Engineering Flight Test Specialist III

AeroVironment, Inc.; Moorpark, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 43,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental & Vision

401K with company matching

9/80 schedule

Paid holidays

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. in Moorpark, CA, seeks an Engineering Flight Test Specialist III who serves as remote pilot in command for unmanned aircraft systems during flight testing, ATPs, and demonstrations.

Responsibilities include detailed post-flight reporting, feedback on aircraft performance, flight demonstrations, QC testing, inventory control, and problem solving during tests. Candidates should have a high school diploma, 4–6 years of related experience, and FAA Part 107 certification.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 4–6 years of relevant experience or equivalent.
• Experience with manufacturing systems, processes and procedures.
• Proficient in MS Word and Excel.
• Experience controlling RC aircraft systems and handling emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Prepares detailed post flight test reporting and adheres to safety protocols.
• Provides feedback to departments on aircraft performance.
• Performs flight demonstrations and manages demo equipment, planning, and travel.
• Conducts acceptance quality control (QC) testing before and after flight tests.
• Manages flight test equipment inventory and ensures equipment is in good working order.
• Checks in/out flight test equipment and resolves issues during testing.
• Exhibits judgment and initiative in assignments and leadership tasks.

Skills

MS Word

Excel

Safety protocols

Quick thinking

Emergency procedures

Education

High School diploma or GED

AA degree or Vocational Training

Tools

RC Aircraft

Job description

Worker Type Regular

The Engineering Flight Test Specialist III acts as remote pilot in command for unmanned aircraft systems or vehicles for flight testing, acceptance test protocol (ATP), and various internal and external demonstrations.

Position Responsibilities

• Prepares detailed post flight test reporting and is required to report, follow and ensure adherence to all safety protocols
• Provides pertinent feedback to various department personnel on observed aircraft performance
• Performs flight demonstrations (also in charge of demo equipment, planning, travel, etc.)
• Responsible for acceptance quality control ("QC") system testing before flight test and after flight test
• Manages flight teams inventory and ensure all equipment is in good working order
• Responsible for checking in and out flight test-owned equipment
• Analyzes and solves problems that develop during flight testing
• Works on assignments requiring considerable judgment and initiative.
• Exhibits understanding of implications of work and makes recommendations for solutions
• Determines methods and procedures on new assignments and may serve as informal team leader
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• High School diploma or GED equivalent is required
• 4 - 6 years of relevant work experience is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Experience working with manufacturing systems, processes and procedures
• Requires intermediate to advanced computer operation skills, including familiarity with MS Word and Excel
• Experienced in controlling systems (i.e. RC Aircraft) requiring quick thinking, quick reactions, awareness of subsystem failure symptoms and quickly adapting/responding with appropriate emergency procedures
• Must have and maintain a clean DMV record, in order to drive company vehicles
• Ability to travel within the Continental U.S. in support of flight testing (Frequent)
• Required to pass FAA Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft exam
• Will be required to pass an Annual Proficiency And Readiness Test (APART)

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• AA degree or Vocational Training in related discipline is preferred
• RC/UAS experience is desired
• Prior Military and/or Aviation experience is preferred
• As a skilled specialist, one completes tasks in resourceful and effective ways
• Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
• Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives
• Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products
• Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company
• Demonstrates effective problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal, team leadership and communication skills
• Consistently demonstrates teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above one's own interests

Physical Demands

• Able to work outdoors in extreme weather conditions and traverse across uneven ground and varying terrain (Frequent)
• Able to lift and/or move objects of varying sizes and shapes up to 50 lbs. (Frequent)
• Able to repeatedly throw objects up to 16 lbs. over shoulder (Frequent)
• Required to stand and/or sit for long periods of time (Constant)
• Able to maintain visual line of sight of unmanned air vehicles up to 1 kilometer away (Frequent)
• Able to demonstrate good manual dexterity to assemble and disassemble product (Frequent)

Clearance Level

Secret

Salary

The salary range for this role is: $31 - $48

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental vision
• 401K with company matching
• 9/80 work schedule
• Paid holiday shutdown

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement: This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A "U.S. person" according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits. We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans.

AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR U.S. Citizenship is required. Secret or Top Secret clearance, or the ability obtain a clearance is desired.

About AV: AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re building what’s next. If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

About AV: AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re building what’s next. If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

Careers at AeroVironment