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Flight Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Elroy Air

Flight Sciences Engineer

Byron, CA · Hybrid

As a Flight Sciences Engineer at Elroy Air, you will own performance analysis, flight dynamics, and configuration trades across our hybrid-electric lift+cruise VTOL program. You will be the ...

Icarus

Flight Operations Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

The Flight Operations Engineer takes our aircraft from the hangar to the sky and back, and owns the technical depth behind every flight. You set up the test site, prepare the aircraft, run preflight ...

Icarus

Flight Operations Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

The Flight Operations Engineer takes our aircraft from the hangar to the sky and back, and owns the technical depth behind every flight. You set up the test site, prepare the aircraft, run preflight ...

Icarus

Flight Operations Engineer

El Segundo, CA

The Flight Operations Engineer takes our aircraft from the hangar to the sky and back, and owns the technical depth behind every flight. You set up the test site, prepare the aircraft, run preflight ...

Elroy Air

Flight Sciences Engineer

Byron, CA · On-site

As a Flight Sciences Engineer at Elroy Air, you will own performance analysis, flight dynamics, and configuration trades across our hybrid-electric lift+cruise VTOL program. You will be the ...

Elroy Air

Flight Sciences Engineer

Byron, CA · Hybrid

$203K - $280K/yr

As a Flight Sciences Engineer at Elroy Air, you will own performance analysis, flight dynamics, and configuration trades across our hybrid-electric lift+cruise VTOL program. You will be the ...

Stratolaunch

Flight Sciences Engineer

Mojave, CA · Hybrid

As a Flight Science Engineer, you will contribute to a small hypersonic advanced design team, designing current and future Stratolaunch hypersonic vehicles. Your tasking may include conceptual design ...

Stratolaunch

Flight Sciences Engineer

Mojave, CA · On-site

As a Flight Science Engineer, you will contribute to a small hypersonic advanced design team, designing current and future Stratolaunch hypersonic vehicles. Your tasking may include conceptual design ...

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Flight Engineer information

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$46.5K

$118.5K

$260.5K

How much do flight engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for flight engineer in the United States is $118,512.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $95,000.00 and $115,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Flight Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Flight Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical and aeronautical engineering principles, typically supported by an associate's or bachelor's degree and relevant licensure or certification. Familiarity with aircraft systems, diagnostic tools, and flight management computers is essential for managing in-flight operations and troubleshooting issues. Strong attention to detail, communication, and problem-solving skills help Flight Engineers work effectively with pilots and maintenance crews. These skills are crucial for ensuring safe, efficient aircraft operation and prompt resolution of technical challenges during flights.

How much money do flight engineers make?

Flight engineers typically earn a median annual salary of around $80,000 to $130,000, depending on experience, airline, and location. They often work long hours and require certifications such as an FAA Airframe and Powerplant license or equivalent. Salaries can increase with seniority and specialized skills in aircraft systems and maintenance.

Is flight engineer still a job?

Yes, the flight engineer role still exists, primarily in certain types of aircraft such as military planes and some cargo or specialized aircraft. However, the position has become less common in commercial aviation due to automation and modern aircraft systems, with many responsibilities now handled by pilots and onboard technology. Certification and technical skills remain important for those pursuing this career.

How does a Flight Engineer collaborate with pilots and maintenance crews during a typical flight operation?

A Flight Engineer works closely with pilots in the cockpit to monitor and manage all aircraft systems, such as engines, fuel, and hydraulics, ensuring optimal performance and safety throughout the flight. They regularly communicate with maintenance crews before and after flights to discuss technical issues, prepare aircraft for departures, and log any discrepancies for follow-up repairs. This collaborative environment requires strong teamwork, technical expertise, and clear communication to ensure safe and efficient flight operations.

What do flight engineers do?

Flight engineers are responsible for monitoring and operating aircraft systems during flight, including engines, hydraulics, and electrical systems. They assist pilots with technical issues, perform pre-flight checks, and ensure safety protocols are followed, often working in the cockpit or engineering station. Certification and technical knowledge are essential for this role.

What are flight engineers?

Flight engineers are specialized crew members responsible for monitoring and operating complex aircraft systems during flights. They assist pilots by managing engines, fuel, electrical, and environmental controls, ensuring that the aircraft operates safely and efficiently. While modern aircraft often automate many of these tasks, flight engineers remain essential on older, multi-crew airplanes and in certain specialized aviation roles. They play a key role in troubleshooting issues and optimizing aircraft performance during flight.

What is the difference between Flight Engineer vs Aircraft Maintenance Engineer?

AspectFlight EngineerAircraft Maintenance Engineer
CredentialsFAA/AESA certifications, engineering degree often preferredAircraft Maintenance Engineer license, certifications in aircraft systems
Work EnvironmentOnboard aircraft during flights, in flight operationsMaintenance hangars, repair facilities, and on aircraft ground checks
Industry UsageCommercial and cargo airlines, military aviationAircraft maintenance companies, airline ground operations
Primary RoleMonitor aircraft systems during flight, assist pilotsInspect, repair, and maintain aircraft systems on the ground

While both roles involve aircraft systems, Flight Engineers focus on monitoring and supporting aircraft operations during flights, whereas Aircraft Maintenance Engineers handle ground-based inspections and repairs. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and employer expectations in aviation.

What Is a Flight Engineer?

As a flight engineer, it is your job to monitor an airplane’s instrument systems during flight. Your main duties are to regulate cabin pressure, communicate with dispatchers, oversee fuel use, and assist the pilot. The career requires aviation experience as well as a flight engineer (FE) license from the Federal Aviation Administration. Most commercial airlines require additional qualifications such as a bachelor’s degree in aviation. You must receive regular training throughout your career to keep your license.

