1

Flight Performance Engineer Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Embedded Software Engineer

Cambridge, MA ยท 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 ...

As a Senior Staff Systems Engineer on Shield AI's next gen UAS program, you will play a pivotal ... Strong background in flight testing, system integration, and performance validation. * Knowledge of ...

Senior Software Engineer

Burlington, MA ยท On-site

$133K - $175K/yr

This is a key engineering role on a deeply technical team building the most capable runway ... system-flight testing to ensure performance and reliability * Support testing, flight ops, and ...

Senior Software Engineer

Burlington, MA ยท On-site +1

$133K - $175K/yr

This is a key engineering role on a deeply technical team building the most capable runway ... system-flight testing to ensure performance and reliability * Support testing, flight ops, and ...

Senior Software Engineer

Burlington, MA ยท On-site +1

$133K - $175K/yr

This is a key engineering role on a deeply technical team building the most capable runway ... system-flight testing to ensure performance and reliability * Support testing, flight ops, and ...

... flight-test environments to validate integrated system performance under realistic operational ... Mentor engineering staff, guide technical development roadmaps, and serve as a senior technical ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Flight Performance Engineer information

See Boston, MA salary details

$12

$65

$106

How much do flight performance engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for flight performance engineer in Boston, MA is $65.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53.56 and $73.89 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 are popular job titles related to Flight Performance Engineer jobs in Boston, MA? For Flight Performance Engineer jobs in Boston, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Flight Performance Engineer jobs in Boston, MA look for? The top searched job categories for Flight Performance Engineer jobs in Boston, MA are:
Embedded Software Engineer

Embedded Software Engineer

MORSE Corp

Cambridge, MA โ€ข On-site

$90K - $210K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago


Job description

MORSE Corp is an employee owned, small business based in Cambridge, MA, Arlington, VA, and Seattle, WA with a history of fielding cutting-edge technology. MORSE boasts a specially selected team of scientists, engineers, and software developers to deliver best-in-class technical solutions that solve difficult multidisciplinary problems faced by the US National Security Ecosystem.
As an Embedded Software Engineer at MORSE, you will be developing software to support Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) R&D programs. In this role, you will be involved with all aspects of the engineering design cycle from concept through deployment.
Your responsibilities will include integrating novel algorithms with flight software to introduce new capabilities for autonomous aircraft, setting up and performing simulations to support integration efforts, and supporting flight tests to evaluate algorithm performance. You will play a critical role in flight testing by defining test objectives, configuring software on aircraft avionics, and operating ground stations to monitor and control aircraft in flight.
Working alongside experts in sensing and control technologies, you will help integrate cutting-edge capabilities into novel platforms and support testing in both lab and field environments. In this position, you are motivated to focus on the intersection of the user, software, and hardware to ensure that deployed autonomous systems can execute their mission successfully while exceeding the customer's expectations.
Responsibilities
  • Develop embedded software for novel fixed wing and multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicles
  • Developing new software functionality for autonomous UAV flight by modifying PX4 autopilot with new software
  • Integrating novel autonomy algorithms into UAV flight software, migrating from Python to C/C++ if necessary
  • Updating and executing simulation software to test and evaluate novel algorithms
  • Supporting the development of preflight planning tools in Python that interface with data and UI tools via web API
  • Interface with technology SMEs to integration new algorithms and subsystems into vehicle platforms.
  • Support flight tests of UAS and UAVs. Including setup, system checkouts, ground station operation, log retrieval and analysis, and debugging.
  • Communicate design status, test results, and suggestions in a timely and efficient manner

Requirements
The ideal candidate will have a strong and diverse background with an emphasis on software development for embedded systems. Prior experience working on multi-disciplinary projects that exist at the confluence of mechanical, electrical, systems, and software engineering is strongly desired. Finally, the ideal candidate should be able to decompose complex problems into their constituent components, devise plans for executing each piece of the problem, and follow-through on solution development, test, and verification.
  • BS or MS in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field
  • 5+ years of embedded software development and experience deploying embedded software
  • Strong proficiency with C/C++, Python, and Rust
  • Familiarity with PX4, Ardupilot, or similar. Integration into commercial platforms and configuration for flight.
  • Experience with RTOS and embedded communication protocols (UART, I2C, CAN, etc)
  • Experience with control hardware setup. Examples include telemetry harness setup, radio configuration, power system installation and monitoring
  • Strong debugging and troubleshooting skills
  • Willingness and desire to travel for, and participate in, field tests up to 10% of each year
  • US CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED and ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance

MORSE Corp's salary range for this role carefully considers a wide range of compensation factors, including but not limited to, prior experience, education, skills and expertise, location, internal equity, and other factors that are job related and consistent with business need. Therefore, final offer amounts may vary from the amount stated. Depending on role eligibility, total compensation may also include bonus, stock, 401(k) match, paid time off, medical, dental, vision and life insurance.
Employees also receive 10 paid holidays per year. MORSE maintains an "open" leave policy that does not restrict exempt, regular full-time employees to a specific number of paid sick or vacation days. However, this policy is not an "unlimited" paid leave policy.
Compensation
$90,000-$210,000 USD
The team at MORSE takes pride in being the smart team that is easy to work with. We focus on steady, long-term success with an emphasis on exceptionalism and delivering mission-critical impact to our customers. For more information, please visit www.morsecorp.com.