Flight Test Engineer, Staff (R5898)

Job Description:

What you'll do:

• Develop, publish, and execute comprehensive flight test plans, procedures, cards, risk assessments, safety, and readiness reviews 
• Support integration and test of aircraft systems, payloads, comms/data links, software, ground control systems, and mission equipment 
• Lead and coordinate pre-flight, flight, and post-flight activities, including system configuration, instrumentation, telemetry, data collection and test reports 
• Analyze ground and flight test data to identify performance trends, anomalies, root causes, and corrective actions 
• Coordinate with engineering teams to validate requirements, troubleshoot issues, and mature system capabilities 
• Lead or participate in test range operations, safety briefings, go/no-go decisions, and test setup and logistics  
• Document test results, lessons learned, anomalies, and recommendations in clear technical reports 
• Support aircraft maintenance, configuration control, and system readiness 
• Create and improve flight test processes, tools, data workflows, and operational efficiency 
• Create and maintain ground and air operating limitations requirements  
• Travel to test sites, customer locations, and field exercises as required 

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM Degree) 
• 5-10 years of experience with developmental and/or operational ground and flight test, unmanned/manned aircraft systems, aircraft integration, or aerospace systems engineering 
• Strong understanding of aircraft systems, flight dynamics, avionics, telemetry, sensors, or control systems  
• Proven ability to write and execute structured test plans, procedures, and reports 
• Strong troubleshooting skills in field and/or lab environments 
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work across engineering and operations teams 
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 80% for candidates not based in the Wichita Metro Area, including travel to test sites, ranges, and other field locations
• Overtime and weekend coverage as required 
• Active Secret Security Clearance

Preferred qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience with developmental and/or operational ground and flight test, unmanned aircraft systems, aircraft integration, or aerospace systems engineering 
• Experience in Group 4-5 UAS and/or fighter type capability or similar weapons systems 
• Familiarity with FAA, DoW, and test range flight operations 
• Experience with autonomy, navigation, mission planning, and Command-and-Control (C2) systems 
• Hands-on experience with aircraft maintenance, avionics integration, payload integration, and ground support equipment  
• Experience with telemetry systems, flight and data logs, sensor data, datalinks, and RF systems 
• Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate or crewed aviation experience 
• Proven Mission Control Room experience using Integrated Analysis & Data System (IADS) or similar development FTI display system  
• Experience leading or supporting developmental flight test campaigns from design through planning and execution to include reporting 

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is practical, detail-oriented engineer who is comfortable in control rooms, hangar/maintenance areas, and office type environments. You can write a detailed test plan, troubleshoot hardware and software at a test site, analyze flight data, and communicate clearly under operational pressure. You are safety-minded, have high technical acumen, and motivated by building and validating advanced and complex aircraft systems