Engineering Flight Test Specialist III

AeroVironment, Inc.; Virginia Colony (CA); On-site; USD 43,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401K with company matching

9/80 schedule

Holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking an Engineering Flight Test Specialist III to act as remote pilot in command for unmanned aircraft systems used in flight testing, ATPs, and demonstrations.

The role involves preparing post-flight reports, providing performance feedback, and leading demo activities while ensuring strict safety and QC standards are met. Travel across the U.S. is required.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• 4–6 years of relevant work experience.
• Experience with manufacturing systems and procedures.
• Proficient with MS Word and Excel.
• Must have and maintain a clean DMV record for driving company vehicles.
• Ability to travel within the Continental U.S. for flight testing.

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.
• Responsible for QC testing before and after flight tests.
• Manages flight teams inventory and equipment check-in/out.
• Analyzes problems during flight testing and proposes solutions.
• Demonstrates judgment and may serve as informal team leader.

Skills

Remote pilot in command

Flight testing

Safety protocols

MS Word & Excel

DMV clean record

Travel ability

FAA Part 107 exam

APART exam

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

RC Aircraft control systems

Job description

Worker Type Regular Job Description Summary

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 solutoins
• 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

  Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

  • 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

  Compensation

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

  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.

  Benefits

  AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.

  For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

  Company Website

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

  Recruiting Policies

  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.

  Citizenship and Clearance

  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 not building history, 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.