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Flight Test Engineer Intern Jobs in Washington, DC

Electra

Principal Systems Test Engineer (Aerospace)

Manassas, VA · On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

SIL/HIL labs for flight controls, avionics, and aircraft as a whole; engineering flight simulators ... Build automated test processes requiring custom interfaces amongst disparate RTOS system models and ...

Electra Aero, Inc.

Principal Systems Test Engineer

Manassas, VA · Hybrid

$139K - $168K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

SIL/HIL labs for flight controls, avionics, and aircraft as a whole; engineering flight simulators ... Build automated test processes requiring custom interfaces amongst disparate RTOS system models and ...

Electra

Principal Systems Test Engineer

Manassas, VA · On-site

$139K - $168K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

SIL/HIL labs for flight controls, avionics, and aircraft as a whole; engineering flight simulators ... Build automated test processes requiring custom interfaces amongst disparate RTOS system models and ...

Estes Aerospace

Flight Controls Engineer

Vienna, VA · On-site

You will design and build the flight control systems for rockets. You'll take your designs from ... You like to iterate fast and test often, not wait for perfection * Bonus: experience with missile ...

Electra

Principal Systems Test Engineer

Manassas, VA · On-site

$139K - $168K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

SIL/HIL labs for flight controls, avionics, and aircraft as a whole; engineering flight simulators ... Build automated test processes requiring custom interfaces amongst disparate RTOS system models and ...

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Flight Test Engineer Intern information

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

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for flight test engineer intern in Washington, DC is $21.88, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.22 and $23.70 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 Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Flight Test Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:

What are popular job titles related to Flight Test Engineer Intern jobs in Washington, DC?

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

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

The top searched job categories for Flight Test Engineer Intern jobs in Washington, DC are:

Flight Test Engineer Intern jobs near you

Missile Modeling & Flight Test Planning Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Laurel, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 73 rated research

Job description

Description
Are you interested in the performance and flight testing of our nation's premier missile systems?
Do you enjoy solving challenging problems with a well rounded team of engineers?
We are seeking an engineer to help us with the technical challenges associated with the missile and reentry systems deployed as part of our Nation's premier strategic ballistic missile systems. As a member of our team, you'll be making critical contributions to ensure the effectiveness of these systems which typically contain nuclear warheads and are an integral part of the Nation's strategic deterrent. You will be joining a hardworking and well-rounded team of engineers who work to provide impactful technical solutions for current and future strategic missile and payload systems. You will work with a large community of government, industry, and national partners to ensure the success of the Trident II (D5) Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile Strategic Weapons System (SWS), both the deployed system and future iterations. This included designing flight test trajectories for the entire D5 flight test program. We are passionate about innovation and our team is committed to providing engaging and stimulating work. We strive to foster an environment of collaboration where everyone's perspective is valued. Our team values communication, trust, integrity, and flexibility.
As a Missile Modeling & Flight Test Planning Engineer, you will...
  • Develop and utilize missile system modeling and simulation tools to conduct trade studies, performance assessments, flight test trajectory planning, and conceptual design studies of missile systems and hypersonic vehicles
  • Become an expert on the D5 SWS, including modeling & simulation tools for its performance
  • Work directly with sponsors and industry partners to inform current and future requirments are met
  • Participate in missile flight test planning activities for current and in development flight systems
  • Conduct trades, assessments, design studies to inform design requirements for future systems as well as inform utilization of the current systems.
  • Ensure rigorous understanding of SWS performance through detailed test planning and analysis
  • Update planning tools to account for new system capabilities and work to develop the next generation of simulation tools that support this work
  • Participate in missile test and evaluation activities to include test operations and pre/post flight evaluations
  • Lead and contribute to analysis efforts
  • Collaborate with cross-discipline teams to advise government and contractor partners on engineering challenges and design trades
  • Produce reports and presentations to communicate results to team members and government partners.

Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
  • Have a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline
  • Have previous experience with the large strategic missiles or similar weapons system
  • Have a passion for an engineering discipline such as missile modeling and simulation, aerodynamics, flight dynamics, missile guidance, navigation, and control, propulsion, optimization, mechanical design, and/or test and evaluation
  • Have strong scripting and programming skills with any of the following languages: C/C++, MATLAB, Python, Simulink, FORTRAN, or similar
  • Are willing and able to travel occasionally to attend meetings at other government and contractor sites (10 to 20 days a year)
  • Have strong communication skills, both verbal and written
  • Have initiative, interest in skill development, and the flexibility to accept assignments of varied scope and skill
  • Have an active Secret level security clearance and can ultimately obtain a Top Secret level security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
  • Have a M.S in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline
  • Have 2+ years of experience in a missile or flight system engineering discipline such as modeling and simulation, aerodynamics, flight dynamics, missile guidance, navigation, and control, propulsion or missile test and evaluation
  • Have software development experience, including the use of configuration management tools
  • Have previous experience with the Trident II (D5) missile or similar weapons system
  • Have experience using/developing 3-Degree of Freedom (3Dof) DoF and/or 6DoF simulations
  • Currently have an active Top Secret Clearance

About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$100,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$245,000 Annually

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