Flight Sciences Test Engineer

Executive Recruiting Group; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Executive Recruiting Group is seeking a Flight Sciences Test Engineer in San Luis Obispo, California. This role involves supporting aircraft development, performance analysis, and real-time flight test support. The ideal candidate should have extensive experience in aerospace engineering and strong programming skills.

The candidate will be responsible for developing performance analysis tools, coordinating flight tests, and providing real-time support during missions. A Master’s degree and 5-10 years of relevant experience are required for this challenging position.

Qualifications

• 5 to 10 years of experience in aerospace performance or flight test engineering.
• Participation in flight test events for various aircraft types.
• Strong theoretical background in aerodynamics and flight dynamics.

Responsibilities

• Analyze aircraft performance and produce reports for nominal and failure scenarios.
• Develop performance analysis tools to enhance efficiency.
• Coordinate testing with pilots and engineers.

Skills

Performance analysis

Flight test engineering

Programming in MATLAB/Simulink

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in engineering

Master's Degree in engineering

Tools

C++

Python

CFD analysis toolsets

Job description

We are seeking a Flight Sciences Test engineer who will support and participate in all phases of aircraft development from initial aircraft mission performance analysis to real-time flight test support and data analysis. You will be responsible for developing processes and tools for post‑flight test data reduction and expansion from aircraft flight manual development. This position is unique as it spans large parts of the engineering design cycle and supports both the Flight Sciences and Test & Evaluation groups.

Duties

• Analyze aircraft performance for nominal and failure scenarios, and produce engineering reports.
• Develop and extend performance analysis tools and processes to continue to build efficiency and capability going forward.
• Generate detailed flight test plans including test hazard analysis.
• Coordinate reviews and test planning with the test pilots and other engineers.
• Define instrumentation requirements for test events.
• Provide real‑time support for flight test missions via telemetry.
• Predict aircraft flight/ground test results by using models, compare the prediction to test data, identify and resolve issues, and update the models/design as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a relevant engineering area, with a Master's Degree.
• 5 to 10 years of experience as a performance, flight science, or flight test engineer in the aerospace industry, in eVTOL, rotorcraft, or aircraft.
• Participation in performance flight test events on fixed‑wing, rotorcraft, or powered‑lift platforms.
• Knowledgeable in rotorcraft and/or airplane design and performance analysis.
• General theoretical background in aerodynamics, flight dynamics, physics, and mass properties.
• Strong programming skills in tools such as MATLAB/Simulink.
• General knowledge of 14 CFR Part 23/25/27/29 requirements for aircraft.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred

• Understands the requirements of operations specifications per FAR 91, FAR 121, and FAR 135.
• Knowledge and experience with C++, Python programming, or other engineering programming languages.
• Knowledge and experience with CFD analysis toolsets.
• Capability with aerodynamic prediction tools such as vortex‑lattice and panel codes.
• Electric propulsion test experience.
• Private or commercial pilot license.