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Flight Performance Engineer Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

GNC Engineer V/VI

Fort Walton Beach, FL ยท On-site

$216K - $250K/yr

Engineers in this role will contribute to strategic initiatives, ensure high performance in flight control systems, and lead efforts from concept to flight testing. Responsibilities: * Technical ...

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Flight Performance Engineer information

See Florida salary details

$8

$44

$73

How much do flight performance engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of May 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for flight performance engineer in Florida is $44.92, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36.83 and $50.82 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Flight Performance Engineer, you need a strong background in aerospace engineering, physics, and mathematics, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency in simulation software (such as MATLAB, Simulink, or flight performance analysis tools) and knowledge of regulatory standards are essential. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills set exceptional candidates apart in this field. These skills are critical for ensuring accurate performance calculations, regulatory compliance, and effective collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to guarantee safe and efficient aircraft operations.

What are some common challenges faced by Flight Performance Engineers when collaborating with cross-functional teams?

Flight Performance Engineers frequently work with teams from avionics, propulsion, aerodynamics, and operations. A common challenge is translating complex performance data into actionable insights that are understandable to colleagues from different technical backgrounds. Additionally, aligning performance requirements with design and regulatory constraints often requires strong communication and negotiation skills. Successful Flight Performance Engineers proactively foster open dialogue and use data visualization or simulation tools to bridge knowledge gaps and ensure all stakeholders are aligned on project goals.

What are Flight Performance Engineers?

Flight Performance Engineers are specialized professionals responsible for analyzing and optimizing the performance of aircraft during all phases of flight. They assess factors such as fuel efficiency, payload, climb rates, and range to ensure aircraft operate safely and efficiently. Their work involves using advanced software models, interpreting flight test data, and collaborating with design and operations teams to improve aircraft performance and meet regulatory standards.

What is the difference between Flight Performance Engineer vs Flight Test Engineer?

AspectFlight Performance EngineerFlight Test Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in aerospace, mechanical, or related engineering; often certifications in aeronauticsBachelor's in aerospace, mechanical, or related engineering; certifications in testing or aviation
Work EnvironmentAircraft performance analysis, in-flight data monitoring, and optimizationDesign, plan, and execute flight tests, analyze test data
Employer & Industry UsageAirlines, aircraft manufacturers, aerospace companiesAircraft manufacturers, aerospace testing facilities, defense contractors

While both roles involve aircraft and aeronautics, Flight Performance Engineers focus on analyzing and optimizing aircraft performance during flights, whereas Flight Test Engineers design and conduct flight tests to validate aircraft systems. Both roles require similar technical backgrounds but differ in daily tasks and objectives.

What cities in Florida are hiring for Flight Performance Engineer jobs? Cities in Florida with the most Flight Performance Engineer job openings:
Senior/Principal Software Engineer

Senior/Principal Software Engineer

Red Canyon Engineering & Software

Merritt Island, FL โ€ข On-site, Remote

$130K - $200K/yr

Contractor

Posted yesterday


Job description

Senior / Principal Flight Software Engineer - Space Systems
*REMOTE*
Working with a leading U.S. aerospace company looking to add Senior and Principal-level Flight Software Engineers to their satellite team.
This is a hands-on role focused on building and testing embedded flight software for spacecraft, with exposure across the full mission lifecycle. from early concept through on-orbit operations.
What you'll be doing:
  • Develop and test embedded C/C++ flight software for satellite platforms
  • Contribute across the full lifecycle:
  • Requirements definition & trade studies
  • Software architecture & development
  • Integration with flight hardware
  • Verification, validation, and operations
  • Support GNC-related software integration and system performance analysis
  • Build internal tools to evaluate flight software performance and mission compatibility
  • Work closely with hardware, systems, and test teams in a highly collaborative environment

Testing & Integration:
  • Execute testing across:
  • Unit, module, and system levels
  • Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) / FlatSat environments
  • Develop test frameworks, tools, and ground support software
  • Support debugging, validation, and anomaly resolution

Additional exposure:
  • Contribute to modeling & simulation efforts
  • Support new mission concepts and proposals
  • Evaluate impacts of new hardware, architectures, and mission profiles

What they're looking for:
  • 9-15+ years of experience in software engineering (level dependent)
  • Strong background in embedded software development (C/C++)
  • Experience with flight software, avionics, or aerospace systems
  • Hands-on experience with hardware/software integration and testing
  • Exposure to one or more of the following:
  • GNC algorithms
  • RTOS (VxWorks, Integrity, etc.)
  • Device drivers / BSP / bring-up
  • HIL / simulation environments
  • Software verification & validation
  • Ability to operate as a high-level IC across multiple domains

Education:
  • Bachelor's degree in a STEM field required
  • Master's degree preferred - 7 years of experience
  • >

Travel:
  • Up to ~20% travel (domestic)
  • Occasional international collaboration

Quick take:
This is a high-impact IC role for engineers who want to stay deeply technical while working on cutting-edge spacecraft and flight software systems.
$130,000 - $200,000 a year
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. 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.