Flight Test Engineer (R5898)

What you'll do:

Develop, publish, and execute comprehensive flight test plans, procedures, cards, risk assessments, safety, and readiness reviews 
Support integration and test of aircraft systems, payloads, comms/data links, software, ground control systems, and mission equipment 
Lead and coordinate pre-flight, flight, and post-flight activities, including system configuration, instrumentation, telemetry, data collection and test reports 
Analyze ground and flight test data to identify performance trends, anomalies, root causes, and corrective actions 
Coordinate with engineering teams to validate requirements, troubleshoot issues, and mature system capabilities 
Lead or participate in test range operations, safety briefings, go/no-go decisions, and test setup and logistics  
Document test results, lessons learned, anomalies, and recommendations in clear technical reports 
Support aircraft maintenance, configuration control, and system readiness 
Create and improve flight test processes, tools, data workflows, and operational efficiency 
Create and maintain ground and air operating limitations requirements  
Travel to test sites, customer locations, and field exercises as required 

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM Degree) 
• 5-10 years of experience with developmental and/or operational ground and flight test, unmanned/manned aircraft systems, aircraft integration, or aerospace systems engineering 
• Strong understanding of aircraft systems, flight dynamics, avionics, telemetry, sensors, or control systems  
• Proven ability to write and execute structured test plans, procedures, and reports 
• Strong troubleshooting skills in field and/or lab environments 
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work across engineering and operations teams 
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 80% for candidates not based in the Wichita Metro Area, including travel to test sites, ranges, and other field locations
• Overtime and weekend coverage as required 
• Active Secret Security Clearance

Preferred qualifications:

10+ years of experience with developmental and/or operational ground and flight test, unmanned aircraft systems, aircraft integration, or aerospace systems engineering 
Experience in Group 4-5 UAS and/or fighter type capability or similar weapons systems 
Familiarity with FAA, DoW, and test range flight operations 
Experience with autonomy, navigation, mission planning, and Command-and-Control (C2) systems 
Hands-on experience with aircraft maintenance, avionics integration, payload integration, and ground support equipment  
Experience with telemetry systems, flight and data logs, sensor data, datalinks, and RF systems 
Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate or crewed aviation experience 
Proven Mission Control Room experience using Integrated Analysis & Data System (IADS) or similar development FTI display system  
Experience leading or supporting developmental flight test campaigns from design through planning and execution to include reporting 

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is practical, detail-oriented engineer who is comfortable in control rooms, hangar/maintenance areas, and office type environments. You can write a detailed test plan, troubleshoot hardware and software at a test site, analyze flight data, and communicate clearly under operational pressure. You are safety-minded, have high technical acumen, and motivated by building and validating advanced and complex aircraft systems