E-3 Visa Flight Test Engineer Jobs
Flight Test Engineer roles at U.S. defense contractors and aerospace firms qualify as E-3 specialty occupations, making E-3 visa sponsorship straightforward for Australian nationals with a relevant engineering degree. The E-3 has no lottery and can be renewed indefinitely, so your career progression isn't interrupted by annual caps.
Find E-3 Visa Flight Test Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 3 of 10+ Flight Test Engineer jobs
See all Flight Test Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Flight Test Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, Archer is a leader in the next-gen aerospace sector building an end-to-end advanced air mobility platform that delivers air taxis, unmanned aircraft systems ("UAS"), aviation-related physical artificial intelligence ("AI") solutions, and other technologies to customers worldwide across the commercial aerospace and defense sectors.
Our sights are set high and our problems are hard, and we believe that diversity in the workplace is what makes us smarter, drives better insights, and will ultimately lift us all to success. We are dedicated to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment that embraces our differences, and supports and celebrates all of our team members.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop flight test plans that trace directly to FAA certification basis requirements, ensuring test objectives, success criteria, and instrumentation needs are clearly defined and defensible to regulators.
- Partner with subsystem engineering to understand system design intent, failure modes, and areas of technical risk, and translate that understanding into test procedures that adequately probe the system.
- Lead or support Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), coordinating inputs from engineering, safety, and operations to confirm a test point is ready to fly.
- Author and maintain test plan documentation, including test point matrices, procedures, instrumentation and data requirements, and pass/fail criteria.
- Coordinate with certification engineers and, where applicable, FAA representatives to ensure test plans and results support the certification basis and compliance findings.
- Contribute to lessons-learned and process improvement efforts to make future test planning cycles faster and more rigorous.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's/Master's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Engineering, or a related field
- 10+ years of experience in flight test operations
- Strong knowledge of airworthiness certification flight test programs and regulatory requirements
- Experience with safety risk management processes related to flight testing or complex operational testing
- Proficiency in planning/executing ground and flight tests within certification or military projects
- Exceptional collaboration and interpersonal skills
- Highly organized with a strong attention to detail
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- FAA pilot certificate
COMPENSATION
For this position we are targeting a base pay between $96,300 - $132,400 USD. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Archer is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to job applicants with physical or mental disabilities, and those with sincerely held religious beliefs. Applicants who may require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should provide their name and contact information to Archer's People Team at people@archer.com. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Information collected and processed as part of any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Archer's Candidate Privacy Policy.
Certain positions may be eligible for visa sponsorship.
Archer is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Archer Aviation does not engage with external recruiting agencies/individual recruiters with whom it does not have a prior written agreement. Archer reserves the right to make use of any unsolicited resumes that it receives and bears no responsibility for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes. If you are a recruiting agency or individual recruiter wishing to do business with Archer, please reach out to People@archer.com. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.
INTRODUCTION
Headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, Archer is a leader in the next-gen aerospace sector building an end-to-end advanced air mobility platform that delivers air taxis, unmanned aircraft systems ("UAS"), aviation-related physical artificial intelligence ("AI") solutions, and other technologies to customers worldwide across the commercial aerospace and defense sectors.
Our sights are set high and our problems are hard, and we believe that diversity in the workplace is what makes us smarter, drives better insights, and will ultimately lift us all to success. We are dedicated to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment that embraces our differences, and supports and celebrates all of our team members.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop flight test plans that trace directly to FAA certification basis requirements, ensuring test objectives, success criteria, and instrumentation needs are clearly defined and defensible to regulators.
- Partner with subsystem engineering to understand system design intent, failure modes, and areas of technical risk, and translate that understanding into test procedures that adequately probe the system.
- Lead or support Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), coordinating inputs from engineering, safety, and operations to confirm a test point is ready to fly.
- Author and maintain test plan documentation, including test point matrices, procedures, instrumentation and data requirements, and pass/fail criteria.
- Coordinate with certification engineers and, where applicable, FAA representatives to ensure test plans and results support the certification basis and compliance findings.
