The Senior Flight Test Engineer will play a critical role in the planning, execution, and analysis of flight test campaigns for a next-generation rigid airship. This position requires hands-on experience in flight test operations, system integration, and data analysis. The ideal candidate is an experienced flight test engineer with expertise in experimental aircraft development, particularly first flight operations. The role involves working closely with engineering teams, flight test pilots, safety personnel, and program managers to ensure the successful execution of test flights in accordance with FAA safety standards and regulatory requirements.
Responsibilities
- Acquire in-depth knowledge of the airship’s aerodynamics, flight control systems, propulsion, avionics, structures, and electrical systems.
- Plan, build, and execute flight test campaigns, including test methodologies, instrumentation requirements, data collection processes, and test objectives.
- Develop and refine flight test plans, test procedures, and flight test cards, ensuring they meet engineering and operational requirements.
- Lead pre-flight and post-flight briefings, coordinating with pilots, test teams, and ground support personnel while acting as Test Director.
- Monitor real-time telemetry and analyze flight test data to validate aircraft performance and system functionality.
- Generate system-level flight test requirements and ensure traceability from design through test execution.
- Identify and mitigate flight test safety risks through hazard identification, test hazard analysis (THA), failure mode analysis, and operational risk management (ORM) processes.
- Collaborate with FAA regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with experimental aircraft certification and flight test safety protocols.
- Support test article configuration control and assess system changes for test readiness.
- Conduct post-flight data analysis, troubleshoot anomalies, and refine future test scenarios.
- Document and present findings through technical reports, flight test summaries, and safety briefings.
- Work closely with software and controls engineers to integrate real-time flight data processing and visualization tools.
- Work with cockpit and human factors engineers to develop optimized flight deck layouts, displays, and controls.
- Coordinate with flight controls engineers to evaluate digital flight control systems (fly-by-wire and/or stability augmentation systems).
- Assist in the development of operational manuals, including the Airship Flight Manual (AFM), Quick Reference Handbook (QRH), maintenance guides, etc.
- Provide training and mentorship to junior flight test engineers and test personnel.
Flight Test Development & Execution
System Engineering & Safety Management
Data Analysis & Reporting
Cross-functional Collaboration
Qualifications
- Flight test engineering experience in experimental, developmental, or certification flight test programs.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
- Experience in first flight operations and aircraft envelope expansion testing.
- Strong knowledge of aircraft performance, aerodynamics, and stability & control principles.
- Familiarity with FAA experimental certification requirements and flight test safety standards.
- Proficiency in data acquisition systems, telemetry, and post-flight analysis tools.
- Experience with flight test instrumentation, data logging, and calibration techniques.
- Completion of a formal Test Pilot School program (e.g., NTPS, USNTPS, or equivalent), or demonstrated directly relatable flight test experience (5+ years).
- Successful candidate must be able to pass a background check and complete all requirements for federal airfield flight line access.
- Successful candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a FAA class 3 medical certificate.
- Must be willing to relocate to a commutable distance to Sunnyvale, CA region.
- Travel may be required occasionally depending on business needs. (~15%)
Preferred Qualifications
- Pilot Certificate (Private Pilot or higher).
- Experience with digital flight control systems (fly-by-wire and/or stability augmentation systems).
- Proficiency in human factors engineering, cockpit display design, and avionics integration.
- Background in aircraft electrical systems, hybrid propulsion, and/or novel aerospace power architectures is a plus.
- Experience with FAA Experimental Airworthiness Certificate (AWC) and Type Certification processes, including certification plans, compliance demonstration, and conformity inspections.
- Experience in Reliability Testing, including failure mode analysis, lifecycle testing, and statistical analysis of test data to predict long-term system performance.
What We Offer!
- Relocation assistance
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance through a PPO plan (100% premium paid for individuals, ~70% for dependents)
- Company-paid life, AD&D, long-term disability, and short-term disability insurances
- Parental leave
- Generous PTO + 10 paid holidays
- 401(k) matching up to 6%
- Lunch and snacks provided every day, including accommodations for all dietary restrictions
- Monthly wellness stipend
- Monthly cell phone stipend
- Yearly education stipend to obtain certifications or take classes in your field
- Fun events, swag, and the occasional airship ride
- An opportunity to change the world and work with some of the smartest and the most talented experts from different fields
Compliance Requirements
- Criminal background check clearance
- Drug test clearance wherever applicable
LTA Research & Exploration welcomes all candidates to apply including those with limited experience. We understand that candidates with a growth mindset and passion for working on the next chapter in aviation advancement can outweigh experience alone. We celebrate diverse origins and journeys and understand their importance in developing new technology. Rooted in our humanitarian mission, we want to serve the entire globe and have a team that represents those we wish to serve.
Lighter Than Air is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, veteran status or any other discriminatory factors prohibited by law.
Top Skills
What We Do
Lighter Than Air (LTA) Research is an aerospace research and development company building experimental and certified manned and remotely piloted airships.
We are developing advanced technologies to dramatically increase the capabilities and lower the cost of 21st century airships. With these next-generation airships, we strive to improve humanitarian aid delivery and reduce carbon emissions, while providing economic opportunity and new jobs to Americans.
LTA airships will have the ability to complement — and even speed up — humanitarian disaster response and relief efforts, especially in remote areas that cannot be easily accessed by plane and boat due to limited or destroyed infrastructure. We ultimately aim to create a family of aircraft with zero emissions that, when used for shipping goods and moving people, would substantially reduce the global carbon footprint of aviation.
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