1

Flight Test Engineer Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Project Engineer Location: Arnold AFB Job Family Code: Digital Enterprise Function/Branch ... flight test. Execution of the mission requires a large team of highly qualified and dedicated ...

Project Engineer Location: Arnold AFB Job Family Code: Digital Enterprise Function/Branch ... flight test. Execution of the mission requires a large team of highly qualified and dedicated ...

Project Engineer Location: Arnold AFB Job Family Code: Digital Enterprise Function/Branch ... flight test. Execution of the mission requires a large team of highly qualified and dedicated ...

Project Engineer Location: Arnold AFB Job Family Code: Digital Enterprise Function/Branch ... flight test. Execution of the mission requires a large team of highly qualified and dedicated ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Flight Test Engineer information

See Tennessee salary details

$39.5K

$122.4K

$185.2K

How much do flight test engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for flight test engineer in Tennessee is $122,424.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $95,800.00 and $145,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior aerospace engineers, including experienced Flight Test Engineers working in the aerospace industry, can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially with bonuses, stock options, and extensive experience. High-level engineers with specialized skills, advanced certifications, and leadership roles in large companies or defense contractors are more likely to reach this compensation level.

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.

How hard is it to become a flight test engineer?

Becoming a flight test engineer typically requires a bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering, along with experience in aircraft systems and testing. Strong analytical skills, knowledge of flight operations, and familiarity with testing protocols are essential, and obtaining certifications like the FAA's pilot or test pilot license can be beneficial. The role often involves rigorous training and safety procedures, making it a challenging but achievable career path for qualified engineers.

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 industry sector. Senior engineers with specialized skills or certifications can earn higher salaries, especially in aerospace or defense companies.

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 Flight Test Engineers?

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 do flight test engineers do?

Flight test engineers design, plan, and oversee testing of aircraft and aerospace systems to evaluate performance, safety, and compliance with regulations. They analyze test data, troubleshoot issues, and work closely with pilots, engineers, and manufacturers using specialized tools and instrumentation. Their work often involves testing in controlled environments and requires knowledge of aerodynamics, systems integration, and safety standards.
What are the most commonly searched types of Flight Test Engineer jobs in Tennessee? The most popular types of Flight Test Engineer jobs in Tennessee are:
What are popular job titles related to Flight Test Engineer jobs in Tennessee? For Flight Test Engineer jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Flight Test Engineer jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Flight Test Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Flight Test Engineer jobs in TN? For Flight Test Engineer jobs in TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Flight Test Engineer job openings in Tennessee as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $122,424 per year, or $58.9 per hour.