- Contribute to lessons-learned and process improvement efforts to make future test planning cycles faster and more rigorous.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's/Master's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Engineering, or a related field
- 10+ years of experience in flight test operations
- Strong knowledge of airworthiness certification flight test programs and regulatory requirements
- Experience with safety risk management processes related to flight testing or complex operational testing
- Proficiency in planning/executing ground and flight tests within certification or military projects
- Exceptional collaboration and interpersonal skills
- Highly organized with a strong attention to detail
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- FAA pilot certificate
COMPENSATION
For this position we are targeting a base pay between $96,300 - $132,400 USD. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Archer is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to job applicants with physical or mental disabilities, and those with sincerely held religious beliefs. Applicants who may require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should provide their name and contact information to Archer's People Team at people@archer.com. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Information collected and processed as part of any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Archer's Candidate Privacy Policy.
Certain positions may be eligible for visa sponsorship.
Archer is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Archer Aviation does not engage with external recruiting agencies/individual recruiters with whom it does not have a prior written agreement. Archer reserves the right to make use of any unsolicited resumes that it receives and bears no responsibility for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes. If you are a recruiting agency or individual recruiter wishing to do business with Archer, please reach out to People@archer.com. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.
See all E-3 Visa Flight Test Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new E-3 Visa Flight Test Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding E-3 Visa Sponsorship as a Flight Test Engineer
Translate your Australian credentials for U.S. employers
A three-year Australian engineering degree is generally accepted as equivalent to a U.S. four-year bachelor's for E-3 visa purposes. Request an official transcript and, if your employer asks, a credential evaluation letter confirming the equivalency before your offer stage.
Target defense primes with active E-3 filing history
Flight test roles at major U.S. aerospace and defense contractors involve frequent E-3 filings. Search DOL's OFLC disclosure data to confirm which employers have filed Labor Condition Applications for aerospace engineering titles before you apply.
Clarify security clearance status early in interviews
Many U.S. flight test programs require a DoD security clearance, which Australian nationals can obtain through a government-to-government reciprocal arrangement. Flag your citizenship and any existing Australian Defence security clearance upfront so employers can assess sponsorship feasibility alongside clearance sponsorship.
Use Migrate Mate's E-3 filing service to streamline your LCA
The LCA must be certified by the DOL before your visa interview. Use Migrate Mate's E-3 filing service to handle your LCA and visa paperwork so your employer isn't left navigating the process alone, which is a common reason offers fall through.
Confirm your job title maps to a specialty occupation
Your offer letter's job title and duties must demonstrate that the role normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific engineering field. Ask your hiring manager to align the title with standard aerospace engineering classifications recognizable to a U.S. consular officer.
Request an E-3 start date that accounts for LCA processing
DOL typically certifies LCAs within seven business days, but your consulate appointment adds lead time. Negotiate a start date at least four to six weeks after your offer is signed so your employer can file the LCA and you can schedule your Australian consulate interview without rushing.
E-3 Visa Flight Test Engineer: Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find Flight Test Engineer jobs with E-3 sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for Australian professionals searching for U.S. roles with E-3 visa sponsorship. Unlike general job boards, it surfaces Flight Test Engineer positions at employers already familiar with the E-3 process, so you spend less time educating hiring teams about visa mechanics and more time progressing through interviews.
How much does it cost to get an E-3 visa?
Migrate Mate's E-3 filing service covers the entire process for $499, including the Labor Condition Application, visa document preparation, and consulate appointment guidance. Traditional immigration lawyers charge $2,000–$5,000+ for the same work. The E-3 has less paperwork than most work visas, so paying thousands for legal help is usually unnecessary.
Does a Flight Test Engineer role qualify as an E-3 specialty occupation?
Yes. Flight test engineering requires specialized knowledge in aerodynamics, avionics, or flight dynamics and normally demands a bachelor's degree or higher in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering. This degree-field alignment satisfies the E-3 specialty occupation definition, making it one of the more straightforward engineering roles to sponsor.
How does the E-3 compare to H-1B for Flight Test Engineer positions?
The H-1B visa requires entering an annual lottery with no guaranteed selection, which can leave an offer in limbo for months. The E-3 has a 10,500 annual allocation that has never been fully used, so there is no lottery and no wait. For Australian flight test engineers, the E-3 is a far more predictable path to starting work on an agreed date.
Can I change employers or flight test programs while on an E-3?
Yes, but each employer change requires a new LCA and, in most cases, a new visa stamp at an Australian consulate if your current stamp reflects the prior employer. You can start work with the new employer once the new LCA is certified and your updated visa is issued, so plan for four to eight weeks of lead time around any job transition.