Principal Flight Test Engineer

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At EDGE bold ideas are engineered into technologies that protect, improve and save lives.

Headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, EDGE is a leading advanced technology group working at the forefront of defence and emerging technologies. Spanning more than 35 specialised companies and multiple centres of excellence, we are purpose-built to move fast. Free from heavy legacy processes, we give our people the autonomy, accountability, and agility to bring breakthrough technologies from concept to reality.

Based in Abu Dhabi, a globally connected hub at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, EDGE is home to a truly multicultural community where bold ideas thrive, and the future is shaped.

Together, we are shaping the future.

The Principal Flight Test Engineer is responsible for leading the planning, execution, and analysis of complex flight test programs for UAV platforms, ensuring compliance with certification requirements, safety regulations, and engineering objectives. This role acts as a technical authority within the Flight Test Engineering team, providing expert guidance, mentoring junior engineers, and supporting strategic decision-making for company-wide test activities.

• Serve as technical authority for the definition, planning, and execution of complex UAV flight test campaigns.
• Review development specifications, technical and certification requirements, and translate them into flight test objectives.
• Lead preparation of Flight Test Plans, Test Hazard Assessments, and Flight Test Reports in compliance with the ADASI Flight Test Operations Manual.
• Define and oversee requirements for Flight Test Instrumentation (FTI), telemetry, and aircraft test configurations.
• Manage execution of flight tests: planning, monitoring, control, safety assurance, reporting, and closure.
• Ensure adherence to aeronautical rules, laws, and local flight testing regulations.
• Act as primary liaison with certification authorities, MOD, and external stakeholders on flight test matters.
• Drive compliance with Company SMS, AS9100D, ISO 9001, and aviation safety standards.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Systems, Mechatronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Master’s degree or advanced flight test engineering training preferred.
• 12+ years of experience in flight test engineering.
• Experience in UAV or manned aircraft flight testing, including system-level and full-aircraft integration

Training :

• Certified Flight Test Engineer Category II or higher (Category I preferred).
• Training in flight test safety, hazard assessment, and SMS implementation
  .
• Familiarity with civil and military flight test regulations (EASA, FAA, GCAA, MIL standards).

Skills :

• Expert knowledge of flight test planning, instrumentation, and data analysis.
• Proficiency with engineering tools (Matlab, Python, telemetry analysis software).
• Excellent technical writing, documentation, and reporting skills.
• Strong leadership and mentoring ability for junior/senior engineers.

Launched in November 2019, the UAE's EDGE is one of the world's leading advanced technology groups, established to develop agile, bold and disruptive solutions for defence and beyond, and to be a catalyst for change and transformation. It is dedicated to bringing breakthrough innovations, products, and services to market with greater speed and efficiency, to position the UAE as a leading global hub for future industries, and to creating clear paths within the sector for the next generation of highly skilled talent to thrive.

At EDGE, the real investment goes beyond compensation. Through our dedicated learning academy and digital learning platforms, employees have access to extensive opportunities to develop new skills, deepen their expertise, and advance their careers. Combined with the freedom to innovate, strong career support, and the opportunity to collaborate with world-class talent from across the globe, EDGE is a place where you can continue to grow, keep learning, and turn ambitious ideas into meaningful outcomes.

Working at EDGE also comes with a package that genuinely reflects how much we value our people. Salaries are highly competitive and tax-free and, depending on your role and seniority, benefits can include family visas, annual flight tickets, medical insurance for you and your dependents, and education…