Chief Test Pilot

BAE Systems - UK; Preston; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace company in the United Kingdom is seeking a Chief Test Pilot to lead flight test activities across various platforms. You will manage a diverse team, plan and execute flight test missions, and ensure compliance with aviation regulations. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience as a military or civilian fast jet test pilot and a formal qualification from a recognized test pilot school. Competitive benefits are offered in addition to a competitive salary.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible discounted health benefits

Qualifications

• Extensive experience as a military or civilian fast jet test pilot.
• Formal Class A qualification from a recognised test pilot school required.
• Proven leadership in flight test operations and understanding of flight test planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of test pilots.
• Plan, brief, execute, and debrief flight test missions.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards as the Flying Operations Post Holder.

Skills

Extensive experience as a military or civilian fast jet test pilot

Demonstrated leadership in flight test operations

Proven ability to work across multidisciplinary teams

Current CofC or equivalent on military fast jet

Knowledge of UK and international aviation regulations

Education

Formal Class A qualification from a recognised test pilot school

Current EASA/CAA CPL/IR with Class 1 medical

Job description

Job Title: Chief Test Pilot

Location: Warton - Onsite

Salary: Competitive

What you’ll be doing

• Leading and managing our diverse team of test pilots and flight test personnel
• Planning, briefing, executing, and debriefing flight test missions for fast jet and RPAS platforms
• Developing and maintaining flight test procedures, safety protocols, and risk assessments
• Liaising with engineering, programme, and regulatory teams to ensure test objectives are met
• Providing authoritative input into aircraft design, handling qualities, and system integration
• Representing the organisation in regulatory and customer‑facing engagements
• Overseeing pilot training, standardisation, and currency for test operations
• Chairing or contributing to flight safety committees, trials boards and incident reviews
• Maintaining a robust flight safety culture and compliance with all regulatory standards as the Flying Operations Post Holder
• Managing the provision of test crew SQEP to ground and air programmes on a day‑to‑day basis
• Continuing the development of pilot competencies and test readiness including future technologies as well as providing strategic input into aircraft development and future capability programmes

Your skills and experiences

• Extensive experience as a military or civilian fast jet test pilot
• Formal Class A qualification from a recognised test pilot school (e.g., ETPS, USAF TPS, USNTPS)
• Demonstrated leadership in flight test operations and team management as well as an in‑depth understanding of flight test planning, execution, and analysis
• Current CofC or equivalent on military fast jet with valid medical category
• Current EASA/CAA CPL/IR with Class 1 medical
• Knowledge of UK and international aviation regulations (CAA, MAA, EASA)
• Proven ability to work across multidisciplinary teams and complex programmes
• Experience in developmental and certification flight testing

Benefits

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Flight Operations team

The Chief Test Pilot is responsible for leading and supervising all flight test activities across BAE Systems Fast Jet, Civil Aircraft and RPAS platforms both on the ground and in the air.

This senior role ensures the safe, effective, and compliant execution of flight test operations whilst providing strategic leadership, technical expertise, and operational oversight to the flight test team and wider business.

The Chief Test Pilot will act as the principal authority on flight test matters, supporting aircraft development, certification, capability enhancement, training and export programmes as well as liaison with other flight test centres, customer organisations and regulators.

The role is based at BAE Systems Warton, although the incumbent will be required to support and participate in BAE Systems detachments to both UK and overseas locations, participate in flying‑related activities, engagements with partners and customers within the UK and overseas.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 10th December 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.