Facility Performance Engineer - Flight

BNH

Arnold Air Force Base, TN • On-site

$80K - $106K/yr

Other

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday


Job description

Overview
Job Title: Facility Performance Engineer-Flight
Location: Arnold AFB, TN
Job Family Code: O-Engineering
Function/Branch: Engineering / Flight
Directorate: Test Operations
Position Type: Regular, Full-Time
Pay Type: Exempt
Grade (provided by HR): L07 (OA0717) - L08 (OA0815)
Salary Range or Starting Hourly Rate (provided by HR): L07: $80,000 - $106,000; L08: $95,000 - $131,000 / year
Overview
Beyond New Horizons, LLC (BNH) has an exciting opportunity for a Facility Performance Engineer supporting the Test Operations and Sustainment contract at Arnold Engineering Development Complex at Arnold Air Force Base, TN in our wind tunnel branch. The Facility Performance Engineer will be working as a member of an integrated team responsible for operating and maintaining ground test facilities in support of the United States Air Force Test Operations and Sustainment efforts.
Open to INTERNAL candidates only
Job Summary
A Facility Performance Engineer for the Flight Branch Wind Tunnel Ground Test Facilities at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) plays a vital role in ensuring that some of the world's most sophisticated ground-test infrastructure operates at peak performance. Because these facilities must simulate extreme flight conditions-from subsonic speeds to hypersonic velocities exceeding Mach 12-the engineering behind the facilities themselves is incredibly complex. Rather than focusing on the test article being tested, a Facility Performance Engineer focuses on the wind tunnel itself as a high-performance system. The expectation is that the person in this role will become the expert in performance and operability of wind tunnel ground test facilities
Job Duties:
  • Facility Modeling & Simulation-Work with the Engineering Solutions team to develop and refine physics and statistically-based, thermodynamic and fluid dynamic computer models to analyze, predict and report how the tunnel, nozzle, diffuser, and air-supply systems behave under extreme test conditions
  • Operational Optimization-Analyze test configurations to maximize "run time," minimize the immense energy and utility footprints of the facilities, and establish optimal operating envelopes
  • Flow Quality & Characterization-Ensure the wind tunnel's test section(s) achieve well understood, highly uniform and precise flight conditions (such as specific Mach numbers, Reynolds numbers, temperatures, and pressures)
  • Analysis & Trending-Conduct post-test data analysis and trending of facility operation and performance data to detect or characterize degradation in performance or other facility-induced anomalies. Provide requirements for instrumentation upgrades, data collection improvements, or other modifications to obtain the data required to perform the analyses and trending.
  • Sustainment & Modernization-Identify technical deficiencies in the facility, conduct durability analyses on critical hardware (like nozzle throat materials or compressor blades) and champion efforts for system upgrades. Provide inputs and support requirements for development of facility upgrades, capital projects, and equipment upgrades that affect the wind tunnel as a high-performance system. Provide independent analysis of proposed designs and configuration changes that affect the wind tunnel as a high-performance system. Develop a strategic roadmap for the Wind Tunnel Ground Test Facilities that lays out a technology-based pathway to ensure the current wind tunnels or future wind tunnel designs can accommodate future customer technologies.
  • It is the condition of employment to wear company issued PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) in accordance with supervisory direction and company policy.
  • Perform other related duties as required

Basic Qualifications:
  • BS degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering from an accredited college or university
  • L07: Minimum of 4 years of engineering experience in at least one wind tunnel facility
  • L08: Minimum of 5 years of engineering experience in at least one wind tunnel facility
  • Must be able to maintain security clearance and the AEDC local area network
  • Due to Air Force Security requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required for employment at AEDC

Preferred Qualifications
  • Exhibits strong level of technical curiosity and desire to seek insight and understanding
  • Demonstrated proactiveness and initiative to drive to results
  • Strong foundational understanding of compressible fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer
  • Capability of conducting post-event data analysis, performance trending, and utilizing physics-based or statistical computer models
  • Proven ability to identify technical requirements and communicate complex analytical anomalies to a cross-functional engineering and operations team
  • Demonstrated ability in preparing technical documentation, engineering reports, and technical papers
  • Active Department of Defense Secret Security Clearance

What We Offer
  • Competitive salaries
  • Continuing education assistance
  • Multiple healthcare benefits packages
  • 401K with employer matching
  • Paid time off (PTO) along with a federally recognized holiday schedule

Who We Are
Beyond New Horizons (BNH) is a fully populated joint venture of Astrion and Fluor Federal Services, Inc. formed to provide unmatched Test Operations and Sustainment services for the Arnold Engineering Development Complex.
We chose our name to serve as an enduring reminder of our commitment to AEDC's rich aerospace research and development legacy anchored in AEDC's Toward New Horizons founding study and the unprecedented opportunities to greatly expand AEDC's capabilities and capacity Beyond those existing today. Leveraging the capabilities of our parent companies, BNH specializes in testing and evaluation for military and space systems combined with proven capability in large-scale Government program management, integration, engineering, and construction services for specialized and technically advanced high-hazard facilities.
Join our Team!
BNH is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
U.S. Citizenship is required. At this time BNH will not sponsor any applicants for employment authorization or offer any immigration related support for this position (i.e. H1b, F1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, F-1 CPT, J-1, E-2, E-3, L-1, or other forms of work authorization that require immigration support from an employer).
The minimum and maximum full-time annual salaries for this role are listed below, by location. Please note that this salary information is solely for candidates hired to perform work within one of these locations and refers to the amount BNH is willing to pay at the time of this posting. Salaries for part-time jobs will be adjusted based upon the number of hours agreed to work.
L07: $80,000 - $106,000; L08: $95,000 - $131,000 / year at location Arnold AFB, TN
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.