross-functional position that spans aircraft design and analysis, flight test, flight software modifications, avionics/telemetry, instrumentation, and system integration. You’ll work alongside software, avionics, systems, and other engineering teams to ensure our flight systems are ready for complex, real-world operations.

## Responsibilities

- Plan and execute performance and GNC/ flight control laws optimization for fixed-wing aircraft.
- Plan and implement engineering and flight test plans and procedures for component, ground, taxi, and flight operations based on aircraft design requirements and software changes.
- Instrument aircraft with sensors, data acquisition, and telemetry systems; validate calibration and data integrity.
- Analyze post-flight data, generate reports, and provide actionable feedback to design and systems teams.
- Work with controls, avionics, propulsion, and systems engineers to align test objectives with performance requirements.
- Participate in integration, repair, and fabrication of aircraft and sub-systems.
- Feed flight data, analyses and insights to aircraft design teams and processes.
- Conduct safety reviews, risk assessments, and test readiness reviews.
- Contribute to development and maintenance of engineering, regulatory and operational documentation.
- Travel up to 25% of time.

Desired Qualifications

- BS/MS or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Controls, or a related field.
- Strong understanding of aircraft dynamics and flight controls.
- 7+ years of experience in aerospace and flight test engineering, or related field specifically on fixed-wing, autonomous aircraft systems.
- Strong & demonstrated knowledge and experience with GNC/ Flight control law software including open source software such as PX4 and Ardupilot.
- Hands-on experience with fixed-wing aircraft flying and/or testing (manned or unmanned).
- Proficiency with data acquisition and analysis software, scripting and tools (MATLAB, Python or similar) and telemetry/DAQ systems.
- Knowledge of flight test regulations, safety protocols, and UAS operational requirements.
- Must be eligible to work in the U.S without company sponsorship and ability to receive and hold government security clearances.
- Exceptional communication and organizational skills.

Great to have Qualifications and Skills

- Experience supporting experimental flight test programs at startups or R&D organizations.
- Familiarity with flight control systems, avionics, propulsion, autopilots.
- FAA Part 107 certification or piloting experience.
- Experience with system modeling tools or HIL/SIL environments.
- Interest in operating at the boundary of software and hardware in a fast-paced startup.
- Knowledge of industry (ASTM) and FAA/DoD experimental test standards.
- You are a systems thinker who can balance performance, safety, and complexity.
- You are mission-oriented, detail-driven, and excited to move quickly from design analysis to test design to flight.

Benefits, Equity, & Work Location Enigma Aerospace offers a competitive benefits package including generous healthcare with the option to include an HSA, a 401k plan with a company match component, unlimited PTO, flexible work-from-home policies, stock options, free parking on-site, and a well-stocked snacks and coffee environment. This position is eligible for equity compensation. Our headquarters is currently located in Burlington, MA. This position is primarily on-site with an expectation that commuting to our test sites will be required often.

## About Enigma Aerospace

Enigma Aerospace is building the next-generation autonomous air cargo solution for military and commercial markets. By combining a novel fixed-wing aircraft design with advanced mission and flight autonomy software, Enigma enables runway-independent resupply in vast, contested theaters and dramatically reduces the cost of commercial cargo delivery. Our technologies deliver charter-level performance at freight prices, redefining what’s possible in the $150B air cargo market. Headquartered in Burlington, MA, Enigma is a venture-backed company founded by UAS and logistics experts, including a U.S. Air Force veteran. The founding team brings experience from leading organizations such as American Robotics, Airobotics, Exponent, the United States Air Force, Parsons, DIU, and Apple.

## About Enigma Aerospace

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Enigma Aerospace builds autonomous, runway-independent logistics infrastructure for contested and austere environments using long-range cargo aircraft and fleet orchestration software.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Pre-Seed / Grant funded; last known round $1.35M Grant in June 2025)
- **Headquarters**: Boston (Burlington, MA), United States
- **Founded**: 2023
- **Founders**: Reese Mozer (CEO & Co-Founder) and Vijay Somandepalli (CTO & Co-Founder)

## Core Business
- Primary industries: Defense and Space Manufacturing, Autonomous Aviation, Logistics Technology
- Target customers: Military (U.S. Department of Defense, warfighters), Humanitarian organizations, Enterprise/commercial middle-mile logistics providers (B2B, B2G)
- Mission/purpose: To create an autonomous logistics network that delivers critical supplies to the most remote, austere, and contested places on earth without reliance on traditional infrastructure.

