Staff Flight Test Engineer

Apera; Texas; On-site; USD 144,000 - 262,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Equity

Job summary

Apera in Wichita, KS is seeking a Staff Flight Test Engineer to lead ground and flight test campaigns for a next-generation autonomous VTOL jet platform. You will own flight test strategy, aircraft readiness and test execution, collaborating with engineering, autonomy and flight operations teams.

This senior role requires 5–10+ years in developmental flight testing or aerospace systems, an active Secret clearance, and willingness to travel up to 80% to support non-Wichita testing windows and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline.
• 5–10+ years of developmental flight testing or related aerospace experience.
• Active Secret security clearance.
• Willingness to travel up to 80% for non-Wichita assignments.

Responsibilities

• Lead ground and flight test campaigns from planning through execution and analysis.
• Develop test plans, test cards, success criteria, risk assessments and safety docs.
• Coordinate mission control, telemetry monitoring, and pre/post-flight activities.
• Support hover, transition and forward-flight testing; evaluate systems and autonomy.
• Lead readiness reviews and contribute to hazard analyses and risk assessments.
• Analyze flight data, troubleshoot anomalies and drive corrective actions.
• Coordinate with engineering, avionics, instrumentation, maintenance and flight operations.
• Produce technical reports and support range operations and remote deployments.

Skills

Flight test leadership

Test planning

Data analysis

Telemetry & avionics knowledge

Technical leadership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Tools

Telemetry systems

Flight test instrumentation

Job description

Autonomous Aircraft | Developmental Flight Test | Flight Operations

Location: Wichita, Kansas, USA | On-site

The Opportunity

An innovative defense technology company is developing next-generation autonomous aircraft and is seeking a Staff Flight Test Engineer to lead ground and flight test campaigns for an advanced VTOL jet platform.

This is a senior technical role with responsibility for flight test strategy, aircraft readiness, test execution and flight envelope expansion. You'll work closely with engineering, autonomy and flight operations teams to ensure safe, effective testing and accelerate aircraft development.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead ground and flight test campaigns, from planning through execution and post-test analysis.
• Develop test plans, flight test cards, success criteria, risk assessments and safety documentation.
• Coordinate mission control room operations, telemetry monitoring and pre-flight/post-flight activities.
• Support hover, transition and forward-flight testing, evaluating aircraft systems, flight controls and autonomy.
• Lead test readiness reviews and contribute to hazard analyses and operational risk assessments.
• Analyse flight data, troubleshoot anomalies and drive corrective actions.
• Coordinate with engineering, avionics, instrumentation, maintenance and flight operations teams.
• Produce technical reports and support test range operations and remote deployments.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline.
• 5-10+ years of experience in developmental flight testing, UAS, aircraft integration or aerospace systems engineering.
• Strong knowledge of aircraft systems, flight dynamics, avionics, telemetry and control systems.
• Proven experience developing and executing flight test plans and analysing test data.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication and technical leadership skills.
• Active Secret security clearance.
• Willingness to travel up to 80% for candidates outside the Wichita area, with flexibility for overtime and weekend testing.

Desirable:

Group 4-5 UAS or fighter aircraft experience, mission control room operations using IADS or similar systems, autonomy and C2 systems, flight test instrumentation, and FAA or military test range operations.

What's on Offer?

• $144,000-$262,000 annual salary
• Bonus and equity.
• The opportunity to shape flight testing for next-generation autonomous aircraft.