Job Summary
The Flight Test Engineer, Staff is a senior technical role responsible for the strategic planning, execution, and analysis of flight test programs for complex aerospace vehicles and systems. This position involves high-level coordination, ensuring regulatory compliance, leading large-scale testing efforts, and contributing to the continuous improvement of testing methodologies. As a key technical authority, the Flight Test Engineer Staff provides mentorship and support to junior and mid-level engineers and plays a pivotal role in ensuring the success of critical flight test operations.
Duties and Responsibilities/Essential Functions
- Lead the planning and execution of multi-faceted flight test programs, including defining objectives, testing requirements, success criteria, and timelines.
- Oversee test resource allocation, ensuring that personnel, instrumentation, and facilities are prepared and optimized for successful operations.
- Collaborate with senior management, project teams, and regulatory bodies to ensure test activities align with corporate goals and safety standards.
- Serve as the primary authority during test operations, providing technical guidance, monitoring test data, and making in the-moment adjustments to ensure data accuracy and safety.
- Act as a liaison between pilots, engineers, and other support teams to facilitate effective communication and decision-making during testing.
- Address complex technical challenges in real time, utilizing advanced problem-solving skills to adapt and respond to dynamic testing conditions.
- Oversee post-test data analysis, focusing on critical parameters such as flight stability, control, performance, structural loads, and avionics functionality.
- Generate detailed technical reports that highlight test results, identify variances, and offer actionable insights for design refinement or procedural adjustments.
- Use advanced analytical tools and simulation software to validate test results, conduct predictive analysis, and inform decision-making.
- Develop, implement, and continuously improve safety protocols and risk assessment procedures for all test activities.
- Collaborate with safety officers and regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with industry standards and mitigate potential risks.
- Foster a culture of safety and continuous improvement, conducting thorough reviews of test procedures and outcomes to minimize risks.
- Mentor junior and mid-level flight test engineers, sharing knowledge of best practices, methodologies, and analytical techniques.
- Lead technical review sessions, contributing expertise and guiding the team through complex engineering problems.
- Provide training and development opportunities for team members, helping to advance their technical skills and industry knowledge.
- Work with engineering, design, manufacturing, and regulatory teams to align testing requirements and ensure consistency with project objectives.
- Act as a subject matter expert, providing insights and recommendations to cross-functional teams and senior management.
- Participate in strategic planning discussions to improve test efficiency, data accuracy, and test program success.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
- 10 years of experience in flight testing, aerospace engineering, or an equivalent field, with demonstrated experience in complex test programs.
- Certification from an accredited test pilot school or advanced flight test training is highly preferred
- Deep expertise in flight dynamics, aerodynamics, propulsion systems, avionics, and aircraft systems.
- Proficiency with flight test instrumentation, data acquisition, and advanced analysis tools.
- Strong capabilities in simulation, modeling, and data processing tools
- Comprehensive understanding of industry regulations and standards (e.g., FAA, EASA, MIL-STD) and safety protocols.
- Experience in advanced risk management and mitigation strategies for flight test programs.
- Proven leadership skills, with experience mentoring engineers and leading cross-functional teams.
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present complex technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Our Benefits: Cirrus provides a range of exciting benefits, including:
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, vision, dental, with additional dependent coverage options
- Employer-Paid Coverages: Group term life, short- and long-term disability insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts:FSA and HSA offerings with company contributions to HSA
- Well-being:Calm Health, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness incentives through medical provider
- 401(k) Plan: Dollar-for-dollar match up to 5% after 90 days, with 100% vesting at 1 year of service
- PTO: Various PTO plans starting at 100 hours accrued within the first year
- Additional Time off Benefits: Paid holidays, 2 weeks of Paid Parental leave, paid time for funeral leave and jury duty
- Career Development: Tuition reimbursement program and professional growth opportunities
- Exclusive Discounts: Cirrus Store, partner and marketplace discounts available
- Community & Engagement: Company and employee clubs at various locations
These benefits are designed to support your well-being, growth, and enjoyment at Cirrus!
Competencies
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
- Builds Networks
- Develops Talent
- Decision Quality
- Optimized Work Processes
- Courage
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Work beyond 40 hours per week may be required.
Cirrus is dedicated to a drug free work environment promoting equal employment opportunity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, national origin, color, age, disability, religion, pregnancy, veteran status, marital and family status, sexual orientation, receipt of public assistance, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
