Senior Flight Test Engineer - UAS & Missile Systems

Jobtailor; Richardson (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor seeks an experienced Flight Test Lead to plan and execute ground and flight tests for unmanned systems in the U.S. DoD environment.

You will develop objectives, procedures, readiness materials, and test reports, coordinating with engineering, operations, and leadership to ensure safety and mission success. You will guide airworthiness processes, review telemetry, document anomalies, and lead cross-functional coordination across test teams while traveling up to 25% and supporting

Qualifications

• Active U.S. DoD Secret Security Clearance required.
• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or another technical field with minimum 9 years of relevant experience.
• Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of related experience.
• In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related experience.
• Experience developing and executing test plans, procedures, and reporting for complex systems.
• Strong knowledge of test planning, data review, and anomaly resolution.
• Experience leading airworthiness and flight clearance efforts (MFR, AWR, IFC).
• Ability to manage complex assignments with general oversight and cross-functional coordination.
• Experience working across engineering, operations, maintenance, safety, and program teams.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% and work extended hours during tests.

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 readiness reviews, briefings, and debriefs to confirm readiness and capture results.
• Coordinate configuration, instrumentation, staffing, logistics, scheduling, and range support for each test event.
• Coordinate with flight operations, ground crews, ATC, range, and external stakeholders for safe execution.
• Support integration, checkout, and verification of avionics, propulsion, controls, payload interfaces, and software/hardware.
• Identify hazards, assess risk, and ensure testing within safety limits.
• Lead preparation and coordination of airworthiness and safety approval packages.
• Review telemetry and mission results, document anomalies, and support root-cause investigations.
• Work with engineering, operations, and leadership to refine requirements and improve methods.
• Support developmental through operational test efforts across hardware and software.
• Travel to test locations and support remote-site operations, including long hours during active windows.

Skills

Test Planning

Risk Assessment

Airworthiness Coordination

Technical Problem-Solving

Cross-Functional Coordination

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Graduate Degree

Tools

Telemetry Systems

Test Management Tools

Flight Clearance Packages (MFR/AWR/IFC)

Job description

Jobtailor seeks an experienced Flight Test Lead to plan and execute ground and flight tests for unmanned systems in the U.S. DoD environment.

You will develop objectives, procedures, readiness materials, and test reports, coordinating with engineering, operations, and leadership to ensure safety and mission success. You will guide airworthiness processes, review telemetry, document anomalies, and lead cross-functional coordination across test teams while traveling up to 25% and supporting