Senior Flight Test Engineer

Summary: Founded by legendary aircraft designer Burt Rutan, Scaled Composites is a 40-year-old aerospace company continually working to push boundaries, prove out ideas, and influence the future. We are a rapid prototyping and manufacturing facility, designing, building, and testing proof-of-concept and prototype vehicles. We have flown an average of one new aircraft type per year over our 40-year history such as Proteus, GlobalFlyer, SpaceShipOne, Model 401, and Stratolaunch. We are a fast-paced aerospace research company located in Mojave, CA. Our team is known for generating one-of-a-kind, proof-of-concept, and record setting aircraft. We look for self-starters who strive to understand the company at large, take ownership of their tasking, and are idea generators to progress efficiency for the overall sake of the team. Come join us! Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Support handling qualities, performance, and systems flight test programs of both new aircraft designs and modified existing aircraft. Act as test lead on developmental flight test programs, including first flights and envelope expansion of unmanned and manned aircraft. Work with design engineers, project leadership, and pilots to define and design a test concept that is efficient, achievable, and meets the customer’s needs. Prepare flight test cards, define test objectives, and specify instrumentation requirements to optimized test safety and efficiency. Collaborate with multiple teams in support of flight test objectives including airport operations, emergency services, special use airspace, VHF frequencies and telemetry frequencies as required for test events. Collect, post-processes, and present flight test data to make actionable technical conclusions. Write and maintain program test plans and program specific emergency response plans. Estimate time, personnel, materials, and budget required to execute test programs. Define and communicate required test infrastructure, staffing, and resources to program and company leadership. Assist responsible engineers with selecting instrumentation, building control room displays, and performing data analysis. Required Qualifications: Minimum five years of relevant flight test experience or graduate of SETP recognized test pilot school. Bachelor’s degree in engineering or similar technical foundation to support aircraft design, build, and test. Has multi-discipline engineering literacy and be able to interact with design engineering team on a technical level. Ability to lead small teams, make decisions, communicate requirements, and quickly adapt to changing priorities. Ability to implement sound critical thinking skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Programs with the ability to learn new software, as required. Possesses or be able to obtain and maintain at least a Secret DOD clearance. United States citizenship. Flying duties may have additional requirements. Essential Job Functions: Requires mobility and the ability to bend and reach. Clearly communicate verbally and in writing. Occasionally lift and/or move equipment and objects weighing up to 40 pounds on a regular basis. Manual dexterity and coordination are required (e.g., to operate computer keyboard). Vision at close distances and the ability to adjust focus. Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time. Flying duties may have additional requirements.

Salary : $121,000 - $181,000