Senior Flight Test Engineer

The Senior Flight Test Engineer will play a critical role in the planning, execution, and analysis of flight test campaigns for a next-generation rigid airship. This position requires hands-on experience in flight test operations, system integration, and data analysis. The ideal candidate is an experienced flight test engineer with expertise in experimental aircraft development, particularly first flight operations. The role involves working closely with engineering teams, flight test pilots, safety personnel, and program managers to ensure the successful execution of test flights in accordance with FAA safety standards and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Flight Test Development & Execution
• Acquire in-depth knowledge of the airship's aerodynamics, flight control systems, propulsion, avionics, structures, and electrical systems.
• Plan, build, and execute flight test campaigns, including test methodologies, instrumentation requirements, data collection processes, and test objectives.
• Develop and refine flight test plans, test procedures, and flight test cards, ensuring they meet engineering and operational requirements.
• Lead pre-flight and post-flight briefings, coordinating with pilots, test teams, and ground support personnel while acting as Test Director.
• Monitor real-time telemetry and analyze flight test data to validate aircraft performance and system functionality.
• System Engineering & Safety Management
• Generate system-level flight test requirements and ensure traceability from design through test execution.
• Identify and mitigate flight test safety risks through hazard identification, test hazard analysis (THA), failure mode analysis, and operational risk management (ORM) processes.
• Collaborate with FAA regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with experimental aircraft certification and flight test safety protocols.
• Support test article configuration control and assess system changes for test readiness.
• Data Analysis & Reporting
• Conduct post-flight data analysis, troubleshoot anomalies, and refine future test scenarios.
• Document and present findings through technical reports, flight test summaries, and safety briefings.
• Work closely with software and controls engineers to integrate real-time flight data processing and visualization tools.
• Cross-functional Collaboration
• Work with cockpit and human factors engineers to develop optimized flight deck layouts, displays, and controls.
• Coordinate with flight controls engineers to evaluate digital flight control systems (fly-by-wire and / or stability augmentation systems).
• Assist in the development of operational manuals, including the Airship Flight Manual (AFM), Quick Reference Handbook (QRH), maintenance guides, etc.
• Provide training and mentorship to junior flight test engineers and test personnel.

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

What We Offer!

Compliance Requirements

$130,000 - $170,000 a year

The base salary range for this role is $130,000 - 170,000, which is determined based on experience, geography, and qualifications. The base salary is one component of the total compensation package, which includes a very competitive annual bonus, 401K Match, and other generous benefits. While we believe competitive compensation is a critical aspect of your decision to join us, we do hope you also spend time considering why our mission and culture are right for you.

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LTA Research & Exploration welcomes all candidates to apply including those with limited experience. We understand that candidates with a growth mindset and passion for working on the next chapter in aviation advancement can outweigh experience alone. We celebrate diverse origins and journeys and understand their importance in developing new technology. Rooted in our humanitarian mission, we want to serve the entire globe and have a team that represents those we wish to serve.

Lighter Than Air is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, veteran status or any other discriminatory factors prohibited by law.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.