Flight Test Engineer Jobs
Flight Test Engineer jobs are open across aerospace, defense, and aviation manufacturing, from entry-level to senior and chief engineer, with specializations in flight dynamics, avionics integration, and systems safety test. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 20+ Flight Test Engineer jobs
Company Overview
Imagine a piloted air taxi that takes off vertically, then quietly carries you and your fellow passengers over the congested city streets below, enabling you to spend more time with the people and places that matter most. At Joby, we've been working to make that dream a reality since 2009 and we're now in the final stages of certifying our aircraft with the FAA. With plans to launch our aircraft in the US and Dubai, we're now scaling manufacturing and preparing for the launch of our commercial service.
Overview
Joby Aviation is seeking a passionate and driven Flight Test Engineer to join our flight test team. This role requires a wide range of knowledge and skill that includes developing detailed flight test plans for experimental CTOL/VTOL fly-by-wire aircraft, executing testing as a crewmember, and test data analysis. The role involves planning and execution of both development and certification flight testing. Flight testing at Joby Aviation is very fast-paced, and we are looking for an individual who can work with system designers to develop test procedures, deal with frequently changing test scenarios, and lead/follow effectively. This role can be based at our Flight Test Headquarters at Marina, CA, or at our secondary flight test facility in Hollister, CA.
Responsibilities
- Develop test programs to strategically expand the envelope and capabilities of our vehicles from experimental development through certification flight test
- Perform flight test planning, flight readiness reviews, flight briefs/debriefs, act as a crewmember during test execution and perform post flight data analysis
- Conduct engineering analysis of flight test data to support aircraft design and certification deliverables
- Coordinate with other engineering groups to ensure input from subject matter experts informs test planning and test execution
- Work as a member of the flight crew including monitoring data in real time to assure the safety and proper conduct of flight tests
- Report on completed tests including reporting any observed deficiencies and findings of compliance with requirements or regulations
- Advise the flight test pilot of nature of the data to inform real time decisions affecting safety, efficiency and effectiveness
- Develop expert level knowledge of the systems and aircraft under test
- Complete administrative work associated with testing including configuration management, squawk reporting, flight limitation management and test card creation
- Assist with troubleshooting and root cause investigation of issues observed during flight testing
- Develop flight manuals and supporting documentation necessary to operate the vehicles in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices
- Other duties as assigned or required
Required
- Bachelor of Science (Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering or other technical field) degree or equivalent experience and training
- Previous experimental flight test experience as a Flight Test Engineer
- Excellent interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with colleagues across a wide range of technical disciplines
- Strong technical and analytical skills
- Must be able to work both independently and on a team and be able to work extended hours and travel as required
- Read and speak English proficiently
- At least 30% travel required
Desired
- FTE graduate of a recognized test pilot school or equivalent on the job experience
- Data analysis experience using Matlab, Python or similar
- Civil aircraft certification experience including use of ARP 4754 processes for requirements and FAA AC 23-8C or AC 27-1B for flight test
- Experimental flight test experience as a Flight Test Engineer, preferably including VTOL or STOVL and fly-by-wire
- Flight Analyst DER or ODA Unit Member
- Familiarity with FAA Order 4040.26C
Additional Information
Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $107,400 - $174,049/yr. The compensation package offered will be determined by location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Joby also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan with a company match, an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.
Joby is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Company Overview
Imagine a piloted air taxi that takes off vertically, then quietly carries you and your fellow passengers over the congested city streets below, enabling you to spend more time with the people and places that matter most. At Joby, we've been working to make that dream a reality since 2009 and we're now in the final stages of certifying our aircraft with the FAA. With plans to launch our aircraft in the US and Dubai, we're now scaling manufacturing and preparing for the launch of our commercial service.
Overview
Joby Aviation is seeking a passionate and driven Flight Test Engineer to join our flight test team. This role requires a wide range of knowledge and skill that includes developing detailed flight test plans for experimental CTOL/VTOL fly-by-wire aircraft, executing testing as a crewmember, and test data analysis. The role involves planning and execution of both development and certification flight testing. Flight testing at Joby Aviation is very fast-paced, and we are looking for an individual who can work with system designers to develop test procedures, deal with frequently changing test scenarios, and lead/follow effectively. This role can be based at our Flight Test Headquarters at Marina, CA, or at our secondary flight test facility in Hollister, CA.
