Flight Test Engineer

Vlinc; Elizabeth City (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k)

Paid time off

Job summary

VLinc Corporation seeks a Flight Test Engineer to support rotary-wing developmental test and evaluation. You will plan test events, ride along as non-pilot aircrew when needed, analyze data, and write reports that drive engineering and program decisions.

You will work alongside an experienced test pilot and a multidisciplinary team of engineers, maintainers, and program staff to ensure rigorous testing and documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering.
• At least 5 years of experience in aircraft test and evaluation or related field.
• Experience developing test plans, analyzing test data, and writing engineering test reports.
• Proficiency with data analysis tools such as MATLAB or Python.
• Active DoD SECRET security clearance, or the ability to obtain one.
• U.S. citizenship.
• Ability to qualify for and perform non-pilot aircrew duties, including flight physical and aircrew training.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds unassisted.

Responsibilities

• Develop test plans, test cards, procedures, and schedules for ground and flight test events.
• Define instrumentation and data acquisition requirements, and coordinate installation, calibration, and configuration control.
• Support test hazard analyses, risk assessments, safety reviews, and test readiness reviews.
• Fly as a non-pilot aircrew member on test flights: run test cards, monitor aircraft and test systems, and record data in flight.
• Reduce and analyze flight test data, chase down anomalies, and recommend engineering or corrective action.
• Write clear, defensible test reports and supporting technical documentation.
• Review test plans and reports prepared by other members of the test team.
• Work directly with test pilots, design engineers, OEM representatives, and program staff.

Skills

Data analysis

MATLAB

Python

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Non-pilot aircrew duties

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

VLinc Corporation is looking for a Flight Test Engineer to support rotary-wing developmental test and evaluation. This is a hands-on role. You will plan test events, ride along as non-pilot aircrew when the test calls for it, work the data afterward, and write the reports that engineering and program decisions get made from. You will work side by side with an experienced developmental test pilot and a multi-discipline team of engineers, maintainers, and program staff.

If you have spent time around flight test and want to be the engineer the test team relies on, not one of fifty on a large program, this is a good fit.

What You Will Do

• Develop test plans, test cards, procedures, and schedules for ground and flight test events.
• Define instrumentation and data acquisition requirements, and coordinate installation, calibration, and configuration control.
• Support test hazard analyses, risk assessments, safety reviews, and test readiness reviews.
• Fly as a non-pilot aircrew member on test flights: run test cards, monitor aircraft and test systems, and record data in flight.
• Reduce and analyze flight test data, chase down anomalies, and recommend engineering or corrective action.
• Write clear, defensible test reports and supporting technical documentation.
• Review test plans and reports prepared by other members of the test team.
• Work directly with test pilots, design engineers, OEM representatives, and program staff.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering, or a related technical field.
• At least 5 years of experience in aircraft test and evaluation, aviation systems engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Experience developing test plans, analyzing test data, and writing engineering test reports.
• Proficiency with data analysis tools such as MATLAB or Python.
• Active DoD SECRET security clearance, or the ability to obtain one.
• U.S. citizenship.
• Ability to qualify for and perform non-pilot aircrew duties, including passing a flight physical and completing aircrew survival and egress training.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds unassisted.

Preferred Qualifications

• 10 or more years of flight test or aviation engineering experience.
• H-60 series experience, or other military rotorcraft test experience.
• Graduate of a recognized flight test engineer course (USNTPS, USAF TPS, or National Test Pilot School).
• Experience with flight test instrumentation and data acquisition system design or operation.
• Familiarity with military airworthiness qualification processes.
• NVG-aided or shipboard/dynamic interface test experience.
• Master's degree in an engineering or technical field.
• Society of Flight Test Engineers (SFTE) membership or certification.

About VLinc

VLinc Corporation is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business specializing in aviation sustainment engineering, integrated logistics support, and test and evaluation for defense and homeland security customers. Our team is built around people who have flown, maintained, and engineered military aircraft for their entire careers.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

• VLinc offers medical benefits, 401(k), and paid time off.

VLinc Corporation is an equal opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.