What engineering jobs pay $500,000?

High-level aerospace and aviation engineering roles, such as senior flight engineers or aerospace project managers, can reach or exceed $500,000 annually with experience, bonuses, and specialized skills. These positions often require advanced certifications, extensive experience, and work in high-stakes environments like commercial or military aviation. Compensation varies based on industry, location, and level of responsibility.
More about Flight Engineer jobs
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Who are the top companies hiring for Flight Engineer jobs? The top employers for Flight Engineer jobs are:
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Flight Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Flight Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 84% In-person, 8% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,512 per year, or $57 per hour.
Flight Sciences Engineer

Flight Sciences Engineer

Elroy Air

Byron, CA • Hybrid

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago

Job description

At Elroy Air, we build autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) cargo aircraft systems to change the way the world moves goods. Transporting cargo by air is faster and more direct than by land or sea, but before recent technological and regulatory developments, it was prohibitively expensive. We've set out to expand middle-mile logistics possibilities across multiple sectors, with our sights on a $420Bn global total addressable market for cargo logistics across defense, commercial and rapid response.
 
The commercial express shipping industry needs faster, better solutions - and our armed forces are increasingly prioritizing new unmanned aerial cargo delivery systems.
 
These partners and customers are already responding enthusiastically to the system we've built. As we mature and deploy these systems, we are looking for people like you: motivated collaborators, excited by our mission and by the rare opportunity to improve how logistics works around the world. You will play an important role in establishing the Elroy Air Chaparral as the industry standard in this massive market.
 
We believe diverse perspectives at all levels of the organization are critical to innovation and employee development. This includes but is not limited to gender identity, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender expression, religion, age, ability, parenthood status, veteran status, educational background, citizenship status, or any combination of these characteristics.

As a Flight Sciences Engineer at Elroy Air, you will own performance analysis, flight dynamics, and configuration trades across our hybrid-electric lift+cruise VTOL program. You will be the analytical backbone of the vehicle team - reasoning across hover, transition, and cruise regimes, and working directly with propulsion, structures, and controls engineers to drive decisions from early concept through certification.

What you'll own:
  • Own vehicle performance modeling across hover, transition, and cruise: mission analysis, hybrid-electric energy management, climb optimization, and range/endurance trades
  • Build and maintain 6-DOF flight dynamics models for a lift+cruise configuration: aero database construction through the transition corridor, rotor-wing interaction modeling, stability derivatives, and trim analysis in hover, transition, and cruise
  • Contribute to vehicle design trades: feed flight sciences insight into OML shaping, drag reduction, control surface sizing, and flight controls architecture to close performance and handling qualities requirements
  • Derive external flight loads across the operational envelope and collaborate with the structures team to define limit and ultimate load cases, support fatigue analysis, and feed aeroelastic models
  • Support flight test planning, instrumentation requirements, and post-flight data reduction and analysis; correlate measured performance against analytical predictions
  • Build and improve simulation environments used for envelope expansion, handling qualities assessment, and controls development
  • Partner with propulsion and power teams to integrate hybrid-electric powertrain models into mission analysis; define power-required envelopes and binding constraints across the flight profile
  • Contribute to certification planning by authoring compliance analyses, performance substantiation reports, and supporting V&V documentation
Our Ideal Candidate
  • B.S. or M.S. in Aerospace Engineering or a closely related field
  • 5+ years of meaningful hands-on experience in flight sciences, vehicle performance, or flight dynamics
  • Proficiency in vehicle performance modeling: energy-based methods, point-mass and full 6-DOF simulation, power-required/available analysis
  • Experience building or working with aerodynamic databases and stability derivative sets for flight simulation or loads analysis
  • Familiarity with flight test methods: test card development, FTI requirements, data reduction, and prediction-to-flight correlation
  • Strong programming skills in Python and/or MATLAB for analysis, post-processing, and tool development
  • Solid understanding of fixed-wing, rotary-wing, or hybrid lift+cruise vehicle aeromechanics
  • Working proficiency with aerodynamic analysis tools across fidelity levels - from low-order methods (panel codes, blade element, XFOIL) through mid-fidelity (RANS CFD): sufficient to set up runs, interpret results, and interface with dedicated CFD engineers
  • Clear technical communication skills: able to distill complex analysis into concise summaries for engineering and program leadership
Bonus Points For:
  • Direct experience with eVTOL, tiltrotor, or lift+cruise configurations - including transition corridor analysis, transition schedule definition, and rotor-wing aerodynamic interaction
  • Background in hybrid-electric propulsion performance modeling: energy management strategy, battery sizing trades, and BSFC/TSFC integration into mission analysis
  • Experience designing internal flows, including ducting, intakes, and cooling flows
  • Rotor and/or propeller design experience
  • Handling qualities assessment experience using ADS-33 or FAA/EASA equivalents
  • Exposure to flight simulation environments: JSBSim, Simulink/FlightGear, or equivalent
  • Experience with certification under FAA Part 23, Part 27, or EASA SC-VTOL frameworks
  • Background in aeroelastics or structural loads as they relate to flight envelope definition
$203,000 - $280,000 a year
We encourage you to apply even if you aren't an exact match for our open role as many of our team members come from nontraditional backgrounds.
 
All employees will be screened through E-Verify.
 
This position will require access to information protected under U.S. export control laws and regulations, including Export Administration Regulations (EAR).  Please note that any offer for employment will be conditioned on any required authorization to receive software or technology controlled under these U.S. export control laws and regulations necessary to perform the responsibilities of the position.
 
Elroy Air does not engage with external recruiting agencies/individual recruiters that we do not have a written agreement with and all employment activities are managed through our internal team. We reserve the right to make use of any unsolicited resumes received without being responsible for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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