Flight Test Engineer

An Australian research and manufacturing company developing advanced defence and aerospace systems is expanding its flight operations and now hiring a Flight Test Engineer to plan, lead, and report on flight test programs across a range of advanced aircraft platforms.

In this role, you will own the full test lifecycle, from developing test plans and conducting flight testing in a ground control station environment through to authoring the test reports and airworthiness evidence that follow. You'll translate airworthiness requirements into test serials, test points, and data requirements, make real-time go/no-go calls during live operations, and respond to in-flight anomalies with composure. Just as importantly, this is a deeply hands-on, field-based role. During quieter periods between sorties, you're just as willing to pitch in wherever the team needs an extra set of hands, supporting other disciplines rather than waiting on the sidelines for the next test window. You'll know when to lead from the front and when to step back and trust the specialists around you.

This is a full-time role based in South Australia, with regular deployment to remote test ranges. Travel sits at roughly 20 to 30%, typically a week at a time for closer sites and two to three weeks for more remote locations, often in genuine field and camping conditions. For interstate candidates open to relocating, a relocation cost allowance will be provided. Due to the nature of the work, Australian Citizenship is required.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, review, and approve flight test plans, test cards, and safety cases in line with CASA Part 101, relevant defence standards, and internal airworthiness frameworks.
• Act as the test authority during live operations, running pre-flight briefings, executing approved test manoeuvres, maintaining situational awareness, and making go/no-go and abort decisions.
• Operate within a ground control station environment alongside mission command, aircraft operators, and GCS personnel, advising on what the aircraft can and can't safely do as platforms rapidly evolve.
• Monitor real-time telemetry and system health during flight and identify and respond to in-flight anomalies.
• Conduct post-flight data analysis and author test reports, anomaly reports, and airworthiness substantiation evidence.
• Interpret airworthiness and customer requirements and build the technical argument where a requirement can only be partially met or isn't appropriate.
• Contribute well beyond narrow role boundaries in the field, supporting mechanics, software engineers, and the broader crew to keep the campaign moving.
• Mentor junior engineers and operators in test methodology, data interpretation, and mission control discipline.

Requirements

• Degree in Aerospace, Avionics, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a closely related discipline.
• Solid flight test experience, with flexibility on background sector provided the fundamentals of test planning, execution, and reporting are strong.
• Experience working within a ground control station environment (this role differs materially from classical manned flight test).
• Working knowledge of CASA Part 101 and Australian airspace management frameworks.
• The ability to pick up new systems quickly, read people, build trust fast, and operate calmly under pressure.
• Genuinely comfortable in remote bush and field conditions. You enjoy getting your hands dirty and thrive outside your comfort zone, rather than waiting to be called only when the aircraft is ready to fly.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, able to brief engineers, test directors, and senior stakeholders.

Desirable but not essential

• Formal Flight Test Engineer qualification (NTPS, ETPS, EPNER, or equivalent).
• Familiarity with defence acquisition and airworthiness frameworks.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools such as MATLAB, Python, or dedicated flight test instrumentation software.
• ReOC or equivalent operator certification.
• Exposure to ISR or other operational flight test platforms.

Please reach out to ***email_hidden*** for more info.