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Flight Test Instrumentation Technician Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Engineer V

Poway, CA · On-site

$105K - $189K/yr

Supervise and direct Flight Test Instrumentation Engineers and Technicians. Review output for consistency, accuracy, and compliance with requirements and standards. * Plan, prioritize, and schedule ...

Flight Test Engineer

Manassas, VA · On-site

$102K - $124K/yr

Support the development of a flight test instrumentation plan for the Electra EL-9 aircraft. * Other duties as assigned. What You Bring: * B.S. in Aerospace Engineering (or related STEM discipline ...

Flight Test Engineer

Manassas, VA · On-site

$90K - $170K/yr

Support the development of a flight test instrumentation plan for the Electra EL-9 aircraft. * Other duties as assigned. What You Bring: * B.S. in Aerospace Engineering (or related STEM discipline ...

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Flight Test Instrumentation Technician information

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How much do flight test instrumentation technician jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for flight test instrumentation technician in the United States is $114,999.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,000.00 and $130,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do flight testers make?

Flight Test Instrumentation Technicians typically earn between $50,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and location. They work with specialized testing equipment and often require knowledge of aircraft systems and safety protocols.

How much do flight test instrumentation engineers make?

Flight test instrumentation technicians typically earn between $60,000 and $90,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and location. Advanced skills in data acquisition systems, troubleshooting, and familiarity with aerospace testing environments can influence salary levels.

What is the difference between Flight Test Instrumentation Technician vs Flight Test Engineer?

AspectFlight Test Instrumentation TechnicianFlight Test Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires an associate degree or technical certification in avionics or electronicsUsually holds a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentHands-on work in test flights, laboratories, and maintenance facilitiesDesigns test plans, analyzes data, and oversees flight testing processes
Industry UsageCommonly employed by aerospace manufacturers, defense contractors, and testing agenciesWorks alongside test teams, often in project management and design roles

While both roles are integral to flight testing, the Flight Test Instrumentation Technician focuses on installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting instrumentation hardware. In contrast, the Flight Test Engineer designs test procedures, analyzes data, and ensures flight test objectives are met. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and employer expectations in aerospace testing.

What does a flight test technician do?

A flight test instrumentation technician is responsible for installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting testing equipment used during aircraft flight tests. They ensure data collection systems function correctly and work closely with engineers to support flight testing operations, often using specialized tools and following safety protocols. Their work helps validate aircraft performance and safety standards.

Is instrumentation in high demand?

Flight Test Instrumentation Technicians are in high demand due to the need for specialized skills in aircraft testing and data collection. The role requires knowledge of sensors, data acquisition systems, and calibration, and employment opportunities are often available in aerospace and defense industries with steady growth prospects.

What are some common challenges faced by Flight Test Instrumentation Technicians during aircraft testing campaigns?

Flight Test Instrumentation Technicians often work in fast-paced, high-stakes environments where timelines can shift quickly due to weather, aircraft availability, or engineering changes. A major challenge is troubleshooting complex data acquisition systems in real time, often under tight deadlines. Technicians must also ensure that all sensors and equipment are properly calibrated and securely installed to collect accurate data during test flights. Effective communication and collaboration with engineers, pilots, and other technicians are essential to address issues promptly and to maintain safety and data integrity throughout the testing process.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Flight Test Instrumentation Technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Flight Test Instrumentation Technician, you need a strong background in electronics, instrumentation, and data acquisition, typically supported by an associate degree or relevant technical certification. Familiarity with systems such as LabVIEW, data loggers, wiring diagrams, and calibration tools is essential. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for success in this role. These competencies ensure accurate data collection, reliable instrumentation performance, and the overall safety and success of flight test operations.

What are Flight Test Instrumentation Technicians?

Flight Test Instrumentation Technicians are specialized professionals responsible for installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting instrumentation systems used during aircraft flight testing. They ensure that sensors, data acquisition systems, and recording devices are properly set up to capture critical performance data throughout test flights. Their work supports engineers and test pilots by providing accurate, real-time information that is essential for evaluating aircraft safety, performance, and compliance with regulations. These technicians often work on both military and commercial aircraft during development, certification, or modification programs.
More about Flight Test Instrumentation Technician jobs
What states have the most Flight Test Instrumentation Technician jobs? States with the most job openings for Flight Test Instrumentation Technician jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Flight Test Instrumentation Technician jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Flight Test Instrumentation Technician jobs are:
Infographic showing various Flight Test Instrumentation Technician job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 98% Full Time, and 2% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,999 per year, or $55.3 per hour.
Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer with Security Clearance

Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer with Security Clearance

Anduril Industries

Costa Mesa, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 8 days ago


Anduril rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Anduril

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Manufacturers average

Based on 72,569 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century's most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years. SUMMARY The Test and Evaluation Team at Anduril performs validation of Group 5 UAS. We work in close coordination with specialist teams like, Guidance, Navigation, and Control, Flight Sciences, Mission Systems, and Aircraft Maintenance to solve some of the hardest problems facing our customers. We are looking for instrumentation engineers and Group 5 unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) developers excited about implementing a powerful instrumentation, telemetry, and data management system for flight test of Group 5 UAS. As a Flight Test Instrumentation (FTI) Engineer at Anduril, you will dive into unique, complex challenges that come with the territory of high-stakes, advanced technology in the defense sector. Your expertise will drive innovation in autonomous systems, shaping the future of defense and intelligence with solutions that are deployed at unparalleled speed. If you're eager to leverage your instrumentation and RF telemetry skills in an environment that encourages bold ideas and offers the resources to turn them into reality, Anduril provides the perfect platform to propel your career and make a tangible difference in a world entering a new era of strategic competition. Join us and be part of the transformation that's setting new standards for military capabilities and security. RESPONSIBILITIES * Conduct requirements decomposition using a wide array of digital tools to select and install only the necessary flight test instrumentation, and effectively communicate analytical insights to stakeholders. * Collaborate cross-functionally with discipline engineers, Customers, COMSEC, and program management to inform safety of test, safety of flight, strategic decisions, and positively impact 'speed-to-ramp'. * Spearhead technical investigations to diagnose instrumentation and RF telemetry issues, providing leadership in the interpretation of data and formulation of solutions to improve system reliability and efficiency. * Design and implement analytics-driven customer-facing products that showcase system performance metrics, provide trend analysis, and enhance user understanding and experience with our Group 5 UAS platforms. * Design, fabricate and install flight test instrumentation sensors, data paths and equipment into one of a kind experimental aircraft, often utilizing novel approaches. This includes the fabrication of wire harnesses and routing through aircraft structure, often working directly with other integrated product teams to support program goals. * Perform test instrument calibrations and pre-flight checks in conjunction with discipline and manufacturing engineers as an approving signatory for GO/NO-GO flight test decisions * Operate and maintain a telemetry auto-tracking Ground System using COTS software and hardware * Travel from Anduril HQ to establish FTI and RF telemetry solutions in the high desert of California, Nevada, Texas, and Oregon up to 50% of the time. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS * Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related field. Alternatively, Radar Systems, Data Science experience, with a strong quantitative and mechanical measurements foundation. * 5+ years notable experience with embedded data acquisition systems in manned or unmanned aircraft. * Exceptional data visualization skills, with proficiency in using analytical tools (e.g., IADS, MATLAB, LabVIEW, Simulink) to advise the translation of complex data into accessible visual formats for diverse audiences. * Demonstrated expertise in implementing high channel count (e.g. 100-400 measurands) mechanical measurement systems and architecting RF telemetry for near real-time display in a control room. * A proven track record of implementing and troubleshooting grounding, bonding, and shielding solutions for analog-to-digital instrumentation signals in multi-band RF environments. * Experience with composite and exotic material installations across varying flight test environments. * A strong commitment to applying data science to solve real-world problems, with the ability to translate technical findings into actionable recommendations that have a tangible impact. * Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to engage effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including engineers, program managers, and non-technical stakeholders. * Able to work extended hours as required. * Ability to travel as required for test planning and execution * Ability to immediately obtain a U.S. Top Secret-Level security clearance. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS * Master of Science or B.S. and 10+ years experience with flight test instrumentation on COTS Telemetry Solutions including ground and air equipment. * 5+ years experience setting up and administering high channel-count, RF telemetry systems with the Interactive Analysis and Display System (IADS). * Knowledge of best practices for implementing RF ground planes and architecting RF telemetry systems for maximum RF range on composite aircraft systems * Leadership experience, with the ability to mentor less experienced discipline engineers and lead project teams in the execution of complex data acquisition initiatives. * Experience working with 'Data-at-rest' multi-domain, encrypted storage devices on aircraft. US Salary Range $146,000 - $194,000 USD The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including: Benefits At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you're supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, Explore Our Benefits . Protecting Yourself from Recruitment Scams Anduril is committed to maintaining the integrity of our Talent acquisition process and the security of our candidates. We've observed a rise in sophisticated phishing and fraudulent schemes where individuals impersonate Anduril representatives, luring job seekers with false interviews or job offers. These scammers often attempt to extract payment or sensitive personal information. To ensure your safety and help you navigate your job search with confidence, please keep the following critical points in mind: * No Financial Requests: Anduril will never solicit payment or demand personal financial details (such as banking information, credit card numbers, or social security numbers) at any stage of our hiring process. Our legitimate recruitment is entirely free for candidates. * Please always verify communications: * Direct from Anduril: If you receive an email from one of our recruiters, it will only come from an @anduril.com address. * Via Agency Partner: If contacted by a recruiting agency for an Anduril role, their email will clearly identify their agency. If you suspect any suspicious activity, please verify the agency's authenticity by reaching out to . * Exercise Caution with Unsolicited Outreach: If you receive any communication that appears suspicious, contains grammatical errors, or makes unusual requests, do not engage. Always confirm the sender's email domain is @anduril.com before providing any personal information or clicking on links. * What to Do If You Suspect Fraud: Should you encounter any questionable or fraudulent outreach claiming to be from Anduril, please report it immediately to . Your proactive caution is invaluable in protecting your personal information and upholding the security and trustworthiness of our recruitment efforts. Data Privacy To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/ . By submitting your application, you consent to Anduril Industries using a third-party service provider to conduct pre-employment risk, integrity, and due diligence screening and assessing potential risks as part of your application process. This third-party service provider provides risk-intelligence services that may include analysis of sanctions and watchlists, adverse media, public-record information, and other lawful open-source or commercial data sources. This third-party service provider does not act as a consumer reporting agency. Use of this provider helps to ensure compliance with applicable laws and protect technology, intellectual property, and organizational security. Create a Job Alert Interested in building your career at Anduril Industries? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email. Create alert

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From Anduril

As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril delivers cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the warfighter in months, not years.


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About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

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