ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Lead Flight Test Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Zipline

Senior Flight Test Engineer

South San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120K - $195K/yr

As a Senior Flight Test Engineer you will lead comprehensive flight test campaigns and integrate automated testing infrastructure into our flight test program. In this role, you will develop a deep ...

LTA Research

Senior Flight Test Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$115K - $170K/yr

The Flight Test Engineer will develop test plans and test hazard analyses (THA), draft airship ... Lead test briefings/debriefings, and coordinate with all support groups. * Direct flight test ...

Socket.dev

Senior Flight Test Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

The Flight Test Engineer will develop test plans and test hazard analyses (THA), draft airship ... Lead test briefings/debriefings, and coordinate with all support groups. * Direct flight test ...

LTA Research

Senior Flight Test Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$115K - $170K/yr

The Flight Test Engineer will develop test plans and test hazard analyses (THA), draft airship ... Lead test briefings/debriefings, and coordinate with all support groups. * Direct flight test ...

LTA Research

Senior Flight Test Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$115K - $170K/yr

The Flight Test Engineer will develop test plans and test hazard analyses (THA), draft airship ... Lead test briefings/debriefings, and coordinate with all support groups. * Direct flight test ...

LTA Research

Senior Flight Test Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$115K - $170K/yr

The Flight Test Engineer will develop test plans and test hazard analyses (THA), draft airship ... Lead test briefings/debriefings, and coordinate with all support groups. * Direct flight test ...

Icarus

Flight Test Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

The Flight Test Engineer makes sure every Icarus flight produces clean, trustworthy engineering data. You build the test cards and criteria, oversee their execution in the field, jump in on parameter ...

Slope

Flight Test Engineer

San Clemente, CA · On-site

As a Flight Test Engineer you will partner with the Ghost engineering to be responsible for test planning, execution, reporting, and evaluating the system under test (software and/or hardware)

Icarus

Flight Test Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

The Flight Test Engineer makes sure every Icarus flight produces clean, trustworthy engineering data. You build the test cards and criteria, oversee their execution in the field, jump in on parameter ...

Icarus

Flight Test Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

The Flight Test Engineer makes sure every Icarus flight produces clean, trustworthy engineering data. You build the test cards and criteria, oversee their execution in the field, jump in on parameter ...

previous page

Showing results 41-60

All JobsLead Flight Test Engineer JobsLead Flight Test Engineer Jobs in California

Lead Flight Test Engineer information

See California salary details

$41.9K

$122.2K

$178.1K

How much do lead flight test engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead flight test engineer in California is $122,163.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $101,200.00 and $133,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a lead flight test engineer?

A Lead Flight Test Engineer is a professional responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing the testing of aircraft to ensure they meet safety and performance standards. They work closely with pilots, engineers, and regulatory authorities to design test procedures, analyze flight data, and troubleshoot any technical issues that arise during tests. This role typically involves both hands-on technical work and leadership responsibilities, ensuring that all testing is conducted safely and efficiently. Lead Flight Test Engineers play a critical role in the development and certification of new aircraft and aircraft systems.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lead flight test engineer?

To thrive as a Lead Flight Test Engineer, you need a solid background in aerospace engineering, flight test principles, and experience with test planning and data analysis, usually supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with flight test instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and safety regulation compliance—often verified through certifications like FAA DER or equivalent—is essential. Strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and clear communication set top performers apart in coordinating multidisciplinary teams and managing test projects. These skills ensure safe, efficient, and accurate evaluation of aircraft systems, which is critical for certification and operational readiness.

How does a lead flight test engineer typically collaborate with multidisciplinary teams during a flight test campaign?

As a Lead Flight Test Engineer, you will regularly collaborate with pilots, avionics specialists, maintenance crews, and data analysts to ensure that flight tests run smoothly and safely. Coordination involves developing test plans, conducting pre- and post-flight briefings, and troubleshooting issues that arise during testing. Effective communication and leadership are essential, as you must align goals, delegate tasks, and synthesize input from diverse team members to achieve successful test outcomes. This collaborative environment provides valuable experience in cross-functional teamwork and project management.

