Lead Flight Test Engineer – Autonomous Defense Systems

KBR Careers; Beavercreek (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K with company match

Medical, dental, vision

Flexible work schedule

Job summary

KBR is seeking an experienced Flight Test Engineer to lead and advance autonomous air refueling flight test efforts with Air Force Research Lab partnerships. You will define test requirements, develop plans and procedures, and manage ground and flight test events, serving as the data analysis expert to ensure safety, performance, and mission readiness.

The role requires deep experience across the flight test lifecycle, strong collaboration with engineering, operations, and management teams, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace or related STEM field.
• Minimum of 10 years hands-on experience in flight test engineering.
• Active Secret security clearance.
• Demonstrated expertise in defining test requirements, developing test plans and procedures, and executing flight tests.
• Proven ability in flight data analysis and the generation of comprehensive test reports.
• Strong understanding of aircraft systems, avionics, flight controls, and performance analysis.
• Familiarity with flight test instrumentation, sensors, and data acquisition systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical information effectively.
• Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Knowledge of FAA and/or military specifications and certification requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of complex flight test programs for various aircraft platforms and systems.
• Develop detailed flight test plans, procedures, and test cards, ensuring clear objectives, performance criteria, and safety standards.
• Manage and oversee ground and flight test events, including range and airspace coordination.
• Instrument test assets and manage data acquisition systems to ensure comprehensive data collection.
• Perform in-depth analysis of flight test data to evaluate aircraft performance, handling qualities, and system functionality.
• Prepare detailed flight test reports, documenting results, highlighting key findings, and providing actionable recommendations.
• Evaluate vendor deliverables to ensure contract performance and compliance.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including engineering, flight operations, and program management.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant safety standards, regulatory requirements, and program guidelines.
• Identify potential safety risks and technical challenges, and develop mitigation strategies.
• Participate in pre-flight briefings and post-flight debriefings.
• Potentially serve as a Test Director, responsible for the overall execution of flight and ground tests.

Skills

Flight test engineering

Test plan development

Data analysis

Report writing

Aircraft systems knowledge

Avionics & flight controls

Instrumentation & data acquisition

Safety & regulatory compliance

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

LabVIEW

Job description

KBR is seeking an experienced Flight Test Engineer to lead and advance autonomous air refueling flight test efforts with Air Force Research Lab partnerships. You will define test requirements, develop plans and procedures, and manage ground and flight test events, serving as the data analysis expert to ensure safety, performance, and mission readiness.

The role requires deep experience across the flight test lifecycle, strong collaboration with engineering, operations, and management teams, and