## Products & Services
- **Phoenix™** – Autonomous, ultra long-range cargo aircraft capable of delivering up to 1,000 pounds over >2,000 nautical miles using precision airdrop or STOL (short takeoff and landing). Utilizes unique DropPod™ technology for runway-independent cargo delivery.
- **Strata™** – Logistics orchestration command-and-control software for mission planning, fleet coordination, and real-time execution in contested or GPS-denied environments.
- **Integrated Platform** – A combination of hardware (autonomous aircraft) and software (C2/logistics) enabling attritable, scalable, infrastructure-free resupply.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (private company)
- **Key Metric**: Total funding ~$6.8M–$7M (as of early 2026) including venture capital and U.S. Air Force grants. Latest round: $1.35M Grant (June 2025).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Cybernetix Ventures, Valia Ventures, U.S. Air Force (AFWERX/SBIR grants), MassVentures, Endless Frontier Labs. Partnership with Re:Build Manufacturing for rapid production of Phoenix P-1000 (announced May 2026).
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Emerged from stealth in March 2026 with significant press coverage.
  - Headcount grew from ~5 to ~8 employees (LinkedIn showing +638.7% YoY follower growth, +50% job posting growth YoY).
  - Active hiring for 3 engineering roles (Senior Software Engineer, Aeronautical Test Engineer, Principal Aerospace Engineer).
  - Secured multiple non-dilutive grants from U.S. Air Force and state agencies.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Runway-independent delivery**: Cargo aircraft that can airdrop or STOL land without needing airfields – a game-changer for contested logistics.
- **Integrated hardware+software solution**: Phoenix aircraft paired with Strata C2 software creates a full-stack, autonomous logistics ecosystem.
- **Attritable and scalable design**: Focus on cost-effective, high-volume deployable systems that reduce risk to human pilots.
- **Deep domain expertise**: Founding team from American Robotics, Ondas, Carnegie Mellon, Stanford, and U.S. Air Force; includes technologists, operators, and veterans.

## Strategic Focus
- Current priority: Deliver operational capability to warfighters by 2027, with ongoing production and flight testing of Phoenix P-1000.
- Focus on expanding partnership with Re:Build Manufacturing to accelerate manufacturing and fielding.
- Continue to win U.S. DoD contracts and grants while scaling headcount across engineering and testing.
- Exploring humanitarian and commercial middle-mile delivery applications beyond defense.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture & Mission**: Early-stage, high-impact defense tech startup. Employees work on cutting-edge autonomous aerospace systems with a clear mission to save lives and enable logistics in contested zones.
- **Work Environment**: On-site in Burlington, MA (greater Boston area). Small team (single-digit headcount) meaning high ownership and cross-functional exposure.
- **Team Background**: Mix of engineers from top aerospace/defense firms, robotics startups, and military veterans.
- **Engineering Focus**: Autonomous flight software, mission planning, avionics, powertrain, and hardware integration. Tech stack includes Python, MATLAB, Simulink, Git, C, SolidWorks, Altium.
- **Growth Opportunity**: Ground-floor role with potential to shape company culture, technology stack, and product direction.
- **Recent Hiring**: Active roles include Senior Software Engineer, Aeronautical Test Engineer, and Principal Aerospace Engineer.

## Sources
1. [enigma.aero](https://enigma.aero/) – Company homepage and product descriptions
2. [jobs.lever.co/crgo](https://jobs.lever.co/crgo) – Job postings (Enigma Aerospace)
3. [linkedin.com/company/enigma-aerospace](https://www.linkedin.com/company/enigma-aerospace) – Company LinkedIn profile and activity
4. [prnewswire.com](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/enigma-aerospace-emerges-from-stealth-to-build-autonomous-logistics-infrastructure-for-contested-environments-302721790.html) – Stealth emergence press release (March 2026)
5. [pitchbook.com](https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/608967-64) – Funding and company data

## Other roles at Enigma Aerospace

- [Senior Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-software-engineer-enigma-aerospace-burlington-k500v1b1ab3q) — Burlington, MA
- [Principal Aerospace Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-aerospace-engineer-enigma-aerospace-burlington-z049x2q0hcj4) — Burlington, MA
- [General Talent](https://feeny.ai/job/general-talent-enigma-aerospace-burlington-1kmtxyzmzjmy) — Burlington, MA