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Flight Test Engineer Intern Jobs in Alameda, CA (NOW HIRING)

Zipline

Senior Flight Test Engineer

South San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120K - $195K/yr

As a Senior Flight Test Engineer you will lead comprehensive flight test campaigns and integrate automated testing infrastructure into our flight test program. In this role, you will develop a deep ...

LTA Research

Senior Flight Test Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$115K - $170K/yr

We are seeking a Flight Test Engineer to operate within the Flight Test team. Candidate will work with ground and flight operations, engineering, and other LTA teams, to develop test plans and direct ...

LTA Research

Senior Flight Test Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$115K - $170K/yr

We are seeking a Flight Test Engineer to operate within the Flight Test team. Candidate will work with ground and flight operations, engineering, and other LTA teams, to develop test plans and direct ...

LTA Research

Senior Flight Test Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA

$115K - $170K/yr

We are seeking a Flight Test Engineer to operate within the Flight Test team. Candidate will work with ground and flight operations, engineering, and other LTA teams, to develop test plans and direct ...

Shield AI

Flight Test Engineer (R5006)

San Mateo, CA

$115K - $215K/yr

Shield AI is seeking an experienced Flight Test Engineer to plan, execute, analyze, and improve ground and flight test operations for a fast-paced next gen aircraft system. You will work closely ...

Shield AI

Flight Test Engineer (R5006)

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$115K - $215K/yr

Shield AI is seeking an experienced Flight Test Engineer to plan, execute, analyze, and improve ground and flight test operations for a fast-paced next gen aircraft system. You will work closely ...

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Flight Test Engineer Intern information

See Alameda, CA salary details

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How much do flight test engineer intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for flight test engineer intern in Alameda, CA is $21.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $23.70 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a flight test engineer intern do?

A Flight Test Engineer Intern assists in planning, executing, and analyzing flight tests for aircraft or aerospace systems. Their responsibilities often include preparing test plans, monitoring test flights, collecting data, and supporting senior engineers in evaluating aircraft performance and safety. Interns gain hands-on experience with test procedures, instrumentation, and regulatory compliance, contributing to the development and certification of new aviation products.

What types of projects and hands-on experiences can I expect as a flight test engineer intern?

As a Flight Test Engineer Intern, you’ll typically work on a mix of pre-flight preparations, data collection during test flights, and post-flight analysis. You may assist with instrumentation setup, monitor real-time data, and help troubleshoot technical issues alongside experienced engineers and pilots. Interns often collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including aerodynamics, avionics, and safety specialists, giving you an excellent opportunity to understand the broader context of flight testing. These experiences are invaluable for building foundational skills, gaining insight into industry-standard procedures, and networking for future career opportunities.

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

To thrive as a Flight Test Engineer Intern, you need a solid understanding of aerospace engineering fundamentals, data analysis, and avionics, typically supported by progress toward a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with aircraft instrumentation, MATLAB, LabVIEW, and data acquisition systems is often required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, teamwork, and effective communication distinguish successful interns in this field. These skills are vital for ensuring accurate test results, maintaining safety standards, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams during complex flight test operations.

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

AspectFlight Test Engineer InternFlight Test Engineer
Required CredentialsEnrolled in or recent graduate of aerospace or related engineering programBachelor's or master's degree in aerospace engineering or related field, with relevant certifications
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, often supervised, in aerospace testing facilities or on test flightsFull-time professional role, involved in planning, executing, and analyzing flight tests
Employer & Industry UsageInternships offered by aerospace companies, government agencies, or defense contractorsFull-time positions in aerospace, defense, or aviation industries

The main difference between a Flight Test Engineer Intern and a Flight Test Engineer is experience level and responsibility. Interns are typically students or recent graduates gaining hands-on experience, while engineers are full-time professionals responsible for planning and executing flight tests. Internships serve as a stepping stone toward a career as a Flight Test Engineer.

What are the most commonly searched types of Flight Test Engineer jobs in Alameda, CA?

The most popular types of Flight Test Engineer jobs in Alameda, CA are:

What are popular job titles related to Flight Test Engineer Intern jobs in Alameda, CA?

For Flight Test Engineer Intern jobs in Alameda, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Flight Test Engineer Intern jobs in Alameda, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Flight Test Engineer Intern jobs in Alameda, CA are:

What cities near Alameda, CA are hiring for Flight Test Engineer Intern jobs?

