Flight Test Staff Engineer

Job Summary

The Flight Test Engineer Staff is a senior technical role responsible for strategic planning, execution, and analysis of flight test programs for complex aerospace vehicles and systems. This position involves high-level coordination, ensuring regulatory compliance, leading large-scale testing efforts, and contributing to continuous improvement of testing methodologies. As a key technical authority, the Flight Test Engineer Staff provides mentorship and support to junior and mid-level engineers and plays a pivotal role in ensuring the success of critical flight test operations.

• Lead the planning and execution of multi-faceted flight test programs, including defining objectives, testing requirements, success criteria, and timelines.
• Oversee test resource allocation, ensuring that personnel, instrumentation, and facilities are prepared and optimized for successful operations.
• Collaborate with senior management, project teams, and regulatory bodies to ensure test activities align with corporate goals and safety standards.
• Serve as the primary authority during test operations, providing technical guidance, monitoring test data, and making in-the-moment adjustments to ensure data accuracy and safety.
• Act as a liaison between pilots, engineers, and other support teams to facilitate effective communication and decision-making during testing.
• Address complex technical challenges in real time, utilizing advanced problem-solving skills to adapt and respond to dynamic testing conditions.
• Oversee post-test data analysis, focusing on critical parameters such as flight stability, control, performance, structural loads, and avionics functionality.
• Generate detailed technical reports that highlight test results, identify variances, and offer actionable insights for design refinement or procedural adjustments.
• Use advanced analytical tools and simulation software to validate test results, conduct predictive analysis, and inform decision-making.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve safety protocols and risk assessment procedures for all test activities.
• Collaborate with safety officers and regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with industry standards and mitigate potential risks.
• Foster a culture of safety and continuous improvement, conducting thorough reviews of test procedures and outcomes to minimize risks.
• Mentor junior and mid-level flight test engineers, sharing knowledge of best practices, methodologies, and analytical techniques.
• Lead technical review sessions, contributing expertise and guiding the team through complex engineering problems.
• Provide training and development opportunities for team members, helping to advance their technical skills and industry knowledge.
• Work with engineering, design, manufacturing, and regulatory teams to align testing requirements and ensure consistency with project objectives.
• Act as a subject matter expert, providing insights and recommendations to cross‑functional teams and senior management.
• Participate in strategic planning discussions to improve test efficiency, data accuracy, and test program success.

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in flight testing, aerospace engineering, or an equivalent field, with demonstrated experience in complex test programs.
• Certification from an accredited test pilot school or advanced flight test training is highly preferred.
• Deep expertise in flight dynamics, aerodynamics, propulsion systems, avionics, and aircraft systems.
• Proficiency with flight test instrumentation, data acquisition, and advanced analysis tools.
• Strong capabilities in simulation, modeling, and data processing tools.
• Comprehensive understanding of industry regulations and standards (e.g., FAA, EASA, MIL‑STD) and safety protocols.
• Experience in advanced risk management and mitigation strategies for flight test programs.
• Proven leadership skills, with experience mentoring engineers and leading cross‑functional teams.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present complex technical findings to both technical and non-technical…