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Entry Level Flight Test Engineer Jobs in Riverside, CA

Thales

Test Electrical Engineer | Graduate

Irvine, CA · On-site

We create in-flight entertainment systems that engross 50 million fliers every year and we develop ... Test Electrical Engineer | Graduate Irvine, CA (Onsite) Position Summary Thales is looking for a ...

Thales

Test Electrical Engineer | Graduate

Irvine, CA · On-site

We create in-flight entertainment systems that engross 50 million fliers every year and we develop ... Test Electrical Engineer | Graduate Irvine, CA (Onsite) Position Summary Thales is looking for a ...

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All JobsFlight Test Engineer JobsEntry Level Flight Test Engineer JobsEntry Level Flight Test Engineer Jobs in Riverside, CA

Entry Level Flight Test Engineer information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$45.4K

$140.7K

$212.8K

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

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level flight test engineer in Riverside, CA is $140,721.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $110,100.00 and $166,900.00 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.

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What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Entry Level Flight Test Engineer jobs?

Cities near Riverside, CA 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 Riverside, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $140,721 per year, or $67.7 per hour.

Associate Flight Software Test & Tools Engineer

Irvine, CA • On-site

Terran Orbital Corporation
51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Terran Orbital Corporationexternal

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

Terran Orbital is seeking an experienced Associate Flight Software Test & Tools Engineer  to join our dynamic team. Reporting to the Manager, Flight Software Engineering, the Associate FSW Test & Tools Engineer will support our dynamic Flight Software Engineering team. This role is ideal for earlycareer engineers who want to build a strong foundation in software testing, embedded systems tooling, automation frameworks, and flight software validation workflows. Engineers in this role focus primarily on test execution, test development support, build tools, and automation infrastructure rather than daytoday feature coding. This position is designed as a technical support and growth role within the broader Flight Software organization. You will contribute directly to delivering highquality, reliable flight software for innovative satellite missions.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

  • Support creation and execution of test plans for thorough, consistent, and independent evaluation of flight software
  • Assist in integrating and testing software in simulation, flightreplica, flightvehicle, and hardwareintheloop environments
  • Help develop automated flashing, deployment, and testing workflows for physical devices
  • Contribute to documenting testing procedures, results, and repeatable workflows
  • Create and track bug reports and release tickets in coordination with the development team
  • Support the development of software verification artifacts and compliance documentation
  • Collaborate closely with software, firmware, and FPGA engineers and coordinate release activities with Configuration Management
  • Assist in tracking performance metrics to support continuous improvement in test efficiency and reliability
  • Learn and support installation, configuration, and troubleshooting of embedded and nonembedded toolchains from various vendors
  • Participate in automation of testing processes and iterative improvement of test frameworks
  • Help maintain and enhance software build pipelines (e.g., GitHub Actions, CI/CD systems)
  • Incorporate DevSecOps principles into build and test systems to reduce software risk\

Required Qualifications and Skills

  • B.S. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
  • 0+ years of experience (internships, academic projects, or personal projects are welcome)
  • Interest in testing C/C++ applications for embedded, highperformance, or safetycritical systems
  • Highly motivated, responsible, and eager to learn in a fastpaced engineering environment
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • U.S. Citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

  • Experience with Linux and GNU tools (make, gcc, gdb)
  • Familiarity with virtualization/container tools (VirtualBox, VMWare, Docker, HyperV, or Vagrant)
  • Exposure to C++ build systems such as CMake or Makefiles
  • Basic experience with vulnerability or static analysis tools (cppcheck, dependency-track, CodeQL, JFrog, etc.)
  • Experience building software for embedded processors or microcontrollers
  • Experience with scripting languages such as Bash or Python
  • Experience collaborating on teambased software projects (school, internships, open source, etc.)

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