Flight Test Engineer Jobs in California
Flight Test Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in aerospace defense, commercial aviation, and advanced air mobility programs at every level from junior test engineer to chief test pilot and senior flight sciences lead. The strongest hiring is in the Los Angeles basin, the Antelope Valley corridor anchored by Edwards Air Force Base, and San Diego, where companies like Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, and Boeing have deep long-term presences. The most in-demand specialties are flight dynamics and controls testing, avionics systems verification, and unmanned aircraft test operations. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Description
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for an Associate Aeronautical / Aeronautical Flight Test Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals within our Test and Evaluation organization.
This position will be on-site at Edwards AFB, CA.
Overview of Responsibilities and Expectations:
- The candidate will develop and publish Integrated Test Plans, detailed test plans, test schedules, and test procedures for developmental testing.
- Provide laboratory support for integration testing.
- Support and host test planning working groups.
- Interface with test article design and analysis teams to define test configuration and data requirements.
- Review and evaluate test requirements to ensure completeness of test program.
- Perform technical analysis of complete systems and prepare comprehensive system level evaluations.
- Support test card development and review in collaboration with other engineering disciplines and test operations personnel.
- Support test readiness reviews, and pre/post-test briefings.
- Ability to maintain control room qualification.
- Conduct and contributes to pre and post-test data analyses to support anomaly identification and resolution. Maintains metrics on status of testing and constraints.
- This position requires outstanding written and oral communications skills. Individuals will be required to serve as a principal subject matter focal point between maintenance, design engineering, and test site team - contractor and customer.
- Individual must be able to work under only general direction to determine and develop approaches to solutions; must be able to work both within a team environment and independently; must be self-motivated, thorough, and detailed; and must be willing to learn additional engineering discipline areas.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and Integrated Analysis & Data System (IADS)
- Overtime, odd shifts, and weekend work will occasionally be required.
This requisition may be filled at a different grade based on qualifications listed below.
Basic Qualifications for Associate Aeronautical Flight Test Engineer:
- Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 0 years of related professional/military experience.
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain an active US Government Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
- Interest in Flight Test
Basic Qualifications for Aeronautical Flight Test Engineer:
- Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 2 years of related professional/military experience , OR a Master's degree AND 0 years of related professional/military experience.
- Must have an active US Government Secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
- Flight Test Experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- In depth knowledge of test experience, to include control room monitoring and data analysis.
- In depth knowledge of subsystems, to include systems architecture and troubleshooting.
- Top Secret clearance
See All 77 Flight Test Engineer Jobs in California
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Find Flight Test Engineer JobsFlight Test Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Flight Test Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Joby Aviation12

- Northrop Grumman10

- Anduril7

- archer4

- Lockheed Martin3

Top Industries Hiring
- Science & Research
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in flight test engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering from an accredited institution
- Active DoD Secret or Top Secret security clearance or eligibility to obtain one
- Hands-on experience with flight test instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and test planning
- Proficiency with test analysis tools such as MATLAB, Python, or dedicated flight test software
- Familiarity with FAA airworthiness regulations and MIL-STD test documentation standards
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for test reports and cross-functional coordination
Flight Test Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a flight test engineer in California?
The standard path into flight test engineering in California starts with an accredited bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering. There is no state-issued license specific to flight test engineering in California, but most employers require candidates to meet federal security clearance standards and demonstrate hands-on test experience. Many engineers enter through internships or co-op programs at California defense contractors, then progress into dedicated test roles after gaining systems or flight sciences experience.
How much do flight test engineers make in California?
Flight test engineers in California earn a median of about $157,620 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $104,370 for the lowest 10% to over $220,670 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire flight test engineers in California?
Employers hiring flight test engineers in California right now include Joby Aviation, Northrop Grumman, and Anduril, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of major aerospace primes, defense contractors, and emerging advanced air mobility companies makes it one of the deepest hiring pools for this specialty in the country.
Which California cities have the most flight test engineer jobs?
Edwards AFB, Marina, and Costa Mesa account for the highest concentration of flight test engineer openings in California. The Antelope Valley and greater Los Angeles area dominate due to the proximity of Edwards Air Force Base and the Skunk Works and major defense prime facilities, while San Diego draws demand from naval aviation programs and systems integrators based in the region.
Are there remote flight test engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. About 18% of flight test engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on, hardware-dependent nature of most test programs. The portions of the role most likely to be performed remotely include test data analysis, report writing, and simulation-based work, while actual flight operations and instrumentation work remain on-site.
How can I get hired as a flight test engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an internship or co-op with a California-based aerospace prime or defense contractor during your final year of an engineering degree. Companies like Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin run structured new-graduate and early-career programs in California that place candidates into flight test support roles. Adjacent starting points include flight test instrumentation technician, systems test engineer, or simulation engineer positions, which provide the hands-on exposure needed to move into a full flight test role.
Where can I find and apply to flight test engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to flight test engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across California employers. Find roles that match your experience and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 77 Flight Test Engineer Jobs in California
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