Lead Flight Test Engineer

Harris Geospatial Solutions; Ashburn (VA); On-site; USD 122,000 - 227,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and disability insurance

401(k) match

Education assistance

Parental leave

Paid time off

Company‑paid holidays

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies in Ashburn, VA is seeking a Lead Flight Test Engineer to drive comprehensive test campaigns for unmanned aircraft and missile systems. You will plan, execute, and report on ground and flight tests, coordinating with engineering, operations, and safety teams to ensure mission readiness and regulatory compliance.

The role requires strong technical judgment, risk management, and the ability to manage complex test programs across multiple sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or related field; 9+ years in flight test/test & evaluation.
• Graduate Degree; 7+ years experience in related roles.
• In lieu of a degree, 13 years of related experience accepted.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute ground and flight test events for unmanned aircraft and missile systems.
• Develop test objectives, procedures, test cards, evaluation criteria, readiness reviews, and test reports.
• Lead or participate in test readiness reviews, briefings, and debriefs to confirm readiness and define follow‑on actions.
• Coordinate with engineering, operations, maintenance, safety, and program teams for complex test activities.
• Review telemetry, instrumentation, mission results, anomalies; support root‑cause investigations.

Skills

Flight test

Test & evaluation

Cross-functional coordination

Safety planning & risk controls

Python/MATLAB data analysis

Unmanned aircraft test experience

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or related field

Graduate Degree

13+ years experience in lieu of degree

Tools

Linux-based systems

Mission planning software

Job description

L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.

L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Title: Lead, Flight Test Engineer

Job Number: 42026

Job Location: Ashburn, VA

Job Schedule: 9/80 - Employees work 9 out of every 14 days – totaling 80 hours worked – and have every other Friday off

Job Description:

L3Harris Agile Development Group (ADG) is seeking a Flight Test Engineer to join the Flight Test and Evaluation team in support of developmental and operational test activities for unmanned aircraft and missile systems. This role leads complex test events across engineering, flight test, maintenance, and program teams from planning through execution and reporting. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical judgment, disciplined test execution, and the ability to keep challenging efforts organized and moving forward.

The Agile Development Group (ADG) specializes in developing disruptive, next-generation technologies for advanced Unmanned Air Systems (UAS / UAV), advanced radar systems, next-generation weapon systems, and other RF sensor technologies.

Essential Functions:

• Plan and execute ground and flight test events for unmanned aircraft and missile systems.
• Develop test objectives, procedures, test cards, evaluation criteria, readiness review materials, and test reports.
• Lead or participate in test readiness reviews, pre-test briefings, and post-test debriefs to confirm event readiness, communicate risk, capture results, and define follow‑on actions.
• Experience developing and executing test plans, procedures, and reporting packages for technically complex systems.
• Strong knowledge of test planning, technical problem-solving, data review, and anomaly resolution.
• Experience leading airworthiness and flight clearance efforts for developmental test, including preparation and coordination of approval packages such asMFR,AWR, andIFC
• Ability to manage complex assignments with general oversight, coordinate cross‑functional test activities, and provide technical guidance within the test team.
• Experience working across engineering, operations, maintenance, safety, and program teams, with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with the operating rules, range constraints, and approval considerations governing unmanned aircraft or missile system test activities.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% to test locations and work extended hours during active test windows.
• Coordinate vehicle configuration, instrumentation, staffing, logistics, scheduling, and range support for each test event.
• Lead or support complex test operations by coordinating with flight operations, ground support crews, air traffic control, range personnel, and other external stakeholders as required to maintain safe execution, strong team communication, and day‑to‑day technical alignment.
• Support integration, checkout, and verification of avionics, propulsion, flight controls, payload interfaces, and other hardware and software, as applicable.
• Identify hazards, assess risk, and ensure testing is conducted within approved procedures and safety limits.
• Lead preparation and coordination of airworthiness and safety approval packages required to support ground and flight test.
• Review telemetry, instrumentation, mission results, and operator observations; document anomalies; support root‑cause investigations; and define follow‑on testing.
• Work with engineering, operations, and program leadership to refine requirements, resolve issues, and improve test methods.
• Support developmental, integration, qualification, environmental, acceptance, and operationally focused test efforts across hardware and software.
• Travel to test locations and support remote‑site operations, including extended work hours during active test windows, as required.

Qualifications:

• Active U.S. DoD Secret security clearance required; must be a U.S. citizen.
• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, or another relevant technical field, and a minimum of 9 years of prior relevant experience.
• Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related experience.
• In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related experience.

Preferred Additional Skills:

• 9+ years of relevant experience in flight test, developmental test, or test and evaluation for complex aerospace systems.
• Experience supporting developmental or integration test activities for unmanned aircraft, missile systems, or related aerospace platforms.
• Familiarity with flight test instrumentation, telemetry systems, data reduction workflows, and post‑mission analysis tools.
• Experience with subsystem integration and verification involving avionics, propulsion, flight controls, mission systems, or release mechanisms.
• Experience with test safety planning, hazard analysis, and operational risk controls for flight or range activities.
• Experience preparing for and working through service‑specific weapons safety review boards and approval processes in support of developmental test activities.
• Experience working at remote sites and coordinating with internal teams, site personnel, and external partners.
• Familiarity with scripting or data analysis tools such as Python, MATLAB, or similar engineering toolsets.
• Experience with Linux-based systems, mission planning software, or vehicle control and monitoring tools.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in the Greater D.C. areas is Min $122,000.00 - $227,000.00 Max. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company‑paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

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L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug‑free workplace and performs pre‑employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.

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