Sr. Flight Test Engineer & Project Engineer

This is an on-site position in Poway, CA, or Palmdale, CA. Telework may be authorized every other Friday. Travel is required to support customers, flight test events, training events, PMRs, and potential overseas travel. Domestic Travel approximately 20 International Travel approximately 5

Job Overview:

The Senior Flight Test Engineer and Project Engineer will support the Medium Altitude UAS Program Office (MQ-9 Reaper) and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) efforts for the MQ-9 and Predator B variants. This role will oversee flight test operations, project execution, and top-level development test programs at Californias AFLCMC/Det 3 MQ-9 sustainment division. The candidate will provide advisory support to ensure on-time test completion while maintaining safety and efficiency as a focal point for FMS Flight Test Operations. Responsibilities include coordinating test plans, managing resources, and advising on developmental and operational test cycles. This position requires teamwork, a deep understanding of test and evaluation, and the ability to travel.

Essential Functions:

Flight Test Engineering Support:

• Assist the Government in all facets of flight testing, including planning, execution, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Provide advisory support and documentation to the government to develop test plans, safety packages, and flight cards.
• Participate in test planning working groups, interfacing with various agencies and contractors to support safety and scheduling approvals.
• Monitor flight tests, identify risks, and recommend mitigation strategies to ensure timely completion.
• Support the coordination of aircraft maintenance, modifications, and test configurations in alignment with approved procedures.
• Assist in assessing data from test execution, identifying issues, and recommending improvements.
• Facilitate test briefings and reports to update program leadership.
• Provide advisory assistance to the Government in supporting UAS safety and accident investigations.
• Review and identify potential issues related to modification packages for air vehicles, ground control stations, and other support equipment.

Project Engineering Support:

• Serve as the focal point for Flight Test Operations project execution, implementing management procedures and controls.
• Support long-term scheduling of flight test activities and advise on project progress reporting to ensure timely completion.
• Participate in test meetings, advising on priorities, resource management, and resolving scheduling conflicts.
• Coordinate with contractors and subcontractors to prioritize test item modifications, maintenance, and flight test requirements.
• Develop documentation for test reports and briefings, providing analysis and recommendations for reducing test cycle times while maintaining high quality and confidence levels.
• Collaborate with the Government in resource management, identifying potential shortfalls, and recommending solutions.
• Perform additional duties as required, including supporting deficiency identification, correction actions, and test evaluations to ensure successful project completion.

Standard Essential Functions:

• Regular and reliable attendance on a full-time basis [or in accordance with posted schedule].
• Responsible for exhibiting professional behavior with both internal and external business associates that reflects positively on the company and is consistent with the companys policies and practices.
• Embodies AEVEX’s cultural values and aligns daily actions with department goals and company culture.

Qualifications and Competencies:

• Ability to understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills to effectively interface with other departments, customers, government representatives, and/or professionals.
• Capability of representing the organization as a prime technical contact
• Ability to provide leadership and guidance to less experienced professionals.
• Must be proficient in the MS Office productivity suite of software Preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge with UAS flight test.

Security Clearance:

• Ability to obtain/maintain a Top-Secret DoD clearance, U.S. Citizenship required.

Education / Certifications:

• Bachelors in Engineering degree required
• Masters in Engineering degree preferred.
• ABET-accredited engineering program preferred.

Experience:

• 12 years of experience in aeronautical engineering (Bachelors Degree).
• 10 years of related experience (Masters Degree).
• 5 years of experience must be in DoD programs.
• Must possess test and evaluation experience in an aerospace program, knowledge, experience, and recognized ability to be considered an aviation test engineering expert.

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties the employee is: Frequently required to sit, and to reach to use computers and other office equipment Occasionally required repetitive movements of wrists, hands, and/or fingers Occasionally required to stand for extended periods of time Occasionally required to reach overhead and frequently reach at/below shoulder level Occasionally required to lift up to 10 pounds Occasionally required to view objects up close and distant range with hand eye coordination Occasionally required to operate motor vehicle For the purpose of this summary, occasionally is used to represent up to 1/3 of the time given to the work day, frequently represents 1/3 to 2/3 of the time and constantly represents 2/3 or more of the time.