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Flight Performance Engineer Jobs in Massachusetts

Merlin Labs

Mechanical Engineer

Boston, MA

... performance industries. You are comfortable owning projects from concept through production and ... Support prototype builds, integration activities, ground testing, and flight test operations

Merlin Labs

Mechanical Engineer

Boston, MA

... performance industries. You are comfortable owning projects from concept through production and ... Support prototype builds, integration activities, ground testing, and flight test operations

Merlin Labs

Electrical Engineer

Boston, MA

... crew and uncrewed flight. Backed by some of the world's leading investors, Merlin is scaling ... high-performance hardware applications. You enjoy solving challenging technical problems and ...

Merlin Labs

Electrical Engineer

Boston, MA

... crew and uncrewed flight. Backed by some of the world's leading investors, Merlin is scaling ... high-performance hardware applications. You enjoy solving challenging technical problems and ...

Specter Aerospace

Mechanical Engineer I

Peabody, MA · On-site

... andoptimizenovel flight systems to meet internal and customer performance requirements Job ... Fundamental understanding of mechanical engineering principles (statics, materials,thermo/fluids ...

MORSE Corp

Embedded Software Engineer

Cambridge, MA

$143K - $189K/yr

... performance. You will play a critical role in flight testing by defining test objectives ... and software engineering is strongly desired. Finally, the ideal candidate should be able to ...

Draper

Flight Software Engineer

Cambridge, MA · On-site +1

$75K - $156K/yr

The Software Engineer 2 develops high performance solutions for resource constrained targets. Develops next-generation resilient and fault tolerant software solutions in the application domains of ...

Draper

Flight Software Engineer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$75K - $156K/yr

The Software Engineer 2 develops high performance solutions for resource constrained targets. Develops next-generation resilient and fault tolerant software solutions in the application domains of ...

Draper

Flight Software Engineer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$62K - $140K/yr

The Mission Critical Software Engineer 1 develops high performance solutions for resource constrained targets. They develop next-generation resilient, fault tolerant, real-time, highly reliable ...

MORSE Corp

Embedded Software Engineer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$90K - $210K/yr

... performance. You will play a critical role in flight testing by defining test objectives ... and software engineering is strongly desired. Finally, the ideal candidate should be able to ...

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All JobsFlight Performance Engineer JobsFlight Performance Engineer Jobs in Massachusetts

Flight Performance Engineer information

See Massachusetts salary details

$12

$65

$107

How much do flight performance engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for flight performance engineer in Massachusetts is $65.64, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53.80 and $74.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior flight performance engineers or aerospace engineers with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and specialized skills can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially in the aerospace industry. High compensation often reflects leadership roles, complex project responsibilities, or working for major aerospace companies with demanding schedules and technical expertise.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior aerospace or flight performance engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills, and often working in the aerospace or defense industries can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially with bonuses and stock options. Such high compensation typically requires specialized expertise, leadership roles, or working for major corporations in high-demand sectors.

Is there a demand for Flight Engineers?

The demand for Flight Engineers has decreased significantly with advancements in aircraft automation and modern aircraft design, leading to fewer openings in the field. However, opportunities may still exist in specialized roles, older aircraft maintenance, or in regions with limited automation, requiring relevant certifications and experience. Overall, the role is becoming less common in the aviation industry.

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 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 do aircraft performance engineers do?

Aircraft performance engineers analyze and optimize the performance of aircraft, including fuel efficiency, speed, and handling characteristics. They use flight data, simulations, and engineering tools to ensure aircraft meet safety and efficiency standards, often working closely with design teams and pilots. Strong analytical skills and knowledge of aerodynamics and aircraft systems are essential for this role.
What are popular job titles related to Flight Performance Engineer jobs in Massachusetts? For Flight Performance Engineer jobs in Massachusetts, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Flight Performance Engineer jobs in Massachusetts look for? The top searched job categories for Flight Performance Engineer jobs in Massachusetts are:
What cities in Massachusetts are hiring for Flight Performance Engineer jobs? Cities in Massachusetts with the most Flight Performance Engineer job openings:
Flight Performance Engineer jobs near you
Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

Merlin Labs

Boston, MA

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

Job description

About Merlin:
Merlin is a venture backed aerospace startup building a non-human pilot to enable both reduced crew and uncrewed flight. Backed by some of the world’s leading investors, Merlin is scaling alongside our customers to begin leveraging autonomy today to solve some of aviation’s biggest challenges.

About You: 
You are a hands-on mechanical engineer who thrives in fast-paced, highly collaborative startup environments and is excited by the challenge of building next-generation autonomous aerospace systems. You bring experience designing, developing, and testing complex mechanical hardware for aerospace, robotics, or other highly regulated high-performance industries.
 
You are comfortable owning projects from concept through production and enjoy working closely with cross-functional teams including avionics, flight controls, systems engineering, and flight test. You are detail-oriented, technically curious, and motivated by solving difficult engineering problems under aggressive timelines. You balance analytical rigor with practical execution and are energized by working on products that push the boundaries of autonomous flight.
Responsibilities:
  • Design, develop, and release mechanical components and assemblies for autonomous aircraft systems including structures, enclosures, mounts, actuation systems, and integration hardware
  • Support the full product development lifecycle from concept generation, CAD modeling, prototyping, testing, design iteration, and production release
  • Perform mechanical analysis (structural, thermal, vibration, tolerance, etc.) to validate designs and ensure system reliability
  • Collaborate closely with electrical, avionics, software, systems, manufacturing, and flight test teams to integrate hardware into aircraft platforms
  • Develop engineering documentation including drawings, BOMs, test plans, validation reports, and manufacturing instructions
  • Support prototype builds, integration activities, ground testing, and flight test operations
  • Drive root cause investigations and implement corrective actions for mechanical failures and design issues
  • Work with suppliers and manufacturing partners to support fabrication, qualification, and production readiness
  • Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives focused on performance, manufacturability, weight reduction, reliability, and cost optimization
  • Operate effectively in a rapid development environment with evolving priorities and tight execution timelines
Requirements:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related engineering discipline
  • 3–5 years of professional mechanical engineering experience in aerospace, autonomous systems, robotics, automotive, defense, or other high-performance hardware industries
  • Strong proficiency with CAD software such as Siemens NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, or similar 3D modeling tools
  • Experience designing mechanical systems for dynamic or mission-critical environments
  • Knowledge of mechanical analysis methods including stress, thermal, vibration, and tolerance analysis
  • Experience supporting prototype development, integration, and hardware testing activities
  • Familiarity with aerospace materials, manufacturing processes, and design for manufacturability principles
  • Strong understanding of engineering documentation and configuration control processes
  • Ability to troubleshoot complex mechanical issues and drive solutions in a collaborative environment
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally across engineering and operations teams
  • Experience in autonomous aircraft, UAVs, eVTOL, robotics, or flight hardware development is highly preferred
  • Hands-on mechatronics experience is a plus
  • Familiarity with FAA certification environments, aerospace standards, or regulated development processes is a plus
Merlin Labs offers an innovative, entrepreneurial, and team-focused startup environment. We also offer a top-notch benefits package (health, dental, life, unlimited vacation, and 401k with match) and work/life integration. Being part of the Merlin team allows you to become part of a small team that supports professional development while working together to achieve our mission.

Merlin Labs is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, military service or obligation or disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All job offers are contingent upon the candidate passing background and reference checks.

At this time, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship or consider candidates who require visa transfers. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future. 

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to: people@merlinlabs.com

Merlin Labs does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates.