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Home Based Flight Test Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Shield AI

Flight Test Engineer (R5006)

Mundelein, IL

$115K - $215K/yr

Willingness and ability to travel up to 80% for candidates not based in the Wichita Metro Area ... flight test, unmanned aircraft systems, aircraft integration, or aerospace systems engineering

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 ... materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not ...

Dynamic Manufacturing

Test Engineer

Hillside, IL · On-site

$65K - $120K/yr

The Test Engineer will be responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining testing ... PCB design * Creating user-friendly PC-based Graphical Interfaces and HMIs * SQL Databases ...

Golden Eagle Distributing

Test Engineer

Lake Zurich, IL · On-site

$80K/yr

ECHO is seeking a Product Test Engineer to join our Engineering team and lead product testing ... This is an on-site position that will be based out of our Lake Zurich facility. ECHO's benefits ...

New

ECHO

Test Engineer

Lake Zurich, IL · On-site

$80K/yr

ECHO is seeking a Product Test Engineer to join our Engineering team and lead product testing ... This is an on-site position that will be based out of our Lake Zurich facility. ECHO's benefits ...

New

Enpro

Test Engineer

Harwood Heights, IL · On-site

$84K - $126K/yr

Conduct test readiness reviews with stakeholders (design engineering, customer, manufacturing ... Our employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs, without regard to ...

New

CNH Industrial N.V.

Software Test Engineer

Oak Brook, IL · On-site

$86K/yr

Engineering and Technical Job Type for Job Posting: Full Time Working Mode for Job Posting: Hybrid ... Complete test data analysis, prepare reports and provide recommendations based on findings. Create ...

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All JobsHome Based Flight Test Engineer JobsHome Based Flight Test Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Home Based Flight Test Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$44.8K

$139K

$210.2K

How much do home based flight test engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for home based flight test engineer in Chicago, IL is $138,951.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $108,700.00 and $164,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Home Based Flight Test Engineer vs Flight Test Engineer?

AspectHome Based Flight Test EngineerFlight Test Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, pilot certifications, flight test experienceEngineering degree, pilot certifications, flight test experience
Work EnvironmentPrimarily remote, with occasional on-site flight testingOn-site at test ranges or flight facilities
Employer & IndustryAerospace companies, defense contractors, aircraft manufacturersAerospace companies, defense contractors, aircraft manufacturers

Home Based Flight Test Engineers typically perform planning, analysis, and remote oversight of flight tests, with some on-site involvement. Flight Test Engineers are more directly involved in on-site testing and flight operations. Both roles require similar credentials and industry experience, but differ mainly in work location and daily responsibilities.

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:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Home Based Flight Test Engineer jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Home Based Flight Test Engineer job openings:

Home Based Flight Test Engineer jobs near you

Flight Test Engineer (R5006)

Shield AI

Mundelein, IL

$115K - $215K/yr

Full-time

Posted 29 days ago

Job description

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, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. 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 and ability to travel up to 80% for candidates not based in the Wichita Metro Area, including travel to test sites, ranges, and other field locations
  • 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-AA1
#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.