FLIGHT TEST ENGINEER SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS
Published: Apr 17, 2025 – The Flight Test Engineer has expertise in developmental flight tests, including working with experimental aircraft, launch vehicles, and spacecraft, as well as conducting safety reviews and managing configuration control. This role requires experience in risk management, safety systems, and leading small teams to prioritize tasks and drive projects to successful completion. The engineer is also proficient in using MS Office, configuration management tools, and engineering software like IADS to support test operations and ensure smooth execution.
Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Standout Flight Test Engineer Resume
- Post-Maintenance Runs
- Engine Inspections
- Troubleshooting
- Technical Support
- Hardware Coordination
- Helicopter Characteristics
- Flight Test Support
- Flight Trial Planning
- Test Plan Preparation
- Aircraft Configuration
- Government Interface
- Task Leadership
- Flight Safety
- Aircrew Advising
- Flight Safety Management
- Engineering Support
- Stakeholder Coordination
- Team Mentorship
- Customer Collaboration
- Resource Planning
Summary of Flight Test Engineer Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume
1. BS in Applied Science with 3 years of Experience
- Experience working in professional flight test operations
- Be addicted to being on the flight test field
- Have a pilot’s license or professional remote pilot experience
- Have a track record in the aerospace industry
- Took part in the flight testing of a manned aircraft
- Have strong organizational skills
- Be passionate about recording experiences
- Be able to train involved personnel
- Strong motivation to establish processes and organizational structures
- Have a high level of target-oriented self-management with the ability to work in a team as well as autonomously
- Have excellent problem-solving, communication, and technical writing skills
2. BS in Civil Engineering with 2 years of Experience
- Working experience in flight Test execution
- Experience working with the developmental test program
- Test range work experience
- Understanding of Flight Test Instrumentation and Data Processing, as well as Flight Test Controls
- Test project lead or ship lead experience
- Experience working as a pilot
- Proposal development work experience
- Must be willing to mentor junior-level team members
- Working experience in configuration management
- Presentation experience to company and customer audiences
- Experience interfacing with all levels of customer management
3. BS in Mechanical Engineering with 5 years of Experience
- FTE graduate of a recognized test pilot school, or equivalent, or a job learning experience.
- Experimental flight test experience as a Flight Test Engineer, preferably including VTOL or STOVL flight test, and/or in a civil certification environment
- Hold a Fixed Wing and/or Rotorcraft Private Pilot License
- Strong technical and analytical skills
- Experience working with envelope expansion flight testing
- Hold Flight Analyst DER or AR
- Strong Electrical Engineering fundamentals
- Proficiency with day-to-day applications used for email, word processing, etc
- Data analysis experience using MATLAB, Python, or similar
- Excellent interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with colleagues across a wide range of technical disciplines
- Must be able to work both independently and on a team, and be able to work extended hours and travel
4. BS in Electrical Engineering with 6 years of Experience
- Broad knowledge of a technically specialized field such as flight test, aerodynamics, airframe, mechanical, electrical, computerized, and mission systems.
- The ability to solve complex technical problems
- Knowledge of the application of concepts, practices, and methods related to helicopter systems and installations in a systems design environment
- Knowledge of initial development and follow-on production design processes
- Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, and able to interact well in a team environment.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Proficient with Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook.
- Must be able to travel 10% of the time to support short-term (up to one month) off-site assignments at other locations.
- Working knowledge of Access to Export Control Information
- Dynamic problem solver with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to craft solutions to everyday challenges with creative new ideas.
- The ability to work effectively with associates at all levels throughout the organization.
5. BS in Aerospace Engineering with 4 years of Experience
- CATIA V5 working experience
- Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings and process specifications
- Experience with tooling, machining, or fabrication
- Assembly/Build Floor support experience
- Demonstrated ability to drive issues to closure and develop workaround plans or corrective action plans
- Ability to communicate and work effectively with internal and cross-functional teams, Production, IT, Facilities, Planning, and Engineering
- Robust MS Office skill set
- Experience with lean manufacturing and process improvement
- Experience in defining/selecting equipment requirements to support the Engineering build requirements
- Manufacturing experience in metallic, non-metallic, electrical, assembly, and installation
- Must be willing to support shift work, including extended shifts, shift rotation, weekends, and occasionally, holidays
6. BS in Aeronautical Engineering with 8 years of Experience
- Experience with IT infrastructure operations, computer networking, and/or software programming concepts.
- Experience with recognizing deficiencies in processes
- Experience with customer focus, with field service experience
- Experience with troubleshooting missing data and malfunctioning network systems
- Should be able to manage user account setup and Active Directory management on Windows systems
- Experience working in a Flight Test organization
- Hardware and/or software programming experience
- Experience working with IRIG Standard 106, including Chapter 10 (recorded data) and Chapter 9 (TMATS)
- Experience with and/or knowledge of Teletronics Corporation (TTC) hardware and software
- Understanding of Symvionics IADS (Interactive Analysis and Display System) use and programming
- Experience with and/or knowledge of Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC) regulations and operating procedures
- Knowledge of communications protocols, specifically Fibre Channel, MIL-STD-1553, IEE-1394, CAIS Bus (Common Airborne Instrumentation System Bus), RS-485
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
7. BS in Systems Engineering with 9 years of Experience
- Previous experience as a Test Conductor for developmental flight test or related aerospace test operations
- Flight Test Engineer graduate of a recognized test pilot school, long course
- Experience with new, experimental, or modified aircraft, launch vehicles, or spacecraft, technical and safety review boards, and configuration control methods
- Experience with launch vehicle, air-launch, or high-speed flight programs
- Knowledge of risk management or safety management systems
- Experience with government flight test organizations, ranges, and procedures
- Technical aerospace leadership or experience, including supervision and operational decision-making in a technical environment
- Previous experience as a Flight Test Engineer or control room engineer on an active test program or launch vehicle program
- Ability to analyze and prioritize tasks on their own initiative, and drive projects to completion, to fit within overall business goals
- Ability to lead a small team, make decisions, and quickly adapt to changing priorities
- Have excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Experience working with MS Office, configuration management tools, as well as engineering software tools such as IADS