FLIGHT TEST ENGINEER – UAS & DEFENCE

Bristol or West Wales | Hybrid | Permanent, Full-Time- £40,000-£60,000

TAKE FLIGHT TESTING BEYOND THE TEST PROGRAMME

Are you an experienced Flight Test Engineer looking for the opportunity to work with advanced uncrewed aircraft, real operational challenges and technology that moves quickly from test to deployment?

Join a growing Test & Evaluation team working across a range of UAS platforms and mission payloads. You’ll play a key role in turning engineering requirements into safe, effective flight trials — planning campaigns, assessing risk, analysing results and providing the insight teams need to build better products.

This is a role for someone who enjoys being where engineering, flight operations and data meet.

WORK WITH TECHNOLOGY THAT’S STILL EVOLVING

UAS technology is developing rapidly. New platforms, payloads and mission capabilities bring unfamiliar problems — and that’s part of the attraction.

You’ll need to be comfortable working with systems you haven’t seen before, investigating unexpected results and adapting your approach when the test programme changes.

The role suits someone who is naturally data-driven and curious: someone who wants to understand not just whether something worked, but why, what the evidence tells us and what should happen next.

Your work will provide timely, accurate insight to engineering teams and help turn flight-test evidence into better, safer and more capable aircraft.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

We’re looking for an experienced Flight Test Engineer with a strong understanding of formal flight-test processes and safety.

ESSENTIAL

• 4+ years’ active flight-test experience, crewed or uncrewed

• Experience working with MAA RA2370 or relevant civilian frameworks such as Part 21J

• Practical experience of flight-test planning, risk assessment and execution

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to work at pace and adapt to changing schedules and priorities

• Confidence working with new technologies and unfamiliar systems

• Strong data manipulation, analysis and investigative skills

DESIRABLE

• Qualification from a recognised Flight Test School

• Degree or equivalent qualification in engineering or a related technical discipline

• Experience working within a Part 21J, MAA DAOS or CFAOS organisation

• Crewed or uncrewed pilot, engineering licence or similar qualification

WHY THIS ROLE?

• Work across multiple UAS platforms and mission payloads

• Take ownership of flight-test campaigns from requirements through to reporting

• Get out of the office and deploy with operational crews

• Work directly with engineers developing rapidly evolving aerospace technology

• Use real flight data to influence design and product development

• Develop your experience across Defence, Security and Space programmes

• Work alongside multidisciplinary engineering and operational teams

• Gain exposure to UK and international test activity

• Join a growing team where your experience can have a visible impact

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