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Entry Level Flight Test Engineer Jobs in Springfield, VA

Estes Aerospace

Flight Controls Engineer

Vienna, VA · On-site

You will design and build the flight control systems for rockets. You'll take your designs from ... You like to iterate fast and test often, not wait for perfection * Bonus: experience with missile ...

i3

Test Engineer

Washington, DC

$85K - $163K/yr

Overview We're seeking a Test Engineer to support the operation, troubleshooting, and sustainment ... and flight operations, full lifecycle C5ISR engineering services, cybersecurity and IT/IA ...

Lynk

Flight Software Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

Job Summary The Flight Software Engineer at Lynk will be developing flight software applications ... Developing test software to support unit, integration, and system testing of all flight software ...

Battelle

Junior Test Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$65K - $93K/yr

Responsibilities As a Test Engineer - Entry Level, the selected individual will assist senior engineers in the testing and evaluation of critical security systems supporting DHS missions.

Fibertek

Systems Integrator / Test Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$80K - $150K/yr

You will need strong communication skills to coordinate across multidisciplinary engineering teams to lead the critical flight integration and test efforts. Essential Job Duties: Develop test ...

MANTECH

Junior Test Engineer

Washington, DC · Hybrid

Provide entry-level technical support for Test and Evaluation of advanced and innovative ... Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Sciences, or a related field * 1+ years of experience in test and ...

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Entry Level Flight Test Engineer information

See Springfield, VA salary details

$45.4K

$140.9K

$213.1K

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

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level flight test engineer in Springfield, VA is $140,890.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $110,200.00 and $167,100.00 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 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 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 are popular job titles related to Entry Level Flight Test Engineer jobs in Springfield, VA? For Entry Level Flight Test Engineer jobs in Springfield, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Springfield, VA are hiring for Entry Level Flight Test Engineer jobs? Cities near Springfield, VA 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 Springfield, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $140,890 per year, or $67.7 per hour.

Flight Controls Engineer

Estes Aerospace

Vienna, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

You will design and build the flight control systems for rockets. You'll take your designs from concept all the way through simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and live flight test.
What You'll Do
  • Design flight control systems for rockets using thrust vector control, aerodynamic surfaces, and novel actuation approaches
  • Develop and tune control laws (PID, LQR, nonlinear — whatever the problem calls for)
  • Build high-fidelity simulations of your control systems and the vehicles they fly on
  • Run hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing to validate your designs
  • See your work perform in the real world and feed those results back into your next design
What We're Looking For
  • Strong background in control theory and flight dynamics
  • Experience implementing and validating control systems in simulation
  • Comfort working across the hardware/software boundary — you understand both the math and the implementation
  • You like to iterate fast and test often, not wait for perfection
  • Bonus: experience with missile guidance or state estimation

This role is for engineers who want to close the loop — not just model a system, but actually fly it. There's nothing quite like that first flight test.

Estes Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check and verification of information provided by the applicant. Background checks are conducted in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, and criminal history will be considered only to the extent relevant to the position and permitted by law.

This position is subject to ITAR requirements and can only be filled by individuals who are U.S. Persons, as defined by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, 22 C.F.R. § 120.62

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