Responsibilities
- Develop test programs to strategically expand the envelope and capabilities of our vehicles from experimental development through certification flight test
- Perform flight test planning, flight readiness reviews, flight briefs/debriefs, act as a crewmember during test execution and perform post flight data analysis
- Conduct engineering analysis of flight test data to support aircraft design and certification deliverables
- Coordinate with other engineering groups to ensure input from subject matter experts informs test planning and test execution
- Work as a member of the flight crew including monitoring data in real time to assure the safety and proper conduct of flight tests
- Report on completed tests including reporting any observed deficiencies and findings of compliance with requirements or regulations
- Advise the flight test pilot of nature of the data to inform real time decisions affecting safety, efficiency and effectiveness
- Develop expert level knowledge of the systems and aircraft under test
- Complete administrative work associated with testing including configuration management, squawk reporting, flight limitation management and test card creation
- Assist with troubleshooting and root cause investigation of issues observed during flight testing
- Develop flight manuals and supporting documentation necessary to operate the vehicles in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices
- Other duties as assigned or required
Required
- Bachelor of Science (Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering or other technical field) degree or equivalent experience and training
- Previous experimental flight test experience as a Flight Test Engineer
- Excellent interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with colleagues across a wide range of technical disciplines
- Strong technical and analytical skills
- Must be able to work both independently and on a team and be able to work extended hours and travel as required
- Read and speak English proficiently
- At least 30% travel required
Desired
- FTE graduate of a recognized test pilot school or equivalent on the job experience
- Data analysis experience using Matlab, Python or similar
- Civil aircraft certification experience including use of ARP 4754 processes for requirements and FAA AC 23-8C or AC 27-1B for flight test
- Experimental flight test experience as a Flight Test Engineer, preferably including VTOL or STOVL and fly-by-wire
- Flight Analyst DER or ODA Unit Member
- Familiarity with FAA Order 4040.26C
Additional Information
Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $107,400 - $174,049/yr. The compensation package offered will be determined by location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Joby also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan with a company match, an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.
Joby is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
See All Flight Test Engineer Jobs
Jump back to the full list of openings and apply to any flight test engineer role that fits.
Find Flight Test Engineer JobsFlight Test Engineer Job Market
A snapshot from current openings nationwide, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Joby Aviation11
- DoorDash3
- Cirrus Aircraft2
- Shield AI2
- Garmin1
Top Industries Hiring
- Aerospace & Defense15
- Automotive6
- Transportation & Logistics4
- Technology & Software3
- Consumer Goods2
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in flight test engineer jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering
- Experience writing and executing flight test plans, test cards, or test procedures
- Proficiency with data acquisition and real-time telemetry systems
- Active DoD security clearance or eligibility for a secret or top secret clearance
- Familiarity with MIL-STD, FAA certification, or DO-178 compliance requirements
- Experience operating or evaluating avionics, navigation, or fly-by-wire systems
Tips for Your Flight Test Engineer Job Search
Tailor your resume to test phases
Recruiters scan for specific test phases you've worked, such as envelope expansion, qualification, or acceptance testing. Name each phase explicitly and tie it to a platform or aircraft type rather than listing generic 'flight test experience.'
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists flight test engineer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Highlight your data acquisition tool proficiency
Job postings routinely filter by tools like IADS, Curtiss-Wright, or MathWorks products. Calling these out by name in your resume and cover letter moves you past automated screening faster than describing the task those tools support.
Match your clearance level to the posting
Many defense flight test roles require an active clearance at the time of hire, not a clearable background. Read each posting closely and prioritize applications where your current clearance level matches exactly, since clearance upgrades can delay your start date.
Prepare a test card or flight card sample
Interviewers for flight test roles often ask you to walk through how you'd structure a test card. Having a sanitized, unclassified example from a previous program ready to discuss demonstrates procedural rigor in a way that abstract answers don't.
Ask specific questions about test infrastructure
At the offer stage, ask whether the team uses a dedicated telemetry ground station or relies on chase aircraft, and what the typical ratio of sim hours to live flight hours looks like. These questions signal experience and help you evaluate whether the role matches your background.
Flight Test Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most flight test engineers?
The companies hiring the most flight test engineers right now include Joby Aviation, DoorDash, and Cirrus Aircraft, with the largest share of openings in California, Kansas, and Minnesota, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. Demand tends to concentrate around major flight test centers and defense contractor facilities.
How many flight test engineer jobs are remote?
About 0% of flight test engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of June 2026, which is low compared to most engineering disciplines. Data analysis, test planning, and post-flight report writing are the sub-areas most likely to allow remote days, while live flight operations and range work almost always require on-site presence.
How do you become a flight test engineer?
Start with a degree in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering, then build hands-on experience with instrumentation, data acquisition, or systems integration. Completing a formal flight test course through a program like the National Test Pilot School or an equivalent contractor-run course significantly strengthens your candidacy. From there, entry-level roles at defense contractors or test ranges provide the live flight exposure employers require.
Can you get a flight test engineer job with little or no experience?
Some contractors hire junior flight test engineers directly from engineering programs if you can show exposure to instrumentation, simulation environments, or laboratory test work. A strong senior capstone project involving data acquisition or vehicle dynamics, combined with an internship at an aerospace company, is often enough to qualify for associate or developmental test engineer roles that include structured on-the-job training.
What does the flight test engineer interview process look like?
Most hiring processes start with a recruiter screen followed by a technical phone interview covering test methodology, instrumentation, and data analysis. A panel interview typically comes next, where you'll walk through a past test program, discuss how you handled anomalies, and sometimes work through a scenario involving a test card or envelope expansion decision. Clearance verification and a background check follow an offer.
Where can I find and apply to flight test engineer jobs?
You can find and apply to flight test engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to each listing from the page.
See All Flight Test Engineer Jobs
Jump back to the full list of openings and apply to any flight test engineer role that fits.
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