Senior Quality Assurance Manager (UAS)

TL;DR

Senior Quality Assurance Manager (UAS): Leading end-to-end product validation across hardware, firmware, and software systems for drone platforms with an accent on flight testing, system validation, and regulatory compliance. Focus on building and managing QA organization, scaling test infrastructure, and delivering mission-ready UAS for defense and commercial applications.

Location: Onsite in Salt Lake City, UT; US Citizenship or Permanent Residence required (ITAR/EAR restrictions, no sponsorship)

Company

Developer of mission-ready UAS platforms for defense and commercial applications under Red Cat Holdings.

What you will do

• Own and lead flight testing operations, develop test plans, validate performance in various environments including GPS-denied conditions.
• Lead software QA strategy with smoke, regression, integration testing, automated frameworks, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Validate firmware and embedded systems using HIL/SIL environments, ensure stability and fail-safes.
• Oversee mechanical and electrical validation for airframe, structural integrity, thermal, environmental, power, and EMI/EMC testing.
• Build and scale test infrastructure including labs, rigs, telemetry, data systems for informed decision-making.
• Define QA processes for FAA, DoD standards, certifications; build and lead multidisciplinary QA team.

Requirements

• 10+ years in QA, validation, or test engineering (UAS, aerospace, robotics preferred)
• 5+ years in leadership or management roles
• Deep experience with flight testing, embedded/firmware testing, software QA (automation preferred), mechanical/electrical validation.
• Strong knowledge of test tools, telemetry, data analysis.
• Must pass background check; US Citizen/PR only (ITAR/EAR)
• Physical ability to work onsite: lift 25lbs, navigate facilities, use PPE, occasional off-hours work.

Nice to have

• Background in UAS/aerospace or defense programs.
• Experience with HIL/SIL, RF systems, environmental/MIL-STD testing.

Culture & Benefits

• Base pay plus equity and bonuses.
• EEO employer, participates in E-Verify.
• Mission-focused culture with emphasis on ownership, rigor, and team development.