Senior Flight Test Engineer – Unmanned Systems

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

Job summary

Jobtailor in Richardson, TX is seeking a seasoned Test Engineer to plan and execute ground and flight test events for unmanned aircraft and missile systems. You will develop test objectives, procedures, and reports, and lead readiness reviews to ensure safe, compliant testing.

Role requires DoD Secret clearance, engineering degree(s), and 6+ years of experience (or graduate degree with 4+ years, or 10+ years without a degree). Travel up to 25% will be needed.

Qualifications

• Active U.S. DoD Secret security clearance and U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or related field with at least 6 years of relevant experience.
• Graduate Degree with at least 4 years of related experience.
• In lieu of a degree, a minimum of 10 years of related experience.
• Experience developing and executing test plans, procedures, and reporting packages for technically complex systems.
• Strong knowledge of test planning, data review, and anomaly resolution.
• Experience leading airworthiness and flight clearance efforts for developmental test, including preparation of approval packages (MFR, AWR, IFC).
• Ability to manage complex assignments with general oversight and coordinate cross‑functional test activities.
• Experience working across engineering, operations, maintenance, safety, and program teams with strong communications.
• Familiarity with unmanned aircraft or missile system test rules, ranges, and approvals.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% for test locations and extended hours during test windows.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute ground and flight test events for unmanned aircraft and missile systems.
• Develop test objectives, procedures, test cards, evaluation criteria, readiness materials, and test reports.
• Lead or participate in test readiness reviews, pre‑test briefings, and post‑test debriefs to confirm readiness, communicate risk, capture results, and define follow‑on actions.
• 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 to maintain safe execution and strong communication.
• Support integration, checkout, and verification of avionics, propulsion, flight controls, payload interfaces, and related hardware/software.
• Identify hazards, assess risk, and ensure testing occurs within approved procedures and safety limits.
• Lead preparation and coordination of airworthiness and safety approval packages for ground and flight tests.
• 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 operational test efforts across hardware and software.
• Travel to test locations and support remote‑site operations, including extended hours during active test windows.

Skills

Security clearance (DoD Secret)

U.S. citizen

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or related technical field

Graduate Degree

10+ years of related experience in lieu of degree

Job description

Jobtailor in Richardson, TX is seeking a seasoned Test Engineer to plan and execute ground and flight test events for unmanned aircraft and missile systems. You will develop test objectives, procedures, and reports, and lead readiness reviews to ensure safe, compliant testing.

Role requires DoD Secret clearance, engineering degree(s), and 6+ years of experience (or graduate degree with 4+ years, or 10+ years without a degree). Travel up to 25% will be needed.