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Flight Test Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

MORSE Corp

Flight Test Engineer

Cambridge, MA

As Flight Test Engineer at MORSE, you are a critical member of the team taking vehicles from concept to flight leading fast-paced, iterative, and rigorous test campaigns managing both local and ...

Poseidon Aerospace

Flight Test Engineer

California, MO · On-site

As a Flight Test Engineer at Poseidon Aerospace, you will lead the planning, preparation, and execution of flight and ground test campaigns across all Poseidon Aerospace flight platforms . You will ...

Mobius

Flight Test Engineer

Huntsville, AL · On-site

Mobius is seeking a Flight Test Engineer. In this role, you will collaborate with other missile defense experts - military, government civilians, and contractors from Mobius and other companies. Our ...

Joby Aviation

Staff Flight Test Engineer

Marina, CA

$173K - $219K/yr

Overview Joby Aviation is seeking a passionate and driven Staff Fight Test Engineer to join our flight test team. This role presents a unique opportunity to be a technical leader in a broad scope of ...

Joby Aviation

Staff Flight Test Engineer

Marina, CA · On-site

$173K - $219K/yr

Overview Joby Aviation is seeking a passionate and driven Staff Fight Test Engineer to join our flight test team. This role presents a unique opportunity to be a technical leader in a broad scope of ...

Joby Aviation

Staff Flight Test Engineer

Hollister, CA

$173K - $219K/yr

Overview Joby Aviation is seeking a passionate and driven Staff Fight Test Engineer to join our flight test team. This role presents a unique opportunity to be a technical leader in a broad scope of ...

Slope

Flight Test Engineer

San Clemente, CA · On-site

As a Flight Test Engineer you will partner with the Ghost engineering to be responsible for test planning, execution, reporting, and evaluating the system under test (software and/or hardware)

Joby Aviation

Staff Flight Test Engineer

Marina, CA · On-site

$173K - $219K/yr

Joby Aviation is seeking a passionate and driven Staff Fight Test Engineer to join our flight test team. This role presents a unique opportunity to be a technical leader in a broad scope of the ...

Joby Aviation

Staff Flight Test Engineer

California, MO · On-site

$173K - $219K/yr

Overview Joby Aviation is seeking a passionate and driven Staff Fight Test Engineer to join our flight test team. This role presents a unique opportunity to be a technical leader in a broad scope of ...

Canvas

Flight Test Engineer

Eglin, FL · On-site

Develop and staff MOTs, test plans, CONOPS, flight test cards, interim/final reports, TEMPs, T&E strategies, and related documentation; coordinate across flight test engineers, instrumentation teams ...

The Hiring Method, LLC

Flight Test Engineer

Las Vegas, NV · On-site

$92K - $117K/yr

Rather than serving as a full-time pilot, this engineer will lead and oversee flight test activities while working closely with engineers, technicians, and test pilots throughout the product ...

Icarus

Flight Test Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

The Flight Test Engineer makes sure every Icarus flight produces clean, trustworthy engineering data. You build the test cards and criteria, oversee their execution in the field, jump in on parameter ...

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Flight TEST Engineer information

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$43.5K

$134.9K

$204K

How much do flight test engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for flight test engineer in the United States is $134,885.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $105,500.00 and $160,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a flight test engineer?

Flight Test Engineers are specialized professionals who plan, conduct, and analyze tests on aircraft and aerospace systems to ensure they meet safety, performance, and regulatory standards. They collaborate with pilots, design engineers, and technicians to develop test plans, monitor test flights, and interpret data collected during these flights. Their work is crucial in identifying potential issues, validating design changes, and certifying aircraft for operational use. Flight Test Engineers often work for aircraft manufacturers, government agencies, or research organizations.

What does a flight test engineer do?

