Senior Flight Test Engineer

CoAspire () is a cutting-edge defense manufacturing leader in Northern Virginia, specializing in the precision assembly of advanced weapons systems. With over twelve years of a legacy of innovation, we're at the forefront of building reliable, affordable mass weapons that protect and empower our nation’s warfighters. Our tight-knit team thrives in a collaborative environment where safety, quality, and work-life balance come first with a focus on professional growth at our new 27,000+ sq.

ft. facility. Join us to make a tangible impact on mission-critical technology while enjoying Northern Virginia's vibrant community.

You will serve as a Senior Flight Test Engineer, playing a critical role in the planning, coordination, execution support, data analysis, and reporting for developmental and operational flight tests of our advanced missile and weapons systems. Working under the Flight Test Director and closely with multidisciplinary engineering, manufacturing, program management, and test leadership teams, you will lead test events effectively validate system performance, safety, and mission effectiveness across realistic flight profiles and operational environments.

• Lead the development and execution of comprehensive test plans for missile flight tests, including ground tests and other flight test campaigns.
• Serve as lead test engineer; direct test conduct, monitor system performance, ensure adherence to safety protocols, and coordinate with range personnel, instrumentation teams, and other stakeholders as necessary.
• Develop test objectives, success criteria, and data requirements in collaboration with system engineers and chief engineers; develop test strategies that integrate modeling/simulation with live testing to verify aerodynamic performance, guidance, propulsion, and end-to-end system behavior.
• Lead test data collection, reduction, and detailed analysis; interpret results to assess system performance against requirements, diagnose anomalies, and recommend design or operational improvements.
• Support multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) efforts by integrating test-derived data with avionics, aerodynamic, propulsion, structures, and controls models.
• Prepare technical documentation, analysis summaries, charts, presentations, and create test reports and readiness reviews for internal leadership and external stakeholders (e.g., government customers).
• Ensure compliance with engineering requirements, specifications, range safety standards, and applicable aerospace/military standards.

• 8+ years of experience in aerospace test and evaluation, with hands-on experience supporting or leading aspects of flight testing for missile, weapons, aircraft, and/or aerospace systems.
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in planning and supporting complex flight tests, including test procedure development, range operations coordination, and post-test data analysis/reporting.
• Demonstrated experience with both on-board aircraft testing and telemetry monitoring (TM) room testing.
• Familiarity with aerospace and defense standards (e.g., MIL-STD-1760, range safety requirements, DO-178, DO-254 ).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with rigorous attention to safety, verification, data integrity, and engineering accuracy.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance and background-screening requirements.
• Comfortable working in a collaborative, team-oriented, fast-paced, dynamic environment with a focus on mission success and continuous improvement.

• Proficiency with test data reduction tools, scripting for analysis (e.g., Python, MATLAB/Simulink), and familiarity with CFD or trajectory simulation environments is a strong plus.
• Graduate of a recognized test pilot school such as Empire Test Pilot School, US Naval Test Pilot School, USAF Test Pilot School or other similar schools.
• Prior experience with missile, hypersonic weapon, or defense flight test programs in a contractor or government environment.
• Knowledge of instrumentation, telemetry…