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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Overview

Open roles77
Top employerJoby Aviation
Top cityEdwards AFB, CA
Cities hiring28
Work type82% On-site
Top industryScience

Showing 5 of 77+ Flight Test Engineer jobs

Associate Aeronautical / Aeronautical Engineer - Flight Test VMS
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Added 2d ago
Associate Aeronautical / Aeronautical Engineer - Flight Test VMS
Northrop Grumman
Edwards AFB, California
Automation QA
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Specialized Engineering
$76k - $138k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor of Science
10,000+

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Weapons and Sensors Integration Flight Test Engineer (FTE)
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Added 3d ago
Weapons and Sensors Integration Flight Test Engineer (FTE)
DCS Corp
Ridgecrest, California
Compliance & Risk
Engineering (Non-Software)
Quality Control
$73k - $115k/yr
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
1,001-5,000

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Internship, Flight Test Engineer (Summer 2027)
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Added 4d ago
Internship, Flight Test Engineer (Summer 2027)
Pivotal
Palo Alto, California
Administrative & Office Support
Corporate Training
Learning & Development
On-Site
1,001-5,000

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Flight Test Engineer
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Added 4d ago
Flight Test Engineer
Castelion
Torrance, California
Logistics & Fleet Management
Procurement & Supply Chain
Supply Chain
On-Site

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Senior Flight Test Engineer, Rotorcraft
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Added 1w ago
Senior Flight Test Engineer, Rotorcraft
Anduril
Costa Mesa, California
Customer Support
IT Support
Technical Program Management
$147k - $196k/yr
Bachelor's degree in engineering
501-1,000

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See All 77 Flight Test Engineer Jobs in California

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Flight Test Engineer Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Edwards AFB
14 jobs
Marina
9 jobs
Costa Mesa
6 jobs
San Luis Obispo
5 jobs
Torrance
4 jobs
Concord
3 jobs
Palo Alto
3 jobs
Point Mugu
3 jobs
Mojave
2 jobs

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

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Flight Test Engineer Jobs