Flight Performance Engineer: From Concept to Flight Testing

Executive Recruiting Group; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Executive Recruiting Group is seeking a Performance Flight Sciences Engineer to work across vehicle conceptual design, aircraft performance and flight testing—from predicting aircraft capability to supporting tests in real time and comparing results with analytical models.

This role offers a unique opportunity to follow an aircraft from design analysis to actual flight testing, contributing to next-generation aircraft development. Requires 3–10 years in aerospace and proficiency in MATLAB/Python.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field.
• 3–10 years of experience as a performance or flight science engineer in aerospace (rotorcraft, aircraft, or eVTOL).
• Knowledge of aircraft design, performance analysis, basic aerodynamics and flight physics.
• Understanding of engineering optimization and ability to develop optimization-based analyses.
• Proficiency in MATLAB and/or Python for engineering analyses.
• Knowledge and experience with CFD toolsets.
• Capability with aerodynamic prediction tools such as vortex-lattice and panel codes.
• Private or commercial pilot license.

Responsibilities

• Analyze aircraft performance for scenarios and produce engineering reports.
• Develop and extend performance analysis tools and processes.
• Define system requirements and collaborate with design teams on electrical power units, flight controls, and related systems.
• Support test planning with pilots and engineers.
• Predict flight/ground test results using models and update designs accordingly.
• Provide real-time flight test support via telemetry and data analysis.
• Test planning support with the test pilots and other engineers.

Skills

C++ programming

Communication skills

Cross-cultural collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Master's Degree preferred

Tools

MATLAB

Python

CFD toolsets

VLM/Panel codes

Job description

Executive Recruiting Group is seeking a Performance Flight Sciences Engineer to work across vehicle conceptual design, aircraft performance and flight testing—from predicting aircraft capability to supporting tests in real time and comparing results with analytical models.

This role offers a unique opportunity to follow an aircraft from design analysis to actual flight testing, contributing to next-generation aircraft development. Requires 3–10 years in aerospace and proficiency in MATLAB/Python.