FLIGHT TEST ENGINEER

AeroTEC provides comprehensive, full-service aerospace services and solutions to customers in aircraft design, testing, instrumentation, certification, manufacturing, modifications and maintenance with facilities in Seattle, Moses Lake, and Wichita.

About the Team

AeroTEC’s Test & Evaluation Division provides comprehensive flight testing and evaluating services to customers in aircraft design and certification. The Test & Evaluation Department is responsible for test planning, instrumentation, ground operation and flight operations to meet customer needs. The Test & Evaluation Department provides expertise in Flight Test Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering and Installation, Test Pilot Support and Telemetry Operations.

 

About the Role

The primary role in this position is as a Flight Test Engineer who is responsible for coordinating test and certification requirements, authoring and executing flight and ground test plans for a wide variety of aircraft platforms including FAA Part 23, 25, 27 and 29 as well as new and novel technology demonstrator programs such as electric and hydrogen propulsion. This role requires the significant exercise of independent discretion and judgment in matters of significance. Additional opportunities also exist to support the design team, flight science team or other teams as company needs and personal career desires dictate.

In This Role You Will

• Coordinate test and certification requirements.
• Author component level qualification test plans and procedures, aircraft level certification plans, flight and ground test plans as well as associated test hazard analysis (FAA Order 4040.26); coordinating with the customer and regulation authorities as required.
• Author FTEO (Flight Test Engineering Order) packages for test specific installations.
• Generate and review appropriate test limitations documentation.
• Planning any and all aspects of a test campaign (test schedule, sequence, test setup requests, experimental ticket process, logistics, resources, third party support, airport and airspace coordination, test readiness, safety of flight, etc).
• Support ground operations, including weight and balance activities, fuel management, pre-flight and post-flight and ground test conduct and data collection.
• Serve as an onboard test crew member in the role of Test Director, Instrumentation Operator or Flight Test Engineer as necessary (condition specific or safety of flight data monitoring and real-time evaluation and calls).
• Analyze test data using time history plots, various analysis tools or custom solutions, evaluate compliance with regulations or internal requirements and prepare certification reports and substantiation documentation.
• Domestic and occasional international travel is required.

Cross-Training Growth Opportunities:

AeroTEC thrives on having a diverse workforce capable of learning and performing in a wide variety of technical areas. In this position, there will be opportunities to learn and support other tasks including:

• Design: Support design team utilizing CAD and CFD tools when required.
• Flight Science: Supply expertise in the area of aircraft performance, stability & control and aircraft handling characteristics to support the development and certification flight testing for both new and supplemental type certificates.
• Flight Test Instrumentation Engineering: Support Flight Test Instrumentation Engineering team with instrumentation requirements, design, installation and operation including calibration, data acquisition and troubleshooting.

The Skills You Will Bring (Minimum):

Education

• Four (4) year degree in Engineering with a focus in Electrical Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or related Science or equivalent experience.

Experience

• Minimum Five (5) years of relevant Flight Test Engineering experience related to experimental flight test operations. Experience in all the above activities is not critical.
• Experience with FAA Part 23, 25, 27 or 29 certification and related flight and ground test planning, test conduct, and test data analysis. Operational experience should also include knowledge of test maneuver techniques.
• and build-up methodologies.
• Experience testing new and novel aviation technology such as green aviation technologies is desired.
• Private Pilot’s License is desired.
• Previous Water & Land Survival training is desired.
• Previous Physiological training (altitude chamber) is desired.
• Desired for Cross-Training Opportunities:

• Aerospace engineering experience in Flight Sciences, including experience in aerodynamic testing and/or design; flight testing of aircraft performance and handling characteristics, including experience with take-off; landing; climb and route performance; static-source error corrections and stall speed testing; longitudinal & lateral/directional stability and control; minimum control speeds; stall characteristics; high speed characteristics, crosswind takeoff/landing and flight into known icing.
• Experience with CFD is desired but not required.
• Flight Test Instrumentation design, installation and operations experience desired.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and/or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Must have the ability to sit for long periods of time.
• The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Has or is able to obtain an FAA 3rd Class Medical Certificate.
• Travel up to 70% (flying and driving) to various international and domestic worksites may be required when supporting test programs.
• Driving personal vehicle for errands required. State driver’s license and clean driving record required.

AeroTEC Ways of Working and Benefits:

At AeroTEC, we are on a mission to Accelerate the Evolution of Aerospace. We lead the market in the integration and testing of sustainable propulsion technologies, pioneering the future of sustainable aerospace. 

AeroTEC is building a culture where personal and professional growth are just as important as business growth. We invest in our people, supporting their career development by offering customized career development plans, in-house learning, mentorship, and up to $5,250.00/year in education reimbursement.

We are committed to our employees’ well-being, providing Unlimited Time-Off (for salaried employees), employer paid premiums for our employees’ Health coverage (PPO/HDHP plans), Dental, $40,000 Life Insurance Policy, and complementary access to our Employee Assistance and Health Advocate Program’s.

Additional Benefits include (but not limited to): 401(k) and Employer Match for the Employee, Vision, Additional Life Insurance Options, Critical Illness, Accident, Hospital Indemnity, Pet Insurance, ID Watchdog, Legal Shield, and Perk Spot Discounts.

Hard work doesn’t go unnoticed, at AeroTEC we reward outstanding performance with a quarterly bonus scheme.  Positions may or may not qualify for sign-on bonus or relocation assistance. 

But we are more than just a team; we’re a family that works hard and plays hard! From AeroTEC AeroTEC’s own Flying Club, Softball League, Seattle Mariners Tickets, to Team Bike Rides, Karting, Golf Scrambles and more. We’re committed to creating a workplace where fun and work are not mutually exclusive!

AeroTEC is an equal opportunity employer.