Flight Research Engineer

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI); Edwards (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

MTSI seeks a Flight Research Engineer to support CyPhER Forge and the X-62, reporting to the DARPA PM and collaborating with Edwards AFB TPS. This role blends research engineering, curriculum instruction, and flying duties to advance cutting-edge projects.

You will lead test planning, perform data analysis, and coordinate with TPS, 412th TW, and industry partners to execute missions and deliver validated results for digital twin development.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 12 years of relevant experience in planning, executing, and managing flight research and a reputation of being a team player.
• Experience with digital engineering, digital twins, physics-informed or surrogate modeling, uncertainty quantification, or data assimilation.
• Qualified/test conductor director experience or ability to achieve qualification; capable to lead flight test missions.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior technical lead supporting CyPhER Forge digital twin development, validation, and live demonstration.
• Lead or contribute to accelerated flight-sciences test campaigns generating high-value empirical data for digital twin assimilation and AI training/evaluation.
• Perform real-time and post-flight data analysis, compare outputs with measurements, identify anomalies, refine models, and update test plans as needed.
• Coordinate with TPS faculty, students, 412th Test Wing, Air Force Test Center elements, industry partners, modelers, and AI/ML teams for aircraft availability, range support, resources, and integrated test events.
• Develop, review, and approve test plans, safety plans/Test Hazard Analyses, test cards, instrumentation requirements, data collection strategies, and configuration control documents.

Skills

Flight research

Team leadership

Maturity

Communication

Data analysis

Stakeholder liaison

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM

Tools

Digital engineering

Digital twins

Physics-informed modeling

Data assimilation

Job description

MTSI is seeking Flight Research Engineer candidates to support various research projects to include CyPhER Forge and the X-62. This position will report to the DARPA PM but work in conjunction with the USAF Test Pilot School (TPS) at Edwards AFB. This role will perform research engineering, curriculum instruction, act as a liaison between DARPA and Doolittle Labs, and allows for flying duties.

Location for this position is Edwards AFB, CA.

The Following Specific Duties Are Anticipated

• Serve as a senior technical lead supporting CyPhER Forge digital twin development, validation, and live demonstration.
• Lead or contribute to the planning, coordination, and execution of accelerated flight-sciences test campaigns that generate high-value empirical data for digital twin assimilation, model refinement, and AI agent training/evaluation.
• Perform real-time and post-flight data analysis, comparing digital twin outputs against measured engineering quantities of interest; identify anomalies, refine models, quantify confidence/margins in the flight envelope, and support adaptive test plan updates
• While supporting under the DARPA PM, coordinate with TPS faculty/staff, students, 412th Test Wing / Air Force Test Center elements, industry partners, modelers, and AI/ML teams for aircraft availability, modifications, range support, resources, and integrated test events.
• Upon DARPA direction, perform the research focused, operations engineering associated with the X-62 aircraft (after the extensive Mission System Upgrade (MSU) modification), which include:
• Assisting the TPS dean of flight research (DFR) to coordinate research efforts and their associated test missions efforts that could utilize the X-62, including TPS Test Management Projects (TMPs).
• Aircraft configuration control, operations security, and scheduling
• Test Execution - Conductor/Director duties
• Develop, review, and approve test plans, safety plans/Test Hazard Analyses, test cards, instrumentation requirements, data collection strategies, and configuration control documents tailored to research objectives.
• Perform curriculum based instructional activities to include onboard instruction, as required.
• Other duties in-line with MTSI’s core value to “Own and Solve our Customer’s Problems”.

Required

• Minimum of 12 years of relevant experience in all phases of planning, executing, and managing flight research and a reputation of being a team player. The demands of the DARPA/Doolittle Labs projects are unique due to their leading-edge, low-TRL research mission focus.
• Experience with digital engineering, digital twins, physics-informed or surrogate modeling, uncertainty quantification, or data assimilation.
• Experience running or executing missions from a Mission Control Room. Qualified (or skills & experience necessary to achieve qualification) test conductor/director (TC/TD).
• Maturity and professionalism to lead the execution of flight test missions, briefings and oversee team of discipline engineers to support Flight Test Operations.
• Work well in a team environment as well as independently. Skilled in making valued, trusted, defendable recommendations to leadership.
• Experience generating test plans, flight test mission material, post‑mission & detailed final reports.
• Position requires willingness to accept changing and evolving roles & responsibilities in support of customers’ requirements and needs.

Qualifications Desired

• USAF Test Pilot School Graduate or similar
• Experience with AI/ML and autonomous aircraft systems.
• Experience with research programs within the military flight test domain.
• Wide breadth of aircraft test related experience, examples include sensors, EW, T-2 modifications, fight dynamics/performance, aircraft systems, and system networks.
• Direct experience or extensive familiarization with DoD Class II modification processes, aircraft airworthiness & approvals, and aircraft H/W & S/W configuration control.
• Developmental Test experience

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field

Travel

• Travel up to 25% may be required for this position.

Clearance Requirements

• Secret clearance is required.
• Ability to obtain TS/SCI

U.S. Citizenship is required

The expected pay range for this position in California is $150,000/year to $220,000/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on established government contract ranges, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience, and other factors. MTSI also offers a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Base pay information is based on market location.