Technical Director, Flight Test Engineering

Honda Aircraft Company, LLC • Greensboro, NC

2d

About The Position

The Technical Director, Flight Test Engineering leads technical and programmatic planning and execution of flight and ground testing throughout the product development lifecycle. The role ensures test programs are conducted safely, compliantly, on schedule, and with technical rigor in support of product certification and business objectives.

The Director develops and oversees flight and ground test strategies, procedures, and execution, with emphasis on safety, quality, reliability, regulatory compliance, and product performance. The role also manages integrated schedules, test program plans and budgets, personnel and material resources, and risk and issue plans, and reports status and recovery actions to leadership.

The Director leads, mentors, trains, and equips Flight Test Engineers; establishes staffing and skill requirements and development programs for test directors, test conductors, and telemetry control room operations; and coordinates with safety, compliance, and certification organizations to support regulatory compliance and FAA-compatible procedures. The role develops and supports flight test engineering tools, processes, and software; oversees test data review and analysis; and recommends product improvements, risk mitigation, and closure of major technical issues.

Serving as a liaison among engineering, program management, flight operations, finance, suppliers, and senior leadership, the Director drives continuous improvement and industry best practices and ensures close collaboration among the FTE Department, Flight Operations, Coordination Department, and Flight Test Instrumentation Department. The position involves exposure to operational equipment noise, temperature extremes, dust, and aircraft equipment, parts, or fuel odors. Work may require prolonged standing, sitting, squatting, walking, bending, ladder climbing, moving, reaching, or stretching, as well as moving items up to 10 pounds without assistance and materials or equipment weighing up to 50 pounds or more with company-provided assistance technology. Employees must work safely and professionally, comply with applicable regulations, and communicate effectively in Business English.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• At least 15 years of experience as a Flight Test Engineer; experience in commercial aviation, general aviation, or defense may be considered.
• Demonstrated expertise in flight testing.
• Experience developing integrated master schedules and budgets.
• Experience leading diverse technical teams.
• Expertise with flight test data analysis tools and software.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, documentation, and team-management skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively in Business English.
• Ability to perform the described physical activities, including moving items up to 10 pounds without assistance and materials or equipment weighing 50 pounds or more with company-provided assistance technology.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree.
• Significant leadership responsibility in Flight Test Engineer experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, implementation, and oversight of flight and ground test strategies, procedures, and execution across the product lifecycle.
• Develop and manage integrated master schedules, flight test program plans and budgets, personnel and material resource plans, and risk and issue management plans; report status and recovery actions to leadership.
• Lead, mentor, train, and equip Flight Test Engineers; define skill mix, staffing requirements, and development programs for test directors, test conductors, and telemetry control room operations.
• Coordinate with internal safety, compliance, and certification organizations to ensure regulatory and industry compliance, including development of FAA-compatible flight test procedures.
• Develop, field, and support flight test engineering tools, processes, and software for acquiring, managing, analyzing, and documenting flight test data.
• Organize and oversee review and analysis of test data and results, recommending product improvements, risk mitigation, and closure of major technical issues.
• Serve as liaison among engineering groups, program management, flight operations, finance, suppliers, and senior leadership.
• Drive continuous improvement and adoption of relevant industry best practices.
• Ensure close collaboration among the FTE Department, Flight Operations, Coordination Department, and Flight Test Instrumentation Department.

What This Job Offers

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