Head of Flight Test

Aviation JobSearch Europa; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 881,000 - 955,000; Full time

Job summary

Volantes Technical Recruitment Ltd has an exciting opportunity in Dubai for a Senior Head of Flight Test to lead the Flight Test Organisation on an ambitious eVTOL programme. You will oversee prototype development, experimental flight testing, and certification campaigns to shape the next generation of urban air mobility.

As Head of Flight Test, you will manage a team of flight test pilots and engineers, develop testing strategies, ensure safety and regulatory compliance with EASA/GCAA, and work

Qualifications

• 12+ years in flight test or equivalent military establishment
• Strong rotorcraft/eVTOL flight testing background
• Formal rotary-wing flight test training from a recognized school

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead the Flight Test Organisation (FTO) and FTOM
• Develop and execute flight test strategies and certification campaigns
• Oversee experimental flight testing, envelope expansion and performance evaluation
• Lead flight test pilots, engineers and supporting teams
• Manage flight test risk assessments and approvals
• Work with engineering, airworthiness and certification teams for regulatory compliance
• Liaise with aviation authorities (GCAA, EASA)
• Initially support Chief Test Pilot and Chief Flight Test Engineer functions

Skills

Flight Test Leadership

Regulatory Compliance

Project Management

Rotary-wing / eVTOL knowledge

Liaison with authorities

Education

Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering degree

Job description

Volantes Technical Recruitment Ltd Verified

United Arab Emirates

Pilot

Test Pilot

Onsite

Full time

$240,000 - $260,000

2 days ago

Head of Flight Test – eVTOL Aircraft Development

Location: Dubai, UAE

Employment Type: Full-Time

Industry: Aerospace / Advanced Air Mobility / eVTOL

The Opportunity

We are recruiting for an experienced Head of Flight Test to join an exciting, next-generation eVTOL aircraft development programme based in Dubai.

This is a senior leadership opportunity to establish and lead the Flight Test Organisation (FTO), overseeing prototype development, experimental flight testing, certification activities and flight test safety.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in taking a new aircraft platform through development, flight testing and certification.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish, develop and lead the Flight Test Organisation (FTO), including ownership of the Flight Test Operations Manual (FTOM).
• Develop and execute flight test strategies, programmes and certification campaigns.
• Oversee experimental flight testing, envelope expansion, aircraft performance evaluation and flight test safety.
• Lead flight test pilots, flight test engineers and supporting technical teams.
• Manage flight test risk assessments, flight readiness reviews and operational approvals.
• Work closely with engineering, airworthiness and certification teams to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Liaise with aviation authorities, including GCAA and EASA.
• Initially support the Chief Test Pilot and Chief Flight Test Engineer functions.

Essential Requirements

• 12+ years of flight test experience, including at least 5 years within an approved flight test organisation or equivalent military establishment.
• Strong background in rotorcraft, VTOL, tiltrotor or eVTOL flight testing.
• Formal rotary-wing flight test training from a recognised test pilot school or equivalent approved course.
• Proven experience leading aircraft development or certification flight test programmes.
• Experience with Category 1 experimental flight testing, envelope expansion and aircraft performance evaluation.
• Strong working knowledge of EASA Part 21 / GCAA CAR 21, CS-27 / CS-29 and relevant certification processes.
• Demonstrated leadership, flight test safety management and technical decision-making capabilities.
• Degree in Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering or equivalent professional or military flight test qualification.

Highly Desirable

• Previous experience as Head of Flight Test, Chief Test Pilot or Chief Flight Test Engineer.
• Experience establishing a Flight Test Organisation and developing an FTOM.
• eVTOL, distributed electric propulsion or advanced air mobility development experience.
• Knowledge of SC-VTOL certification requirements.
• Experience with remotely piloted or autonomous VTOL aircraft.