As a flight test engineer, your job is to oversee testing the operations and performance of aircraft in line with FAA regulations and guidelines from the manufacturer. This job frequently involves planning, managing, coordinating, and executing a full spectrum of aircraft testing, including tests on all mechanical and electronic systems. Some details of this job vary based on the kinds of aircraft with which you work. Flight test engineers may work with everything from single-engine civilian aircraft to large, military planes. Fulfilling the responsibilities and duties of a flight test engineer often requires meeting the qualifications for a security clearance, studying guides and technical manuals, contacting part manufacturers, and excellent communication skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a flight test engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Flight Test Engineer, you need a solid background in aerospace or mechanical engineering, strong analytical abilities, and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with test instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and simulation software—along with certifications like FAA DER or EASA equivalent—are often required. Exceptional problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills help you collaborate effectively with pilots and multidisciplinary teams. These capabilities ensure accurate data collection, safe test operations, and successful validation of aircraft performance and safety standards.

What are some common challenges faced by flight test engineers during the testing process?

Flight Test Engineers often encounter challenges related to balancing safety with the need to gather comprehensive data during test flights. They must coordinate closely with pilots, design teams, and regulatory bodies to ensure all test objectives are met while adhering to strict safety protocols. Weather conditions, unexpected aircraft behavior, and last-minute design changes can also impact test schedules. Effective communication, adaptability, and attention to detail are essential for overcoming these challenges and ensuring successful test outcomes.

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

AspectFlight Test EngineerFlight Test Technician
CredentialsBachelor's or higher in aerospace or mechanical engineering; often requires FAA or EASA certificationsAssociate's or bachelor's in aerospace technology or related field; certifications may vary
Work EnvironmentDesigning, planning, analyzing flight tests; collaborating with engineers and pilotsAssisting with test preparations, data collection, and aircraft inspections
Industry UsagePrimarily in aerospace manufacturing, research, and developmentInvolved in testing and maintenance within aerospace companies and testing facilities

Flight Test Engineers focus on designing and analyzing flight tests, requiring advanced engineering skills and certifications. Flight Test Technicians support these activities through hands-on testing and data collection. Both roles are essential in aerospace testing environments but differ in responsibilities and qualifications.

How much do flight test engineers get paid?

Flight test engineers typically earn between $70,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and employer. Senior engineers with specialized skills or certifications can earn higher salaries, especially in aerospace hubs or with government agencies.
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Flight TEST Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Flight Test Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 90% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $134,885 per year, or $64.8 per hour.

Flight Test Engineer

Cambridge, MA

MORSE Corp
See more jobs at MORSE Corpexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

As Flight Test Engineer at MORSE, you are a critical member of the team taking vehicles from concept to flight leading fast-paced, iterative, and rigorous test campaigns managing both local and Continental US flight test activities necessary for the development of first-of-a-kind aerial systems. You will provide technical support for multiple programs by managing logistics, safety, and overall coordination of flight test activities. This role will work with engineers across a variety of domains in a rapidly-changing R&D environment and requires a strong sense of systems level design. You will have full responsibility for planning and executing complex test activities at locations including commercial test facilities for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, as well as military bases.

Responsibilities

  • Plan and execute local (New England) and Continental US flight test activities, coordinates with project engineers to identify test objectives and data requirements

  • Own the details and coordinate resources to execute testing including scheduling of range time, equipment shipment, and travel arrangements

  • Ensure necessary test support equipment and instrumentation are available and operable to support testing

  • Champion testing best practices and ensures safe conduct of testing activities

  • Participate in data reduction and data review of test data to verify that test objectives were met

  • Interface with inter-disciplinary engineering teams on novel UAS systems

Requirements

  • US CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED or the ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field

  • 3+ years' experience as a test engineer in a flight, wind tunnel, or other test environment

  • Experience with design of test instrumentation systems for ground and/or flight testing

  • Experience with test planning and safety assessments for UAS

  • Experience in data reduction in Python, MATLAB, or similar

  • 25-50% Travel

  • Part 107 Certification

  • Quad, multirotor, and/or fixed wing pilot experience

  • Familiarity with an experimental aircraft airworthiness release process

  • Experience with testing UAS Swarming or multi-vehicle control

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