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Flight Test Engineer Jobs in Phoenix, AZ (NOW HIRING)

Oversee and personally conduct environmental testing to validate models for the purposes of new product qualification, production acceptance, flight test clearance, engineering evaluations, and ...

Test Engineer

Tempe, AZ

$123.50K - $185.50K/yr

Evaluate and advocate for necessary resource needs to ensure the timely delivery of flight-ready ... Success in this role requires strong mechanical engineering skills to design specialized test ...

Test Engineer

Tempe, AZ · On-site

$123.50K - $185.50K/yr

Evaluate and advocate for necessary resource needs to ensure the timely delivery of flight-ready ... Success in this role requires strong mechanical engineering skills to design specialized test ...

Test Engineer

Tempe, AZ

$123.50K - $185.50K/yr

Evaluate and advocate for necessary resource needs to ensure the timely delivery of flight-ready ... Success in this role requires strong mechanical engineering skills to design specialized test ...

... and testing and debugging flight hardware for commercial, military, and space markets! This ... Train or mentor new technicians and test engineers * Communicate status to program management

Systems Test Engineer

Tempe, AZ · On-site

$176K - $264K/yr

... and testing and debugging flight hardware for commercial, military, and space markets! This ... Train or mentor new technicians and test engineers * Communicate status to program management

... and testing and debugging flight hardware for commercial, military, and space markets! This ... Train or mentor new technicians and test engineers * Communicate status to program management

Sr. Test Engineer

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$130K - $158K/yr

Job Title : Sr. Test Engineer Reporting To: Management, Design Engineering Work Schedule: Onsite ... Integrate with flight-like units: interface with embedded single board computers (SBCs) and custom ...

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Flight Test Engineer information

See Phoenix, AZ salary details

$43.2K

$133.9K

$202.6K

How much do flight test engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for flight test engineer in Phoenix, AZ is $133,928.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,800.00 and $158,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 specifications. They analyze test data, troubleshoot issues, and work closely with pilots, engineers, and manufacturers using specialized tools and instrumentation. Their role ensures aircraft meet regulatory standards before commercial or military deployment.

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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Flight Test Engineer jobs in Phoenix, AZ? The most popular types of Flight Test Engineer jobs in Phoenix, AZ are:
What are popular job titles related to Flight Test Engineer jobs in Phoenix, AZ? For Flight Test Engineer jobs in Phoenix, AZ, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Phoenix, AZ are hiring for Flight Test Engineer jobs? Cities near Phoenix, AZ with the most Flight Test Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Flight Test Engineer job openings in Phoenix, AZ as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $133,928 per year, or $64.4 per hour.
Environmental Test Engineer II

Environmental Test Engineer II

Raytheon

Phoenix, AZ

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago


Raytheon rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 81 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

3rd of 511 rated manufacturers


Job description

Date Posted:

2026-05-18

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-AZ-TUCSON-930 ~ 1151 E Hermans Rd ~ ETF 930

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance​

Security Clearance Type:

DoD Clearance: Secret

Security Clearance Status:

Ability to obtain INTERIM U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date

At Raytheon, the foundation of everything we do is rooted in our values and a higher calling – to help our nation and allies defend freedoms and deter aggression. We bring the strength of more than 100 years of experience and renowned engineering expertise to meet the needs of today’s mission and stay ahead of tomorrow’s threat. Our team solves tough, meaningful problems that create a safer, more secure world.  

Environmental Test (ET) is an engineering organization that supports all programs across Raytheon. The ET organization provides testing capability for every phase of the product life cycle from prototype to production. Environmental testing includes mechanical shock, electrodynamic vibration, salt fog, climatic environments such as temperature, altitude, and humidity, high temperature quartz lamp testing, structural testing, test fixture design, and custom instrumentation installations and data acquisition support.

Environmental Test is seeking a Test Engineer II in the field of environmental testing. The Test Engineer is responsible for executing a variety of environmental tests while collaborating in an integrated product (IP) team environment with fellow ET Test Engineers, ET Support Engineers, and internal engineering customers. The Test Engineer will work within the IP team to develop the best methods for implementing tests to meet customer requirements and is responsible for all aspects of the test including test design and setup, equipment control and monitoring, and data collection and analysis. The Test Engineer is responsible for performing troubleshooting and adjustment of both the equipment and test setup when technical issues arise. This position is an onsite role located in Tucson, AZ.

What You Will Do:

  • Consult and provide testing guidance to internal program customers and verify their proposed testing will meet the intended requirements.

  • Write test plans and procedures that meet the requirements and safety of testing requested by internal program customers as well as review plans and procedures written by others. Also create schedules and budgets for all testing.

  • Oversee and personally conduct environmental testing to validate models for the purposes of new product qualification, production acceptance, flight test clearance, engineering evaluations, and failure investigations.

  • Implement engineering best practices to ensure testing is performed accurately, on schedule, and within allowed budget.

  • Analyze test data real time and posttest to validate requirements have been met in accordance with requirements.

  • Communicate status of ongoing testing efforts with ET leadership and internal program customers.

  • Design, model, and analyze vibration and structural test fixtures using CREO Parametric and Ansys Workbench.

Qualifications You Must Have:

  • Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 2 years of prior relevant experience.

  • ​Minimum of one (1) years of technical writing experience in test planning, analysis, or reporting.

  • Minimum of one (1) year engineering testing experience.

Qualifications We Prefer:

  • Preferred engineering majors include Electrical, Aerospace, or Mechanical.

  • Experience with all types of instrumentation to include accelerometers, thermocouples, strain gages, load cells, and displacement transducers.

  • Experience setting up and troubleshooting signal conditioners and data acquisition system hardware and software.

  • Experience working with commercial environmental test equipment to include vibration test systems and thermal chambers.

  • Experience working with vibration control systems and software.

  • Experience with solid modeling and analysis software applications.

  • High situational awareness and ability to effectively work multiple projects simultaneously.

  • Current DoD secret or TS/SSBI clearance.

What We Offer:

  • Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Safety, Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.

  • Relocation Eligibility– Relocation assistance available.

Learn More & Apply Now!

  • Please consider the following role type definition as you apply for this role.

  • Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 68,900 USD - 131,100 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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