Flight Test Engineer

AEVEX • Poway, CA

3h • $125,000 - $150,000 • Onsite

About The Position

This onsite Flight Test Engineer position supports development testing for MQ-9 and Predator B variants, including top-level development test program design for the Medium Altitude UAS division’s AFLCMC/Det 3 MQ-9 sustainment efforts in California. The role provides advisory support and recommends areas of focus for project execution, applying test-and-evaluation expertise, project execution experience, and management procedures and controls. Domestic travel is required approximately 25% of the time.

The engineer supports flight-test planning and operations through execution, data collection and analysis, reporting, and recommendations. The role coordinates with government organizations, program offices, prime contractors, subcontractors, and other test organizations to support test approvals, safety, scheduling, modifications, resource planning, and timely completion of flight tests. It also provides technical and project leadership, advises on problem-solving and priorities, and supports system configuration, airworthiness, risk analysis, and military flight-release activities.

The position requires a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering and substantial aeronautical engineering experience, including DoD experience. The successful candidate must be able to obtain or maintain a Top Secret/SCI DoD clearance and be a U.S. citizen. The listed starting salary range is $125,000–$150,000 for the specified location. AEVEX offers a comprehensive benefits package to qualified employees.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering.
• With a bachelor's degree, 12 years of experience in aeronautical engineering; with a master's degree, 10 years of related experience.
• At least five years of experience in the Department of Defense (DoD).
• Test-and-evaluation experience in an aerospace program, with the knowledge, experience, and recognized ability to be considered an aviation test engineering expert.
• Ability to understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately in an evolving environment.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills to interface effectively with departments, customers, government representatives, and other professionals.
• Ability to represent the organization as a prime technical contact.
• Ability to provide leadership and guidance to less experienced professionals.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI DoD security clearance.
• U.S. citizenship required.
• Proficiency with the MS Office productivity suite.
• Ability to travel domestically approximately 25%.
• Meet the physical demands of the role, with reasonable accommodations available as described in the posting.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with UAS flight testing.
• Degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program.

Responsibilities

• Provide advisory, review, or drafting support for development test plans and safety packages prepared by the USAF, prime weapon-system contractor, and associated contractors; attend test-planning working groups and test-interface meetings.
• Provide advisory assistance to the Government for UAS incidents requiring safety and accident investigations.
• Perform flight-testing activities from initial planning and operations through execution, data collection, reduction and analysis, report writing, and recommendations to support on-time completion.
• Provide project-officer leadership to plan and execute developed tests, or serve as project engineer or flight test engineer as required.
• Advise the Government on problem-solving and recommend courses of action to optimize management of personnel and equipment and accomplish flight tests on time.
• Interface with test organizations to support test and safety plan approvals, communicate program-office priorities, and address daily scheduling issues.
• Interface with prime contractors and subcontractors to prioritize and schedule test-item modifications, maintenance, and flight-test requirements.
• Review modification packages for air vehicles, ground control stations, and other support equipment, and identify potential issues.
• Develop briefings and reports to update program leadership on progress.
• Work with the System Program Office to obtain required airworthiness assessments, risk analyses, and military flight releases.
• Assess and evaluate subjective and objective data acquired through test execution.
• Assist the Government with planning and executing system configurations and troubleshooting configurations to support required sorties.
• Facilitate scheduling of unique test resources, such as ranges and weapons, and flight-test activities.
• Review proposals for validity and identify potential discrepancies relating to flight-test requirements.
• Support the program and other PMs by providing test advice, recommending priorities, performing resource planning, identifying constraints, and recommending inputs to deficiency identification and correction actions.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance on a full-time basis or in accordance with the posted schedule.
• Exhibit professional behavior with internal and external business associates and align daily actions with company policies, department goals, and company culture.

Benefits

• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance group coverage, with a portion of premiums paid by the company.
• Professional development funds.
• Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), including counseling, legal help, and child and elder care support, among other benefits for qualified employees.

What This Job Offers

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