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David Careers

Staff Flight Test Engineer

Posted 12 days ago

aperaMarienthal (KS)
Aerospace EngineersAircraft Manufacturing

SENIORITY

Senior

SALARY

$144,000 - $262,000 per year

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About the role

Autonomous Aircraft | Developmental Flight Test | Flight Operations
Location: Wichita, Kansas, USA | On-site
The Opportunity: An innovative defense technology company is developing next-generation autonomous aircraft and is seeking a Staff Flight Test Engineer to lead ground and flight test campaigns for an advanced VTOL jet platform. This is a senior technical role with responsibility for flight test strategy, aircraft readiness, test execution and flight envelope expansion. You'll work closely with engineering, autonomy and flight operations teams to ensure safe, effective testing and accelerate aircraft development.
Key Responsibilities: Lead ground and flight test campaigns, from planning through execution and post-test analysis. Develop test plans, flight test cards, success criteria, risk assessments and safety documentation. Coordinate mission control room operations, telemetry monitoring and pre-flight/post-flight activities. Support hover, transition and forward-flight testing, evaluating aircraft systems, flight controls and autonomy. Lead test readiness reviews and contribute to hazard analyses and operational risk assessments. Analyse flight data, troubleshoot anomalies and drive corrective actions. Coordinate with engineering, avionics, instrumentation, maintenance and flight operations teams. Produce technical reports and support test range operations and remote deployments.
What We're Looking For:
  • Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline.5-10+ years of experience in developmental flight testing, UAS, aircraft integration or aerospace systems engineering.
  • Strong knowledge of aircraft systems, flight dynamics, avionics, telemetry and control systems.
  • Proven experience developing and executing flight test plans and analysing test data.
  • Strong troubleshooting, communication and technical leadership skills.
  • Active Secret security clearance.
  • Willingness to travel up to 80% for candidates outside the Wichita area, with flexibility for overtime and weekend testing.
  • Desirable: Group 4-5 UAS or fighter aircraft experience, mission control room operations using IADS or similar systems, autonomy and C2 systems, flight test instrumentation, and FAA or military test range operations.
  • What's on Offer?$144,000-$262,000 annual salary
  • Bonus and equity.
  • Comprehensive benefits package.
  • The opportunity to shape flight testing for next-generation autonomous aircraft.
  • Interested? Apply now and let's discuss the role in more detail.

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