What is the difference between Lead Flight Test Engineer vs Flight Test Engineer?

AspectLead Flight Test EngineerFlight Test Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Aerospace Engineering, certifications like FAA or EASA, extensive flight test experienceBachelor's in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, some certifications, less extensive experience needed
Work EnvironmentLeading test teams, coordinating test plans, overseeing safety protocolsAssisting in flight tests, executing test procedures, collecting data
Employer & Industry UsageAirlines, aerospace manufacturers, defense contractorsAircraft manufacturers, aerospace research centers, military agencies

The main difference between a Lead Flight Test Engineer and a Flight Test Engineer lies in responsibility and experience. The Lead Flight Test Engineer oversees test planning, team coordination, and safety, requiring more experience and leadership skills. The Flight Test Engineer primarily assists with executing tests and data collection. Both roles are essential in aerospace testing but differ in scope and seniority.

What cities in California are hiring for Lead Flight Test Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Lead Flight Test Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Lead Flight Test Engineer job openings in California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $122,163 per year, or $58.7 per hour.

Senior Flight Test Engineer

South San Francisco, CA • On-site

Zipline
See more jobs at Ziplineexternal

$120K - $195K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description

About You and The Role

Zipline operates autonomous delivery systems that move critical goods through real-world airspace and logistics environments. As a Senior Flight Test Engineer you will lead comprehensive flight test campaigns and integrate automated testing infrastructure into our flight test program. 

In this role, you will develop a deep understanding of Zipline's end-to-end logistics system and work closely with cross-functional partners to generate rapid insights into changes across hardware, software, and operations. Your work will serve as the final line of defense before software or hardware are deployed globally to perform critical real-world deliveries.

You will own system-level flight test campaigns from planning through execution and analysis. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys translating complex engineering questions into effective test programs and using data and automation to accelerate learning.

What You'll Do
  • Develop and lead end-to-end flight test campaigns validating aircraft performance, delivery and pick up operations, docking systems, and fleet orchestration.
  • Define system-level objectives, success criteria, and test plans with mechanical, electrical, software, systems and operations partners.
  • Assess hardware and software readiness, evaluate risk posture, and make flight-readiness decisions before test execution.
  • Analyze flight data to identify anomalies, trends, and opportunities for continuous improvement.
  • Produce deployment-readiness recommendations and prioritized corrective actions from campaign evidence.
  • Build and integrate automated test tooling that improves test precision, insight, capacity, and velocity.
What You'll Bring
  • 3+ years designing, developing, or validating autonomous robotic systems; UAS experience is preferred.
  • Strong ability to analyze and interpret large test data sets for engineering decisions.
  • Experience bringing up and debugging hardware and software systems for automated platforms.
  • Systems-level reasoning across structures, aerodynamics, embedded systems, and software.
  • Sound judgment about when to move quickly with pragmatic solutions and when to invest in durable infrastructure, process and tooling.
  • Experience maintaining and enforcing safety in a fast-paced, rapidly evolving environment.
  • Willingness to travel domestically and internationally for flight testing, approximately 2-6 weeks per year, and work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
What Else You Need To Know

The starting cash range for this role is $120,000-195,000. Please note that this is a target, starting cash range for a candidate who meets the minimum qualifications for this role. The final cash pay for this role will depend on a variety of factors, including a specific candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, working location, and projected impact. The total compensation package for this role may also include: equity compensation; discretionary annual or performance bonuses; sales incentives; benefits such as medical, dental and vision insurance; paid time off; and more. This position may be hired at one of two levels based on the candidate's experience, skills, and demonstrated scope:

  • Flight Test Engineer II: $120,000-$160,000
  • Senior Flight Test Engineer: $160,000-$195,000
Level and base salary will be determined through the interview process. Factors may include relevant experience, technical proficiency, expected responsibilities, location, and internal equity.

Zipline is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits 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 or our own sensibilities.

We value diversity at Zipline and welcome applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in tech. If you like the sound of this position but are not sure if you are the perfect fit, please apply!

Apply