Senior Flight Test Engineer - Electric VTOL Programs

Vertical Aviation International; Salinas, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer in San Jose, CA is seeking an experienced Flight Test Manager/Engineer to lead development, ground and flight test plans, and FAA certification activities for our all-electric VTOL aircraft.

You will mentor junior engineers, collaborate with engineering, certification, and quality teams, manage test campaigns, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance while delivering accurate data and test results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in aerospace engineering, engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of flight test operations or aerospace testing experience.
• Knowledge of airworthiness certification flight test programs and regulatory requirements.
• Experience with safety risk management for flight testing or complex operational testing.
• Proven leadership of multidisciplinary teams in test or development environments.
• Excellent collaboration and interpersonal skills.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare development, Company, and FAA Certification Ground and Flight test plans.
• Prepare Flight Test Cards and assemble flight decks for approval and use.
• Run flight decks in sims with flight crew for optimization.
• Participate in Flight Test Safety Risk Management process.
• Prepare test operating limitations and advisories with engineering disciplines.
• Mentor junior engineers in Flight Test processes.
• Collaborate with engineering, certification, and quality teams to define and achieve test objectives.
• Monitor and document test article configuration, maintenance, and modifications during test campaigns.
• Participate in safety risk management activities and maintain compliance with safety standards.
• Help maintain flight test instrumentation and data acquisition systems for accurate data collection.

Skills

Flight test operations

Aerospace testing

Regulatory knowledge

Team leadership

Collaboration skills

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in Aerospace Engineering or related

Job description

Archer in San Jose, CA is seeking an experienced Flight Test Manager/Engineer to lead development, ground and flight test plans, and FAA certification activities for our all-electric VTOL aircraft.

You will mentor junior engineers, collaborate with engineering, certification, and quality teams, manage test campaigns, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance while delivering accurate data and test results.