Flight Test Engineer

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.; Victorville (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. is seeking a Flight Test Engineer for an on-site role in Victorville, CA.

You will plan, coordinate, and execute flight tests for unmanned aircraft, develop test procedures, and work with aerospace, systems, and software teams to verify performance and safety. Responsibilities include analyzing flight data, preparing technical reports, and supporting certification efforts.

Qualifications

• Candidates should possess strong Flight Test Engineering and Flight Test skills, including test planning, execution, and data analysis.
• Candidates should possess knowledge of Aircraft systems, unmanned aerial systems, and related avionics and ground control equipment.
• Candidates should possess skills in Aerospace Engineering, including aerodynamics, propulsion, and performance analysis.
• Candidates should possess Systems Engineering skills, including requirements definition, integration, verification, and validation.
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field; advanced degree is a plus.
• Experience with flight test instrumentation, telemetry, data acquisition tools, and safety protocols in a test environment.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, and standards, and to write clear test procedures and reports.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams on-site.
• Familiarity with military or civil aviation regulations and flight test practices for unmanned systems is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and execute flight test activities for unmanned aircraft systems.
• Develop test plans and procedures, participate in pre-flight and post-flight briefings.
• Monitor aircraft and system performance during tests and analyze flight data.
• Define test requirements, troubleshoot issues, and support configuration changes.
• Document test results and prepare technical reports.
• Contribute to certification and compliance efforts and support process improvements.

Skills

Flight test planning

Data analysis

Aircraft systems knowledge

Aerospace engineering

Systems engineering

Test procedures writing

Communication

On-site teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s in Aerospace Eng

Bachelor’s in Mechanical Eng

Bachelor’s in Electrical Eng

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Telemetry systems

Data acquisition tools

Job description

Company Description

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) develops advanced unmanned aerial systems, radars, and software solutions that support military, security, environmental, and civil missions worldwide. As a global leader in long-endurance unmanned aircraft, GA-ASI enables intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision strike capabilities that transform data into actionable intelligence. The company focuses on delivering proven, persistent, and cost-effective surveillance solutions that support information dominance for its customers. GA-ASI is committed to innovation in disruptive technologies and maintains a strong presence across digital platforms to share updates on its work and advancements.

Role Description

The Flight Test Engineer is a full-time, on-site role based in Victorville, CA, responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing flight test activities for unmanned aircraft systems. Day-to-day tasks include developing test plans and procedures, participating in pre-flight and post-flight briefings, monitoring aircraft and system performance during tests, and analyzing flight data to verify system functionality and safety. The role involves close collaboration with aerospace, systems, and software engineering teams to define test requirements, troubleshoot issues, and support configuration changes. The Flight Test Engineer will document test results, prepare technical reports, contribute to certification and compliance efforts, and support continuous improvement of test processes and methodologies.

Qualifications

• Candidates should possess strong Flight Test Engineering and Flight Test skills, including test planning, execution, and data analysis.
• Candidates should possess knowledge of Aircraft systems, unmanned aerial systems, and related avionics and ground control equipment.
• Candidates should possess skills in Aerospace Engineering, including aerodynamics, propulsion, and performance analysis.
• Candidates should possess Systems Engineering skills, including requirements definition, integration, verification, and validation.
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field; advanced degree is a plus.
• Experience with flight test instrumentation, telemetry, data acquisition tools, and safety protocols in a test environment.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, and standards, and to write clear test procedures and reports.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams on-site.
• Familiarity with military or civil aviation regulations and flight test practices for unmanned systems is beneficial.