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Flight Test Engineer Intern Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Shield AI

Propulsion Test Engineer (R4380)

Mundelein, IL · On-site

$150K - $230K/yr

You will work closely with propulsion engineers, flight test teams, autonomy developers, instrumentation specialists, and safety organizations to define test objectives, assess risk, and deliver the ...

ITW Automotive

Quality Engineer Intern

Mokena, IL

$24 - $28/hr

As a Quality Engineering Intern, you will work closely with our engineering, manufacturing, and ... Conduct tests and inspections to identify issues, defects, and areas for improvement. * Collaborate ...

SAP

SAP iXp Intern - AI Engineer

Naperville, IL · On-site

SAP iXp Intern - AI Engineer Intern (Customer Success) Location: Naperville, IL Internship Duration ... Interest in information retrieval and evaluation (offline/online tests, A/B basics, guardrails)

SAP

SAP iXp Intern - AI Engineer

Naperville, IL

SAP iXp Intern - AI Engineer Intern (Customer Success) Location: Naperville, IL Internship Duration ... Interest in information retrieval and evaluation (offline/online tests, A/B basics, guardrails)

SAP

SAP iXp Intern - AI Engineer

Naperville, IL · On-site

$16.75 - $21.75/hr

SAP iXp Intern - AI Engineer Intern (Customer Success) Location: Naperville, IL Internship Duration ... Interest in information retrieval and evaluation (offline/online tests, A/B basics, guardrails)

Optiver

Software Engineer Intern (Chicago)

Chicago, IL · On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

As a Software Engineer Intern, you'll work side-by-side with your mentor and teammates to build ... Collaborate closely with best-in-class engineers, traders, and business teams to develop, test, and ...

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Flight Test Engineer Intern information

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$11

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

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for flight test engineer intern in Chicago, IL is $19.90, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.59 and $21.54 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 are the most commonly searched types of Flight Test Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Flight Test Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
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What job categories do people searching Flight Test Engineer Intern jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Flight Test Engineer Intern jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Flight Test Engineer Intern jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL 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 Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 22% Internship, 61% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $41,385 per year, or $19.9 per hour.
Flight Test Engineer, Staff (R5006)

Flight Test Engineer, Staff (R5006)

Shield AI

Mundelein, IL • On-site

$120K - $190K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software and V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Job Description:
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 across several segment owners of engineering, operations, autonomy, systems integration, product support, and manufacturing.  
What you'll do:
  • Develop, publish, and execute comprehensive flight test plans, procedures, cards, risk assessments, safety, and readiness reviews 
  • Support integration and test of aircraft systems, payloads, comms/data links, software, ground control systems, and mission equipment 
  • Lead and coordinate pre-flight, flight, and post-flight activities, including system configuration, instrumentation, telemetry, data collection and test reports 
  • Analyze ground and flight test data to identify performance trends, anomalies, root causes, and corrective actions 
  • Coordinate with engineering teams to validate requirements, troubleshoot issues, and mature system capabilities 
  • Lead or participate in test range operations, safety briefings, go/no-go decisions, and test setup and logistics  
  • Document test results, lessons learned, anomalies, and recommendations in clear technical reports 
  • Support aircraft maintenance, configuration control, and system readiness 
  • Create and improve flight test processes, tools, data workflows, and operational efficiency 
  • Create and maintain ground and air operating limitations requirements  
  • Travel to test sites, customer locations, and field exercises as required 
Required qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM Degree) 
  • 5-10 years of experience with developmental and/or operational ground and flight test, unmanned/manned aircraft systems, aircraft integration, or aerospace systems engineering 
  • Strong understanding of aircraft systems, flight dynamics, avionics, telemetry, sensors, or control systems  
  • Proven ability to write and execute structured test plans, procedures, and reports 
  • Strong troubleshooting skills in field and/or lab environments 
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to work across engineering and operations teams 
  • Willingness to travel and work outdoors, fields, or test range environments 
  • Overtime and weekend coverage as required 
Preferred qualifications:
  • 10+ years of experience with developmental and/or operational ground and flight test, unmanned aircraft systems, aircraft integration, or aerospace systems engineering 
  • Experience in Group 4-5 UAS and/or fighter type capability or similar weapons systems 
  • Familiarity with FAA, DoW, and test range flight operations 
  • Experience with autonomy, navigation, mission planning, and Command-and-Control (C2) systems 
  • Hands-on experience with aircraft maintenance, avionics integration, payload integration, and ground support equipment  
  • Experience with telemetry systems, flight and data logs, sensor data, datalinks, and RF systems 
  • Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate or crewed aviation experience 
  • Proven Mission Control Room experience using Integrated Analysis & Data System (IADS) or similar development FTI display system  
  • Experience leading or supporting developmental flight test campaigns from design through planning and execution to include reporting 
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is practical, detail-oriented engineer who is comfortable in control rooms, hangar/maintenance areas, and office type environments. You can write a detailed test plan, troubleshoot hardware and software at a test site, analyze flight data, and communicate clearly under operational pressure. You are safety-minded, have high technical acumen, and motivated by building and validating advanced and complex aircraft systems 
 
#LI-JM1
#LD

Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
 
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
 
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
 
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know. 

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. 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.