Senior Flight Test Engineer

Senior Flight Test Engineer

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Flight Test Engineer to support complex aircraft modification, integration, and flight test programs. This position will lead the planning, execution, and analysis of flight test activities used to evaluate aircraft performance, airworthiness, mission capability, systems integration, and certification requirements.

The Senior Flight Test Engineer will work closely with test pilots, engineering teams, maintenance personnel, program leadership, and customer representatives throughout the flight test lifecycle.

This position will be primarily U.S.-based and will also provide international flight test support in France as program requirements dictate. Candidates must be comfortable supporting flight test activities at domestic and international test locations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, coordination, execution, and analysis of complex flight test programs.
• Develop flight test plans, procedures, test cards, compliance documentation, and technical reports.
• Serve as a Test Director and, when required, an active aircraft crew member during flight test operations.
• Conduct pre-flight and post-flight briefings and provide engineering oversight during test missions.
• Support developmental, certification, operational, baseline, and envelope-expansion flight testing.
• Analyze flight test data and provide engineering findings, recommendations, and substantiation documentation.
• Define flight test instrumentation and data acquisition requirements, including parameters, ranges, accuracy, and sampling rates.
• Support aircraft modification and systems integration involving avionics, electrical, mechanical, and mission systems.
• Participate in design reviews, safety reviews, test readiness reviews, and engineering data reviews.
• Support troubleshooting, conformity inspections, and aircraft evaluations at company, customer, and remote test locations.
• Develop and review technical documentation including AFMs, AFMSs, operating instructions, and Instructions for Continuing Airworthiness (ICA).
• Maintain aircraft weight and balance requirements associated with flight test configurations.
• Identify and manage technical and operational risks throughout flight test activities.
• Mentor junior flight test engineers and provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Assist with resource planning, project schedules, budgets, and coordination with customers and program stakeholders.
• Support international flight test operations in France, including coordination and execution of on-aircraft test activities as required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• 10+ years of direct flight test engineering experience.
• Extensive experience with flight test planning, execution, data reduction, analysis, and technical reporting.
• Strong knowledge of aircraft performance, handling qualities, systems testing, and aircraft modification programs.
• Experience with flight test instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
• Understanding of FAA, military, and/or customer aircraft certification and airworthiness requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering and flight test teams.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an FAA Class III Medical Certificate.
• Must be a U.S. citizen capable of obtaining and maintaining a DoD Secret security clearance.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally, including supporting flight test activities in France.
• Flexibility to work extended hours or overtime during active flight test periods.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications

• DoD or military flight test experience.
• Experience supporting fixed-wing aircraft flight test programs.
• Background in aircraft modifications, mission systems integration, or special-mission aviation.
• Experience with telemetry, flight test instrumentation, and data acquisition systems.
• Experience with engineering and data-analysis tools such as MATLAB, Python, Dewesoft, or similar platforms.
• Private Pilot License or other relevant aviation experience.

Work Environment & Travel

This position supports aircraft flight test and engineering activities at hangars, customer facilities, flight test locations, and other program sites. Domestic and international travel is required, including flight test support in France. Travel requirements will vary based on program schedules and active test windows.