Flight Test Engineer - Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Griffon Aerospace; Madison (AL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Griffon Aerospace in Huntsville, AL is seeking an experienced Flight Test Engineer to lead test planning, execution, data analysis, and reporting for UAS and avionics systems.

The role requires DoD experience, TS/SCI eligibility, and U.S. citizenship, with travel up to 25% for test campaigns at ranges and government facilities. Excellent communication and leadership skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical, Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.
• 6+ years of engineering experience, with 4+ years in a DoD environment preferred.
• Demonstrated aerospace test and evaluation expertise and ability to serve as an aviation test engineering expert.
• Hands-on experience with UAS flight test planning and execution.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret/SCI DoD clearance; U.S. Citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Lead all phases of flight test from planning to final report recommendations, ensuring on-schedule delivery.
• Serve as project engineer on developmental, operational, and research UAS programs.
• Apply rigorous flight test discipline across planning, operations, and data reduction.
• Interface with government test organizations, prime contractors, and subcontractors for approvals and scheduling.
• Review modification packages for air vehicles and ground control stations; communicate issues to leadership.
• Assess data from tests and provide actionable recommendations to engineering teams.
• Support PX4 mission planning and pre-flight verification procedures.
• Represent Griffon Aerospace professionally to government customers and oversight agencies.

Skills

UAS flight test planning

Aerospace test & evaluation

Team leadership

Technical communication

Flight test planning & execution

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace/Aeronautical/Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree in Aerospace/Aeronautical/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

PX4 autopilot architecture

EKF2 sensor fusion

GPS/GNSS anti-jam systems

Job description

About Griffon Aerospace

Griffon Aerospace is a Huntsville-based engineering and manufacturing company with a 30-year legacy of designing, building, and testing high-performance unmanned aerial targets, UAS platforms, and advanced aviation systems for U.S. and allied defense customers. Our team combines flight test discipline with hands‑on engineering rigor to deliver mission‑critical systems that perform under the most demanding conditions.

Position Overview

Griffon Aerospace is seeking an experienced Flight Test Engineer (FTE) to support developmental and operational tests and evaluation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and avionics systems. The successful candidate will bring disciplined flight test methodology to every phase of a program lifecycle - from concept and planning through execution, data reduction, and final reporting - while serving as a trusted technical authority and project leadership resource across Griffon's test portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all phases of flight test from initial planning and safety review through execution, data collection, analysis, and final report recommendations, ensuring on-schedule program delivery.
• Serve as project engineer on developmental, operational, and research test programs involving fixed-wing UAS.
• Apply rigorous flight test discipline across all planning activities, deployed operations, and post-flight data reduction to maintain the highest standards of airworthiness and data integrity.
• Interface with government test organizations, prime contractors, and subcontractors to coordinate technical and safety plan approvals, communicate program office priorities, and resolve daily scheduling issues.
• Review modification packages for air vehicles, ground control stations (GCS), and associated support equipment; identify and communicate potential issues to program leadership.
• Assess both subjective and objective data acquired during test execution and provide actionable recommendations to engineering and program leadership.
• Support PX4 mission planning activities and contribute to flight controller configuration, parameter management, and pre-flight verification procedures.
• Represent Griffon Aerospace professionally as a technical contact with government customers and oversight agencies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical, Mechanical Engineering, or closely related field.
• 6+ years of engineering experience, with a minimum of 4 years in a DoD environment preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in aerospace test and evaluation; recognized ability to function as an aviation test engineering expert.
• Hands‑on experience with UAS flight test planning and execution.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret / SCI DoD security clearance; U.S. Citizenship required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical, or Mechanical Engineering.
• Familiarity with PX4 autopilot architecture, parameter tuning, and EKF2 sensor fusion.
• Background in UAS avionics integration, including GPS/GNSS anti-jam or alternative navigation systems.
• Prior experience interfacing with government T&E agencies.

Skills & Competencies

• Ability to rapidly assimilate new technical concepts and apply them accurately in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to author test plans, safety documents, and technical reports to government standards.
• Demonstrated team leadership capability with ability to guide less-experienced engineers.
• Proven ability to professionally represent Griffon Aerospace to government and customer stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and composure under operational tempo and schedule pressure.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This is a full-time, onsite position with domestic travel requirements up to 25% in support of flight test campaigns at government and contractor test ranges. The role involves extended periods of standing, occasional heavy equipment handling, exposure to high noise levels and adverse weather, and operation of hand tools and ground support equipment.

Location

Huntsville, AL (Onsite) | Domestic Travel up to 25%

Clearance

Top Secret / SCI Eligible - U.S. Citizenship Required