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Lead Flight Test Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Electra

Principal Flight Controls Engineer

Manassas, VA

$135K - $165K/yr

... test. * Partner with the Flight Controls IPT Lead to support system architecture decisions and ... S. in Aerospace Engineering or related STEM discipline. * 10+ years of experience in flight ...

Electra

Principal Systems Test Engineer

Manassas, VA · Hybrid

$135K - $165K/yr

The Role As our Principal Systems Test Engineer, you'll be the technical lead driving development ... Lead and mentor development of instrument and data acquisition capabilities for ground and flight ...

Protingent

Senior Aerospace Test Engineer

Crystal City, VA · On-site

$153K - $200K/yr

The Senior Aerospace Test Engineer will lead advanced aerospace experimentation efforts. * They will be responsible for the definition and oversight of ground and flight aerodynamics experimentation ...

Estes Aerospace

Flight Controls Engineer

Vienna, VA · On-site

Design flight control systems for rockets using thrust vector control, aerodynamic surfaces ... You like to iterate fast and test often, not wait for perfection * Bonus: experience with missile ...

Estes Aerospace

Flight Controls Engineer

Vienna, VA · On-site

You will design and build the flight control systems for rockets. You'll take your designs from ... You like to iterate fast and test often, not wait for perfection * Bonus: experience with missile ...

Peraton

Flight Safety Test Engineer, Senior

Fort Belvoir, VA · On-site

$135K - $216K/yr

Responsibilities As a Senior Flight Safety Systems Engineer supporting a national security program ... Lead integration efforts of new data sources in legacy and developing system tools * Test software ...

Peraton

Flight Safety Test Engineer, Senior

Fort Belvoir, VA · On-site

$135K - $216K/yr

Responsibilities As a Senior Flight Safety Systems Engineer supporting a national security program ... Lead integration efforts of new data sources in legacy and developing system tools * Test software ...

Peraton

Flight Safety Test Engineer, Senior

Fort Belvoir, VA · On-site

$135K - $216K/yr

Responsibilities As a Senior Flight Safety Systems Engineer supporting a national security program ... Lead integration efforts of new data sources in legacy and developing system tools * Test software ...

Jobtailor

Lead Test Engineer

Newport News, VA · On-site

$43.25 - $58.75/hr

Lead Test Engineer (LTE) or Ship Safety Officer (SSO) or Watch Supervisor or Watch Officer Certification, or Trade REC Coordinator (TRC) and Trade REC Oversight Agent (TROA) Certification * 6 years ...

Parsons Corporation

Advanced Test Engineer

Dahlgren, VA · On-site

$134K - $241K/yr

Ability to lead and execute extensive testing and provide engineering support on systems, system ... operational test events, including flight, hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL), and operational ...

Parsons

Advanced Test Engineer

Dahlgren, VA · On-site

$134K - $241K/yr

Ability to lead and execute extensive testing and provide engineering support on systems, system ... operational test events, including flight, hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL), and operational ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsLead Flight Test Engineer JobsLead Flight Test Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Lead Flight Test Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$42.1K

$122.7K

$179K

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

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead flight test engineer in Virginia is $122,723.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $101,600.00 and $133,800.00 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 Virginia are hiring for Lead Flight Test Engineer jobs?

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

Infographic showing various Lead Flight Test Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $122,723 per year, or $59 per hour.

Test and Evaluation Engineer

Newport News, VA • On-site

Cruz Associates Inc
See more jobs at Cruz Associates Incexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

Cruz Associates Inc. of Yorktown, VA (www.cruzinc.us) has an open position and is looking for qualified candidates for a Test and Evaluation Engineer. The job location is Joint Base Langley Eustis (JBLE), Virginia. 


Scope: Provides Test and Evaluation analysis and support services for multiple Army and Special Operations aircraft and their associated mission equipment. Successful performance requires professional knowledge of engineering theories, principles and disciplines that encompass design, development, test and evaluation, certification, qualification, modification, fabrication, installation, integration test and evaluation, fielding, flight operations, sustainment, and continuous airworthiness of a total aircraft system package is required to attain program goals. Areas of focus are conduct of flight test, instrumentation, data reduction, and test planning /reporting. Provide senior expert level technical test and evaluation support to TAPO and MELB PM offices to include the MH-47, MH-60, A/MH-6, SOA Fixed Wing, SOA UAS, Avionics, ASE, Sensors, and Weapons programs.

 Responsibilities:

    • Develop Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP)
    • Coordinate with AFSOC to incorporate CV-22 flight test lessons learned and ways to minimize testing
    • Coordinate with Systems Readiness Directorate (SRD) for the Airworthiness Qualification Plan (AQP)
    • Convert the AQP into an Airworthiness Qualification Specification (AQS)
    • Build the requirement for Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Engineering Services support for flight test
    • Build a combined test team of government and industry partners to execute developmental flight test
    • Participate as a member of Technical Interface Meetings (TIM), Program Reviews, Test Integration Working Groups (TIWG), and System Safety Working Groups (SSWG).
    • Overall responsible for Combined Test Team daily events and planning
    • Coordinate test activities to include test range scheduling and planning, data collecting and processing
    • Coordinate with SRD for all required Flight Test Airworthiness Releases (AWRs)

 Education and Experience:

  • Minimum of 15 years’ experience working in military aviation is required.
  • Minimum of 10 years’ experience with planning and conducting flight tests is required.
  • Bachelor’s degree in a technical field is required.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Electrical, or Mechanical engineering is desired.
  • Knowledge of higher-level data analysis computer language (e.g., MATLAB) is desired.
  • Training and experience as an experimental test pilot is required, or at least
  • 10 years of experience working in Special Operations Aviation test and evaluation.
  • 3 years exposure to the Defense Acquisition process is desired.
  • Secret or Interim Secret security clearance is required.

Apply