Flight Test Engineer

SkyBridge Aviation; Alabama; On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

SkyBridge Aviation seeks an experienced Flight Test Sciences Engineer to support ground and flight testing for aircraft modification programs involving OML, avionics, and interior modifications on Part 23 and Part 25 certified aircraft.

The role analyzes flight-test data, develops mathematical models, and contributes to Airplane Flight Manuals. Travel up to 20% is required; a DoD security clearance may be needed for some programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, or related STEM field.
• 3-5 years in flight-test data reduction, aircraft-performance engineering, or aerodynamic modeling.
• Strong knowledge of FAA Part 23/25 certification processes and related regs.
• Experience with instrumentation, data analysis, and performance charts.
• Ability to produce technical reports and substantiation documents.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Generate, review, and approve models for aircraft performance and ops data.
• Extract coefficients and derivatives from flight-test data.
• Apply regression to relate empirical data to models.
• Process data from flight-data recorders and DAQ systems.
• Produce performance data for initial flight testing.
• Prepare AFMs/AFMSs with updated charts and limits.
• Submit flight-test reports to FAA, military, and customers.
• Collaborate with flight-test teams to maintain data integrity.

Skills

Flight-test data analysis

Data modeling

Regulatory compliance

Report writing

Team collaboration

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering (preferred)

Tools

MATLAB

Python

VBA

Job description

• Domestic and international travel up to 20%
• Schedule flexibility and overtime required during active flight-test windows
• Must be a U.S. citizen capable of obtaining and maintaining a DoD Secret security clearance
• Ability to obtain and maintain an FAA Class III medical certificate if required

WHY JOIN US?

This is an opportunity for an experienced Flight Test Sciences Engineer to support ground and flight testing for aircraft modification programs involving Outer Mold Line (OML), avionics, aircraft systems, and interior modifications on Part 23 and Part 25 certified aircraft.

• Analyze flight-test data supporting aircraft development, certification, performance evaluation, and systems verification.
• Develop mathematical models that produce definitive aircraft performance and operational information.
• Contribute to Airplane Flight Manuals and Airplane Flight Manual Supplements.
• Collaborate with flight-test engineers, test pilots, instrumentation specialists, and design engineering teams.
• Support regulatory-compliance efforts for FAA, military, and customer programs.

POSITION / OPPORTUNITY OVERVIEW

• The Flight Sciences Engineer processes, validates, analyzes, and interprets flight-test data supporting aircraft development and certification programs.
• This role performs flight-test data reduction, parameter identification, aerodynamic modeling, and aircraft performance analysis.
• The engineer transforms complex datasets into mathematical models used to establish aircraft performance and develop operational documentation.
• The ideal candidate has strong knowledge of aircraft performance, flight characteristics, instrumentation, systems testing, and FAA Part 23 and Part 25 certification requirements.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Generate, review, and approve mathematical models used to determine aircraft performance and operational information.
• Extract aerodynamic coefficients, thrust-drag models, and stability derivatives from flight-test data.
• Apply statistical regression techniques to correlate empirical flight-test data with theoretical engineering models.
• Format and process data obtained from onboard flight-data recorders and data-acquisition systems.
• Produce estimated performance data used to operate test aircraft during initial flight testing.
• Perform, review, and approve flight-characteristics and aircraft-performance data analyses.
• Develop performance and operational information for inclusion in Airplane Flight Manuals and Airplane Flight Manual Supplements.
• Manage the preparation of AFMs and AFMSs containing updated performance charts, operating limitations, and procedures.
• Prepare, review, and approve flight-test reports and substantiation documents for submission to FAA, military, and other regulatory authorities.
• Collaborate with flight-test engineers, test pilots, instrumentation specialists, and design teams to maintain data integrity and regulatory compliance.
• Manage priorities, assignments, schedules, and deliverables across multiple programs.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, or a closely related STEM field.
• Three to five years of direct experience in flight-test data reduction, aircraft-performance engineering, or aerodynamic modeling.
• Strong understanding of aircraft certification processes and FAA Part 23 and Part 25, military, or customer regulatory requirements.
• Advanced knowledge of aircraft performance, flight characteristics, systems testing, flight-test instrumentation, and engineering-data analysis.
• Experience developing mathematical models from complex flight-test datasets.
• Ability to prepare technical reports, substantiation documents, aircraft performance charts, and operational information.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple programs, prioritize assignments, and track deliverables.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Must be a U.S. citizen capable of obtaining and maintaining a Department of Defense Secret security clearance.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an FAA Class III medical certificate if required for flight-test participation.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 20%.
• Willingness to work overtime and maintain schedule flexibility during active flight-test windows.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Proficiency with MATLAB, Python, VBA, or specialized aircraft-performance software used to develop data-reduction algorithms.
• Experience working directly with FAA Designated Engineering Representatives, Organization Designation Authorization units, or military airworthiness organizations.
• Previous experience serving as an active Flight Test Engineer.

PHYSICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work in office, aircraft hangar, flight-line, and test-site environments.
• Ability to travel to domestic and international customer sites, hangars, and flight-test locations.
• Ability to participate in flight-test activities when required and medically qualified.
• Ability to work extended or nonstandard hours during active flight-test periods.
• Ability to safely work in and around operational aircraft and active testing environments.