Seaglider Test Operator

At REGENT, we’re on a mission to revolutionize regional transportation between coastal cities. We're not just building vehicles, we're creating a new category of transportation: the Seaglider. These groundbreaking wing-in-ground-effect craft travel just above the water’s surface, combining the speed of an airplane with the low operating costs of a boat. Capable of 180 miles at 180 mph on today's battery tech (and up to 400 miles with next-gen batteries), Seagliders will unlock fast, affordable, and sustainable coastal transit for passengers and cargo - connecting cities, islands, and communities like never before. Backed by leading investors and powered by a team of passionate, forward-thinking engineers, builders, and operators, we’re now scaling from a breakthrough prototype to full production - and building the team to make it happen. ROLE OVERVIEW As a Seaglider Test Operator, you will serve as the primary test crew member (Captain, Watch Officer) to safely execute on-water sea and air trials and demonstrations of prototype and production Seagliders. You'll plan and execute engineering sea and air trials and vehicle demonstrations, including initial envelope expansion and vehicle flights domestic and international customer and investor - leading fellow operators within the test operations team, ensuring adequate training of all operators, developing foundational operational documents and test cards, executing test plans, performing risk assessments, and coordinating with external stakeholders. This is a commercial developmental test program moving at startup speed. You'll help write the playbook with our team: building procedures, checklists, and training materials from scratch while executing tests safely and efficiently. Pace expectations are closer to an aerospace startup than a government program - and we're looking for someone energized by that. You'll work closely with engineers to define test objectives and feedback results, with business development and marketing teams to plan demonstrations, and with the broader test team on day-to-day operations. If you've ever wanted to be one of the first people to fly a genuinely new category of vehicle - and help define how it's tested and operated - this is that role. WHAT YOU'LL DO - Ensure safe execution of on-water sea trials and demonstrations of prototype and production Seagliders across all operators - Operate the vehicle for Seaglider envelope expansion and first flight events - Plan and execute engineering sea trials and domestic and international customer and investor demonstrations. - Lead the development of test cards, risk assessments, and weekly/month test schedules; coordinate with external stakeholders. - Build and refine crew procedures, checklists, and crew training courses and materials from the ground up. - Provide feedback on cockpit user interfaces and ergonomics to improve Seaglider operation. WHAT YOU'LL BRING - Demonstrated experience as a test pilot or in developmental flight testing of novel, experimental, or commercial aircraft. - Strong foundation in engineering, computer science, math, flight sciences, naval architecture, or a related technical discipline - however you built it. - Demonstrated knowledge of novel or prototype vehicle operations, including risk/hazard identification and mitigation. - Experience with aircraft or boat handling, development or operational test, and demonstration planning. - Startup mindset: willing to build processes from scratch, move fast, and wear multiple hats. - Must be willing to relocate to Rhode Island (*we offer a staggered relo program) and travel to support demonstrations. YOU'RE THE KIND OF PERSON WHO... - Thrives at the edge of the envelope - literally. You're energized by being one of the first to operate a new category of vehicle, not intimidated by it. - Builds as you go. You're comfortable writing the checklist that didn't exist yesterday and flying from it in the future. Incomplete procedures don't p