Flight Test Engineer

POSITION SUMMARY

The Flight Test Engineer is a member of the Flight Test Department and is responsible for planning, preparing, executing, analyzing, and documenting aircraft ground and flight-test activities.

The position supports the complete flight-test lifecycle, from initial test-request evaluation and test-plan development through test execution, data analysis, reporting, and closure. The Flight Test Engineer works closely with flight-test pilots, design engineers, certification personnel, maintenance, quality, and other technical groups to ensure testing is conducted safely, efficiently, and with clearly defined objectives, configurations, procedures, and acceptance criteria.

The Flight Test Engineer also supports the continued development of the company’s flight-test organization, including standardized test methods, flight cards, test-readiness processes, configuration-control practices, data-management methods, safety reviews, and technical reporting standards.

Testing may support research and development, product improvement, troubleshooting, production, continued airworthiness, and FAA certification programs.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ROLE

Position Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and execute aircraft ground and flight tests supporting development, certification, troubleshooting, continued airworthiness, and other approved company programs.
• Develop flight-test plans, flight cards, test procedures, test reports, and flight-test inputs to certification and compliance documentation.
• Program and operate data acquisition systems.
• Perform data reduction, analysis, and documentation of test results.
• Plan and install instrumentation, strain gauges, and associated wiring.
• Calibrate and maintain test instrumentation and equipment.
• Coordinate the design and use of test facilities and specialized test equipment.
• Determine, verify, and document aircraft loading, weight, center of gravity, and test configuration for ground and flight-test activities.
• Coordinate with pilots and support pre-flight and post-flight briefings.
• Support test-article conformity, certification test readiness, TIA testing, and other assigned FAA certification activities.
• Coordinate assigned flight-test activities with FAA personnel, FAA designees, and other regulatory representatives in coordination with Certification Engineering and program leadership.
• Prepare test reports, test records, data packages, and technical inputs supporting Type Inspection Reports and other certification documentation.
• Support safety-of-flight reviews, test-readiness reviews, design reviews, and other engineering reviews requiring flight-test input.
• Support company programs and other technical groups through flight-test activities assigned and prioritized by the Flight Test Department.
• Perform other flight-test-related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related engineering field.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of relevant aerospace engineering experience.
• Knowledge of aircraft structures, systems, rotorcraft dynamics, aerodynamics, and powerplants.
• Experience developing test plans, procedures, and technical reports.
• Experience with instrumentation, strain gauges, data acquisition systems, and wiring.
• Proficiency with data acquisition software; LabVIEW experience preferred.
• Understanding of FAA regulations, certification processes, and compliance requirements.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and work effectively in a team environment.
• Basic CAD experience, including SolidWorks or similar software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Flight Test Analyst experience.
• Flight Test Pilot experience.
• FAA Designated Engineering Representative (DER) designation.
• Experience supporting rotorcraft certification programs.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work in office and flight line environments.
• Ability to access aircraft, test equipment, and elevated work areas.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to travel occasionally in support of certification, testing, supplier, or customer activities.
• Ability to work extended hours as required to support flight test schedules and certification milestones.