Flight Test Engineer

Mach Industries • Huntington Beach, CA

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About The Position

Mach Industries is seeking an entry-level Flight Test Engineer to support the planning, execution, and analysis of ground and flight testing for autonomous aircraft and related systems. The role works with design engineering, systems engineering, manufacturing, and Flight Operations to translate technical requirements into safe, executable tests. The engineer will develop test procedures, configure instrumentation, support test execution, evaluate results, and document whether test objectives were achieved. The position offers hands-on experience testing rapidly evolving aerospace systems.

The role includes supporting test readiness reviews and execution, analyzing test data, maintaining traceable technical records, and contributing to post-test reviews and process improvements. The engineer must be able to work safely in a fast-moving development environment, travel domestically and internationally, and support testing outside normal business hours when required. Employment may require access to information controlled under U.S. export laws and regulations; applicants must meet applicable export-control requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, robotics, systems engineering, or a related technical field.
• Understanding of basic systems-engineering principles.
• Ability to interpret technical requirements and convert them into measurable test objectives.
• Familiarity with engineering data analysis using Excel, Python, MATLAB, or similar tools.
• Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to read engineering drawings, schematics, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work directly with aircraft, test equipment, and field teams.
• Ability to work safely in a fast-moving development environment where configurations and schedules may change rapidly.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally and support testing outside normal business hours when required.
• Ability to meet applicable U.S. export-control requirements.
• Availability to work extended hours and weekends as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Internship, academic, military, or professional experience involving aerospace testing, robotics, UAS, or autonomous systems.
• Previous ground-test or flight-test support experience.
• Experience developing test procedures or test cards.
• Familiarity with instrumentation, telemetry, data acquisition, or sensor integration.
• Experience integrating mechanical, electrical, avionics, or communications hardware.
• Familiarity with aircraft systems, autopilots, ground-control stations, or UAS operations.
• Experience participating in requirements reviews, test-readiness reviews, or failure investigations.
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
• Active or previously held U.S. security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Translate system and subsystem requirements into measurable test objectives.
• Develop ground-test and flight-test procedures, test cards, test plans, readiness documentation, and test matrices.
• Define test success criteria and identify the data needed to evaluate them.
• Support subsystem, integration, and vehicle-level test design, coordinating requirements with engineering and Flight Operations personnel.
• Support Flight Readiness Reviews, Test Readiness Reviews, and other pre-test reviews; coordinate pre-test actions and verify test objectives are understood.
• Assist with test-hazard identification and mitigation and verify readiness of aircraft configuration, software, instrumentation, equipment, personnel, test sites, and data-acquisition systems.
• Support ground testing, hardware integration, and flight-test activities.
• Configure and verify instrumentation, telemetry, data-acquisition equipment, and test fixtures.
• Serve in assigned test-team positions under the direction of a Test Director or lead Flight Test Engineer.
• Monitor test progress and communicate deviations, hazards, and unexpected behavior.
• Record test discrepancies, squawks, configuration changes, and operator observations.
• Work with Flight Operations while maintaining clear ownership boundaries between test direction and vehicle operation.
• Collect, organize, and review test data and perform log analysis using tools such as Nominal, Excel, Python, or MATLAB.
• Compare test results against requirements and success criteria; support root-cause investigations and verification of corrective actions.
• Complete Flight Test Data Reports and other test records, and write reports documenting configurations, methods, results, discrepancies, and conclusions.
• Maintain traceable flight-test records and technical documentation.
• Participate in post-test reviews and lessons-learned discussions.
• Recommend improvements to test procedures, tools, instrumentation, and workflows, and help improve testing repeatability and efficiency.
• Maintain current templates, checklists, and test documentation.

Benefits

• Performance-based bonus structure tied to individual and company performance.
• Stock options or equity participation.
• Healthcare, dental, and vision plans.
• Retirement savings plans.
• Paid time off.
• Funds for continuing education, training, and career growth.
• Competitive compensation and equity grants included in most offers.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level