Flight Test Team Lead

Honda Research Institute USA; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Honda Research Institute USA is seeking a Flight Test Team Lead in San Luis Obispo, CA. This role involves leading flight test engineering and operations for the Honda eVTOL project, ensuring safe execution of ground and flight tasks while managing a diverse team.

The ideal candidate has over 10 years of experience in aircraft development, preferably with hands-on flight test experience. Responsibilities include day-to-day team management, collaboration on flight testing, and thorough documentation. The position requires a Bachelor's degree in a STEM field and comprehensive knowledge of aircraft performance and FAA regulations.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in aircraft development and flight testing.
• Experience leading flight test programs.
• Knowledge in aeronautical engineering and FAA regulations.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day flight test team operations.
• Collaborate with flight test team for safe aircraft operation.
• Generate and review test documentation and reports.
• Implement safety and risk mitigation procedures.

Skills

Flight test engineering

Team leadership

Aircraft performance knowledge

Engineering principles in STEM

Education

Bachelor's in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math

Job description

Flight Test Team Lead - Honda Research Institute USA

Honda is on a mission to revolutionize freedom of mobility by building the next generation of mobility ecosystem with the Honda eVTOL vehicle at its core. Through Honda's new mobility ecosystem, we will serve people with a vehicle which represents all of Honda's value. We are seeking a Flight Test Team Lead to accelerate the development and testing of our new advanced air mobility vehicle.

San Luis Obispo, CA

The applicant is expected to lead the flight test engineering and operations team to safely perform the on-ground and in-flight duties in support of the passenger transport aircraft intended to partake in the Urban Air Mobility (UAM)/ Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and future product development.

This position is within the Test and Evaluation Group and lead the flight test engineering and operations team in performing all team activities and maintain associated deliverable reports as the project progresses. Typical responsibility includes reviewing and executing research and development test, ground and flight test requests, developing and executing test plans, test procedures, test reports, testing safety assessments, test data coordination, authoring test plans to include test specifications, defining test success criteria, and analysis methods, test data reduction and analysis, test hardware selection support, supporting desktop simulations, high‑fidelity laboratory testing, research and development engineering testing, and on‑airplane ground/in‑flight tests to gather data and assess airplane flying and handling qualities and requirements compliance.

The applicant is expected to function well with a blended team of engineers such as a flight science, safety, aircraft systems, electrical system, facility team, aircraft maintenance team, and other disciplines, management, and airplane support staff with varying experience levels and diverse backgrounds but also complete scheduled tasks independently.

Key Responsibilities

• Day-to-day management of the flight test team members including pilots and engineers by maintaining a schedule of tasks and deliverables
• Apply collaborative approach with flight test team to execute flying onboard experimental aircraft and/or unmanned flying vehicle operation as a crewmember following appropriate training.
• Communication and coordination of efforts relating to testing activities with all other disciplines
• Test documentation and reporting, including technical review and generation of test plans, instructions, test limitations and post flight reports.
• Coordination of test aircraft and experimental equipment configuration for test.
• Conduct and implement safety and risk mitigation procedures as defined by company policies, and compliance with FAA Regulations (be familiar with FAA Order 4040.26B).
• Ensure test team is adequately trained for the appropriate missions including manned and unmanned aircraft operations and telemetry room staff.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM Degree).
• A minimum of 10 years of experience working in aircraft development projects with hands‑on flight test engineering or flight test pilot experience working ground and/or flight test.
• Experience leading flight test programs or projects.
• Fundamental knowledge of aircraft performance, mechanical, structure, material, and electrical engineering with aeronautical engineering is required.
• Full-time working on-site at the company flight test center and/or office required.

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience in the Flight Test and Certification roles or at least one full FAA certification program Part 23/25/27/29 (from first flight to certification).
• Private or commercial pilot license.
• Unmanned aircraft test experience.
• Electric Propulsion test experience.
• Knowledge of DO-160, DO-178C, and DO-254.

Desired Start Date: 7/6/2026

Position Keywords

Flight Test Team Lead, eVTOL, Aero Industry