Cities near Alameda, CA with the most Flight Test Engineer Intern job openings:

Flight Test Engineer Intern jobs near you
Infographic showing various Flight Test Engineer Intern job openings in Alameda, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 16% Internship, 62% Full Time, and 22% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $45,532 per year, or $21.9 per hour.

Flight Test Engineer

Poseidon Aerospace

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Key responsibilities

  • Develop comprehensive flight test plans, test cards, and functional hazard analyses for autonomous aircraft systems and subsystems.

  • Act as a Test Director or Responsible Engineer during ground runs, taxi tests, and flight test events to ensure proper execution and safety.

  • Monitor telemetry data during flights, collect and interpret flight test data to evaluate vehicle performance, stability, and control.

Job description

About Poseidon Aerospace:
Poseidon Aerospace is reimagining how the world moves goods. We build and operate full-size autonomous cargo aircraft - capable of carrying two tons of payload over a thousand nautical miles. From remote communities to contested logistics operations, our platforms unlock a new cost curve for air freight, making it faster, cheaper, and accessible anywhere it's needed. Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area with locations in Washington DC, Oregon, and Maine; we're building something consequential.
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 bridge the gap between design engineering and real-world operations, taking full vehicle platforms from the laboratory environments straight to the flight line. This role requires a systems-level understanding of aircraft, a highly structured and safety-first approach to test execution, and the ability to analyze complex telemetry data into clear, actionable engineering results.
Responsibilities
  • Test Planning & Coordination: Develop comprehensive flight test plans, test cards, and functional hazard analyses (FHA) for full-scale autonomous aircraft systems and subsystems.
  • Flight Line Execution: Act as a Test Director or Responsible Engineer during ground runs, taxi tests, and envelope-expansion flight test events.
  • Data & Telemetry Analysis: Monitor real-time telemetry during flights. Collect, process, and interpret flight test data using scripting tools to assess vehicle performance, stability, and control, overall system performance, engine performance, and fuel system performance.
  • Instrumentation & Integration: Define requirements for and support the installation of flight test instrumentation (FTI), sensors (strain gauges, load cells, pitot-static systems), and data acquisition systems onboard the test assets.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Avionics, Propulsion, Flight Controls, and Structural design, Flight Sciences, and Airplane Configuration Design teams to define objective pass/fail validation criteria.
  • Safety & Operations: Lead pre-flight briefings and post-test debriefs. Enforce strict safety protocols on the flight line, identifying operational risks and implementing rapid mitigation strategies.
  • Reporting & Documentation: Maintain meticulous traceability between regulatory/design requirements and test results. Write formal flight test reports documenting system anomalies, performance metrics, and airworthiness findings.
Qualifications
  • Experience: 5+ years as an experimental flight test engineer, or in aerospace systems validation, or in UAS/aviation flight operations.
  • Education: Bachelor's Degree in related field or equivalent experience
  • Airplane Familiarization: Overall airplane-level familiarization, including aircraft operations and performance across fixed-wing platforms.
  • Testing Rigor: Proven track record drafting detailed flight test cards, managing test configurations, and operating within highly structured flight test environments.
  • Data Tools: Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, or similar languages for processing, reducing, and visualizing large flight-log datasets.
  • Systems Familiarity: Strong foundational knowledge of data acquisition systems (DAQ), telemetry hardware, and sensor calibration.
  • Field Readiness: Hands-on problem solver comfortable troubleshooting complex electrical, mechanical, or software anomalies on the flight line. Willingness to work outdoors at active test ranges under varying weather conditions.
Bonus points for
  • FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate or a private pilot's license (PPL).
  • Experience making aviation-standard VHF radio calls and communicating clearly in high-workload control room environments.
  • Background working with heavy or large-scale remotely operated vehicles / autonomous systems (Group 3-5 UAS).
  • Familiarity with FAA experimental certification processes, airworthiness standards, or military test protocols (MIL-STD).
  • Basic CAD experience for designing simple test brackets, fixtures, or harness layouts.

What you get from us
  • Competitive salary and meaningful early-stage equity
  • Relocation support if applicable
  • Employee Health Benefit Plans
  • 6% Retirement matching
  • Flexible PTO
  • Free lunches, snacks, and a stocked fridge at our offices
  • AI tools and subscriptions

Apply