Flight Test Engineer

ACE Partners; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

ACE Partners in Los Angeles is seeking an experienced Experimental Flight Test Engineer to support development and certification of rotorcraft hardware and systems.

You will work hands-on across the full flight test lifecycle, partnering with engineering, certification, and flight operations to mature new aircraft and systems from development through type certification, while leading safety analyses and test reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related technical discipline from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience as an experimental flight test engineer.
• Experience with development and type certification flight test programs.
• Strong understanding of experimental flight-testing principles, aerodynamics, performance, and flying qualities.
• Working knowledge of aircraft systems, avionics flight test methods, and applicable FAR requirements.
• Proven experience managing risk and safety in an experimental flight test environment.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop experimental flight test requirements and translate engineering objectives into test plans, cards, and procedures.
• Act as a flight test crew member and/or test conductor during rotorcraft tests.
• Plan, brief, execute, and debrief complex flight test sorties following safety and test processes.
• Analyze flight test data and produce flight test reports and documentation.
• Define requirements for and support installation of specialized flight test instrumentation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop test strategies and execution plans.
• Support development and certification flight test programmers for fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft.
• Lead and participate in flight test safety activities and interfaces with regulatory authorities (FAA, EASA, TCCA).
• Participate in design reviews and assist in resolving cross-discipline issues.
• Maintain configuration control of test articles and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Maintain currency across multiple experimental rotorcraft.

Skills

Flight test engineering

Risk management

Project management

Communication skills

Data analysis

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Microsoft Office

Job description

ACE Partners is supporting one of their Aviation partners with an experienced Experimental Flight Test Engineering opportunity; to support the development and certification with their existing and new pro This role sits within a small, highly capable flight test team responsible for planning, executing, analyzing, and reporting on ground and flight test activities for experimental rotorcraft and systems.

You will work hands-on across the full flight test lifecycle, partnering closely with engineering, certification, and flight operations to safely mature new aircraft and systems from early development through type certification.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop experimental flight test requirements and translate engineering objectives into safe, effective test plans, test cards, and procedures
• Act as a flight test crew member and/or test conductor during development and research flight tests of experimental rotorcraft
• Plan, brief, execute, and debrief complex flight test sorties in accordance with approved safety and test processes
• Analyze flight test data and produce clear, concise flight test reports and technical documentation
• Define requirements for, and support the design and installation of, specialized flight test instrumentation
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to develop test strategies, configurations, schedules, and execution plans
• Support development and certification flight test programmers for fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft
• Lead and participate in flight test safety activities, including hazard identification, risk mitigation, test readiness reviews, and safety briefings
• Interface directly with regulatory authorities (FAA, EASA, TCCA) in support of certification flight test activities
• Participate in design reviews and assist in resolving cross-discipline technical issues
• Maintain configuration control of test articles and ensure compliance with internal processes and regulatory requirements
• Maintain flight test engineer currency across multiple experimental rotorcraft
• Contribute to continuous improvement of flight test methods, tools, and organizational processes

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related technical discipline from an accredited institution
• Minimum 5 years’ experience as an experimental flight test engineer
• Demonstrated experience in development and type certification flight test programmers
• Strong understanding of experimental flight-testing principles, aerodynamics, performance, and flying qualities
• Working knowledge of aircraft systems, avionics flight test methods, and applicable FAR requirements
• Proven experience managing risk and safety in an experimental flight test environment
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Self-starter with strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work irregular hours and travel to offsite test locations as required
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and standard engineering software tools

Desired Qualifications

• Graduate of a recognized flight test school or equivalent flight test experience
• Experience defining, designing, and installing specialized flight test instrumentation
• DER and/or ODA experience
• Master’s degree in engineering or related technical discipline