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Entry Level Flight Test Engineer Jobs in California

Kelly Services

Flight Test Operator

Bay Point, CA · On-site

You'll work closely with engineering and flight leads to execute test flights safely, efficiently, and with precision--helping shape the future of autonomous aerial systems. You will be reporting to ...

Joby Aviation

Flight Test Aircraft Engineer

Marina, CA

$93K - $158K/yr

As a Flight Test Aircraft Engineer, you are the technical authority assigned to the Flight Test aircraft assets. Joining Joby's Flight Test department, you will become integral to managing the ...

Joby Aviation

Flight Test Aircraft Engineer

Marina, CA · On-site

$93K - $158K/yr

Overview As a Flight Test Aircraft Engineer, you are the technical authority assigned to the Flight Test aircraft assets. Joining Joby's Flight Test department, you will become integral to managing ...

Joby Aviation

Flight Test Aircraft Engineer

Marina, CA · On-site

$93K - $158K/yr

Overview As a Flight Test Aircraft Engineer, you are the technical authority assigned to the Flight Test aircraft assets. Joining Joby's Flight Test department, you will become integral to managing ...

LLNL

Flight Test Mission Engineer

Livermore, CA · On-site

We have an opening for a Mission Execution Engineer to support the Flight Test Group. The Flight Test Group is a fast-paced, cross-disciplinary team that specializes in rapid development of reliable ...

LLNL

Flight Test Mission Engineer

Livermore, CA · On-site

We have an opening for a Mission Execution Engineer to support the Flight Test Group. The Flight Test Group is a fast-paced, cross-disciplinary team that specializes in rapid development of reliable ...

LLNL

Flight Test Mission Engineer

Livermore, CA · On-site

We have an opening for a Mission Execution Engineer to support the Flight Test Group. The Flight Test Group is a fast-paced, cross-disciplinary team that specializes in rapid development of reliable ...

Seneca

UAS Flight Test Technician

Sausalito, CA · On-site

$80K - $130K/yr

You'll have full stop authority during tests and clear, structured support from experienced engineers. What You'll Do: * Deliver reliable aircraft readiness: Run pre/post-flight checks, assemble ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsFlight Test Engineer JobsEntry Level Flight Test Engineer JobsEntry Level Flight Test Engineer Jobs in California

Entry Level Flight Test Engineer information

See California salary details

$42.9K

$133.1K

$201.3K

How much do entry level flight test engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level flight test engineer in California is $133,118.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,100.00 and $157,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an entry level flight test engineer do?

An Entry Level Flight Test Engineer supports the planning, execution, and analysis of flight tests for aircraft and aerospace systems. They assist in developing test plans, collecting data, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring compliance with safety and performance standards. This role involves working closely with senior engineers, pilots, and technicians to validate aircraft functionality and system performance. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a foundational understanding of aerodynamics and avionics are essential.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level flight test engineer?

To thrive as an Entry Level Flight Test Engineer, you need a background in aerospace or mechanical engineering, a solid understanding of aerodynamics and data analysis, and often a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with data acquisition systems, control theory, flight simulation software, and sometimes certification in FAA or military testing protocols are important technical aspects. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, teamwork, and effective communication skills help set candidates apart. These abilities ensure safe, accurate testing and successful collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, which are crucial for developing and validating aircraft performance.

What types of projects or aircraft could I expect to work on as an entry level flight test engineer?

As an Entry Level Flight Test Engineer, you may work on a variety of flight test campaigns, ranging from testing new aircraft prototypes to evaluating modifications on existing platforms, such as fixed-wing airplanes, helicopters, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Early in your career, your responsibilities may include supporting instrumentation setup, assisting in mission planning, and collecting and analyzing test data under the guidance of senior engineers. You’ll likely rotate through different project teams, gaining exposure to various flight systems, test protocols, and data analysis techniques. This hands-on experience provides valuable insight into the full aircraft development and certification process while supporting your professional growth in the aerospace field.

What are the most commonly searched types of Flight Test Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Flight Test Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Flight Test Engineer jobs in California?

For Entry Level Flight Test Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Flight Test Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Flight Test Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Flight Test Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Entry Level Flight Test Engineer job openings:

Entry Level Flight Test Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Flight Test Engineer job openings in California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $133,118 per year, or $64 per hour.

WEAPONS TEST & EVALUATION FLIGHT TEST ENGINEER

China Lake, CA • On-site

US Department of the Navy
National Security • 10K+ employees
Learn more about US Department of the Navyexternal

$104K/yr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago

United States Navy rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 381 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

This is a public notice flyer to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies. Applications will not be accepted through this flyer. Interested applicants must follow the directions in the "How to Apply" section of this flyer to be considered. There may or may not be actual vacancies filled from this flyer. Notice of Result letters will not be sent to applicants who respond to this flyer.
Qualifications:Your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 grade level or DP-03 pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following:
  • Experience with planning, execution and analysis of complex Test and Evaluation (T&E) events for aviation systems or subsystems to support system performance and requirements testability;
  • Experience creating test plans, flight test cards and detailed test procedures, in accordance with instruction;
  • Experience performing technical analysis of flight test data and authoring comprehensive reports.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.Education:Applicants must meet the following basic education requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual:

For 08XX Series:

A) Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.

OR

B) Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

1. Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1, or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.

2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)2 examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

3. Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.

4. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all inclusive.)

Employment Type: OTHER

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National security, national security and international affairs, public safety statistics centers and offices, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

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