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Senior Flight Test Engineer at Redwire Defense Tech - QATestingJobs.com
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Senior Flight Test Engineer
Redwire Defense Tech • San Luis Obispo, California, United States
remotefull-time
Salary: $95,000 - $135,000 / year
Posted Feb 11, 2026
Role & seniority: Flight Test Engineer (mid-level to senior); leads small cross-functional teams and owns test activities; requires ability to obtain/maintain government clearance.
Location & work type: San Luis Obispo, CA; exempt; up to 50% travel to other company locations and client sites; potential ITAR/EAR compliance.
Stack/tools: aerospace/UAV test planning and execution; test plans and reports (government formats); field equipment deployment (remote sites); Microsoft Office (Word, Excel); collaboration with design, stakeholder, and government customers.
Top 3 responsibilities
Develop test plans aligned with design and test requirements; lead tests and coordinate personnel to achieve goals.
Conduct and validate tests at component, subsystem, and system/aircraft levels; provide formal and informal design feedback.
Collaborate with stakeholders and government customers on planning, execution, issue resolution, and status reporting.
Must-have skills
BS in flight/UAV-related engineering (Aerospace, Mechanical, or similar); 4+ years formal test experience; 2+ years aircraft/UAV test experience.
Experience generating formal test plans/reports; test setup, field deployment, troubleshooting (electrical/mechanical); teamwork; strong MS Office skills.
Nice-to-haves
Government-formatted test plans/reports; UAV operation experience; Army testing/AMC 385-17 MIL-STD-882E familiarity; environmental, EMC/E3, transportation, and system-level flight
Full Description
WORK LOCATION: San Luis Obispo, CA
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
SALARY RANGE: The anticipated salary range for this role is $95,000 to $135,000 annually. This range reflects a good faith estimate based on the targeted level for the role and typical compensation benchmarks across U.S. locations. Actual compensation may vary depending on the selected candidate’s qualifications, experience, geographical location, and internal alignment.
SUMMARY
The Flight Test Engineer works with engineers and other functions to ensure component, subsystem, and system/aircraft test is well planned and well executed. The Flight Test Engineer is energetic in participating in projects to draw out test requirements early, ensuring test complexity is understood up front, and that testing objectives can be met by the allotted equipment and time. The Flight Test Engineer also works closely with personnel providing support to customers and operators, providing their expertise to diagnose and resolve issues in the field. The Flight Test Engineer leads small teams of mixed functions through test activities and takes ownership of those activities.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The following job functions are a basic requirement but are not limited to and may be assigned other duties.
Working with design and test requirements to generate test plans
Evaluates testing standards required for various efforts, and incorporates into plans
Leads the conduct of test and coordinates other personnel to accomplish test goals.
Provides detailed and helpful feedback, both formal and informal, to design activities
Collaborate with Stakeholders and Government customers to ensure test planning and execution of test, validation, and verification activities.
Assists all functions in resolution of issues
Communicates plans and status vs. plans to leadership
Must be able to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.
This role will require up to 50% travel to other company locations and client sites
REQURIED QUALIFICATIONS
The following are a non-exhaustive list of qualifications for the position
B. S. in a flight/UAV related engineering field (Aerospace, Mechanical, or similar)
At least 4 years experience in conducting formal test at the component, subsystem, and system level
At least 2 years experience in conducting test of aircraft/UAVs
Experience generating formal test plans and reports
Test Planning
Test setup and field equipment deployment, including remote locations
Electrical and mechanical troubleshooting
Working cooperatively with a team
Microsoft Office (especially Word, Excel)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience generating formal test plans and reports in government format(s)
Experience generating test plans based on formal requirements documents
UAV operation
Experience with U.S. Army testing activities, specifically with ATEC.
Experience with U.S. Army software safety testing, specifically with AMC 385-17 and MIL-STD-882E.
Experienced with Environmental Testing, Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3) Testing, Transportation Testing, and System Level Flight Testing.
Radio Control or other flight skills
REDWIRE DEFENSE TECH BENEFITS
Matching 401(k)
Paid PTO
Paid holidays
Medical, vision, and dental insurance
Group Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
HSA and FSA Options
Critical Care Plan
Accident Care Plan
CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS
This position may require access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). To comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify a US person’s status under the ITAR and the EAR.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The work environment may involve a standard office setting while also incorporating elements of a production area. Employees will use standard office equipment, including computers, and must demonstrate stamina to sit or stand while maintaining attention to detail despite potential interruptions. The role may require occasional activities such as walking, climbing, stooping, crouching, and bending. Vision is necessary for reading printed materials and a computer screen, while hearing and speech are essential for effective communication both in person and over the telephone. Additionally, the position may necessitate travel by air or automobile. Employees may be required to use personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, safety shoes, and shop coats, to ensure safety in the production environment. Employees may be able to lift up to 30 pounds as needed.
REDWIRE DEFENSE TECH IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Redwire Defense Tech is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Human Resources. Continued employment remains on an “At-Will” basis.