Staff Engineer, Flight Test (R6064)

Team: Integration & Test

Location: Washington, D.C.

Commitment: Full Time Employee

Workplace Type: onsite

Job Description:

What you'll do:

Develop and execute detailed integration and flight test plans that support the overall program verification and test strategy across simulation, SIL, HIL, ground, and flight test environments 
Coordinate readiness of simulation environments, integration laboratories, aircraft, and flight test assets required to execute program objectives 
Apply aviation knowledge, aircraft performance and operational mission understanding to develop safe, efficient, and operationally relevant integration and flight test plans 
Define test objectives, performance metrics, and success criteria, ensuring traceability from requirements to test outcomes and operational capability 
Lead and support aircraft integration and flight test activities, including system configuration, software integration, mission planning, real-time troubleshooting, flight execution support, and post-flight data analysis 
Coordinate with platform OEMs, government ranges, and flight operations personnel to establish test readiness criteria and ensure technical and safety requirements are satisfied prior to test execution 
Coordinate cross-functional execution across software, hardware, systems engineering, flight operations, safety, and program leadership teams 
Evaluate test results, identify technical issues, and recommend corrective actions to improve system performance and accelerate capability maturation 

Required qualifications:

Typically requires 8+ years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree, or 6+ years with a Master’s 
Demonstrated experience planning, conducting, and evaluating flight test of aircraft systems in military or defense aviation environments 
Strong understanding of safety-of-flight principles, risk management, and disciplined test execution in aviation environments 
Demonstrated understanding of aircraft performance, flight operations, and environmental effects influencing aircraft mission planning, test execution, and safety 
Experience with system-level verification & validation across multiple test environments (SIL, HIL, simulation, and flight) 
Experience working cross-functionally across software, hardware, avionics, systems engineering, safety, and program teams 
Experience with scripting or software tools (Python preferred) for test automation, data analysis, or system validation 
Ability to effectively communicate with pilots, operators, and engineers to develop executable flight test objectives, mission plans, and risk mitigations 
Excellent technical leadership and communication skills, including briefing to program leadership and external customers 
Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance; U.S. citizenship required 

Preferred qualifications:

Military aviation experience as aircrew, flight test engineer, mission systems operator, or engineer supporting military aircraft development or test programs 
Prior role as Flight Test Director, Test Conductor, or Lead Flight Test Engineer on full-scale aircraft programs 
Understanding of military air operations, mission planning, and Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) supporting autonomous aircraft employment 
Experience supporting Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP), loyal wingman concepts, or multi-vehicle autonomous systems 
Familiarity with DoD acquisition and developmental test processes 
Experience operating in or supporting government flight test ranges and operational environments 
Background in autonomy, AI/ML-enabled systems, or human-machine teaming in aviation contexts 
Experience with airworthiness processes, flight clearance, and configuration control for aircraft systems 
Familiarity with tools such as Git, Jira/Azure DevOps, and CI/CD pipelines 
Active SECRET clearance