Flight Test Engineer - UAV Systems & Data-Driven Validation

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

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.