Senior Flight Test Engineer

CoAspire; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 138,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package

401(k) match

PTO and federal holidays

Job summary

CoAspire in Northern Virginia is seeking a Senior Flight Test Engineer to plan, coordinate, and execute missile flight tests. You will lead test campaigns, analyze data, and report findings to leadership and government customers, working with multidisciplinary teams to ensure safety, performance, and mission readiness.

The role requires 8+ years in aerospace test, a related bachelor’s degree, and familiarity with flight-test procedures, range operations, and data reduction tools.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in aerospace test/evaluation.
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant engineering.
• Experience with flight tests, range ops, data analysis.
• Experience with onboard testing and TM room testing.
• Familiarity with MIL-STD-1760, DO-178/DO-254.
• Strong safety, data integrity, and problem-solving.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain security clearance.
• Team-oriented, fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute test plans for missile flight tests.
• Lead test engineer; manage test conduct and safety.
• Create objectives, data requirements, and test strategies.
• Analyze test data to verify performance and identify improvements.
• Support MDO by integrating test data with models.
• Prepare test reports and readiness reviews for stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with range safety and aerospace standards.

Skills

Flight test planning

Test data analysis

Safety compliance

Telemetry monitoring

MIL-STD-1760

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering

Tools

Python

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

CoAspire (https://www.coaspire.com) is a cutting-edge defense manufacturing leader in Northern Virginia, specializing in the precision assembly of advanced weapons systems. With over twelve years of a legacy of innovation, we're at the forefront of building reliable, affordable mass weapons that protect and empower our nation’s warfighters. Our tight-knit team thrives in a collaborative environment where safety, quality, and work-life balance come first with a focus on professional growth at our new 27,000+ sq. ft. facility. Join us to make a tangible impact on mission-critical technology while enjoying Northern Virginia's vibrant community.

Position:

You will serve as a Senior Flight Test Engineer, playing a critical role in the planning, coordination, execution support, data analysis, and reporting for developmental and operational flight tests of our advanced missile and weapons systems. Working under the Flight Test Director and closely with multidisciplinary engineering, manufacturing, program management, and test leadership teams, you will lead test events effectively validate system performance, safety, and mission effectiveness across realistic flight profiles and operational environments.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and execution of comprehensive test plans for missile flight tests, including ground tests and other flight test campaigns.
• Serve as lead test engineer; direct test conduct, monitor system performance, ensure adherence to safety protocols, and coordinate with range personnel, instrumentation teams, and other stakeholders as necessary.
• Develop test objectives, success criteria, and data requirements in collaboration with system engineers and chief engineers; develop test strategies that integrate modeling/simulation with live testing to verify aerodynamic performance, guidance, propulsion, and end-to-end system behavior.
• Lead test data collection, reduction, and detailed analysis; interpret results to assess system performance against requirements, diagnose anomalies, and recommend design or operational improvements.
• Support multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) efforts by integrating test-derived data with avionics, aerodynamic, propulsion, structures, and controls models.
• Prepare technical documentation, analysis summaries, charts, presentations, and create test reports and readiness reviews for internal leadership and external stakeholders (e.g., government customers).
• Ensure compliance with engineering requirements, specifications, range safety standards, and applicable aerospace/military standards.

Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience in aerospace test and evaluation, with hands-on experience supporting or leading aspects of flight testing for missile, weapons, aircraft, and/or aerospace systems.
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in planning and supporting complex flight tests, including test procedure development, range operations coordination, and post-test data analysis/reporting.
• Demonstrated experience with both on-board aircraft testing and telemetry monitoring (TM) room testing.
• Familiarity with aerospace and defense standards (e.g., MIL-STD-1760, range safety requirements, DO-178, DO-254 ).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with rigorous attention to safety, verification, data integrity, and engineering accuracy.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance and background-screening requirements.
• Comfortable working in a collaborative, team-oriented, fast-paced, dynamic environment with a focus on mission success and continuous improvement.

Desired Skills:

• Proficiency with test data reduction tools, scripting for analysis (e.g., Python, MATLAB/Simulink), and familiarity with CFD or trajectory simulation environments is a strong plus.
• Graduate of a recognized test pilot school such as Empire Test Pilot School, US Naval Test Pilot School, USAF Test Pilot School or other similar schools.
• Prior experience with missile, hypersonic weapon, or defense flight test programs in a contractor or government environment.
• Knowledge of instrumentation, telemetry systems, data acquisition, and post-flight reconstruction techniques.
• Experience with operational test (OT) and developmental test (DT) activities.
• Familiarity with multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) or integration of modeling/simulation with live flight testing.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time to support flight test events, range operations, customer meetings, and other program activities at government and contractor test facilities throughout the United States.
• Ability to work in dynamic outdoor flight test environments, including exposure to varying weather conditions, loud noise, dust, heat, cold, and uneven terrain.
• Ability to stand, walk, climb stairs and ladders, and move throughout hangars, manufacturing facilities, test ranges, and flight line environments for extended periods, including shifts of up to 8 hours on non-test days, up to 12 hours on most test days, with occasional extended shifts of up to 16 hours on test days as operational needs require.
• Ability and willingness to fly aboard aircraft as part of the flight test crew performing a necessary function of the test.
• Ability to operate in secure government and military facilities while complying with all site-specific safety, security, and PPE requirements.
• Ability to work flexible schedules when supporting test campaigns, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, or extended hours based on mission and test event requirements.
• Must possess adequate visual acuity, hearing, and communication ability to safely support flight test operations, instrumentation reviews, and mission coordination activities.
• Ability to sit for extended periods while performing engineering analysis, documentation, reporting, and computer-based test data review.
• Ability to safely lift, carry, push, or pull equipment and materials up to 35 pounds as needed in support of test operations.

Beyond competitive pay, we offer:

• Full benefits beginning first of month following hire: medical, dental and vision
• 401(k) with generous company match and immediate vesting
• PTO and Federal holidays

The anticipated salary range for this position is $138,000 -$180,000 Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity.