At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead flight test campaigns and ensure safe execution of ground and flight tests.
- Company: Join AALTO, a pioneering Airbus subsidiary in stratospheric technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private medical insurance, and a personal pension plan.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; we value your unique circumstances.
- Why this job: Be part of an innovative team shaping the future of aerospace in Stratospace.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or Physics and experience in flight testing required.
The predicted salary is between 81000 - 99000 £ per year.
Location: Farnborough
Contract Type: Full Time, Permanent
Hours: 37 hours per week - Hybrid
Travel: International travel for deployments
AALTO, a global leader in Stratospace, is an Airbus subsidiary that manufactures, operates, and delivers services with its solar-powered, stratospheric platform: Zephyr. Zephyr’s persistence enables continuous flight for months at a time, with a current flight-time record of over 67 days in the stratosphere. AALTO operates in a new operational layer between most of air traffic and low-Earth orbit, Stratospace, delivering services to commercial and government partners.
About The Role
We are seeking an experienced Senior Flight Test Engineer to join the AALTO Flight Test Engineering team. In this role, you will report to the Director of Flight Test Engineering and be involved with all phases of development and certification testing. You will manage the successful execution of test activities, including gathering test requirements from stakeholders, developing test documentation, conducting reviews, coordinating ground and flight testing, and reporting findings to drive informed decision-making.
Responsibilities to include:
- Support planning, delivery and reporting of flight test campaigns to meet company development and type certification requirements.
- Safe execution and management of ground and flight test activities both in the UK and AALTO sites worldwide.
- Elicit, analyse, and derive requirements from stakeholder needs.
- Manage individual test activities and flight test risk.
- Manage changes with the delivery of impact analysis.
- Verify that the system and sub system requirements are correctly and completely implemented.
- Evaluate system changes, including new and expanded functionality.
- Ensure the system is tested to AALTO development and certification standards.
Skills and Knowledge Required:
- Aviation industry experience.
- Educated to degree level or higher in Engineering, Physics, or equivalent.
- Demonstrable experience as a Flight Test Engineer or Trials officer within a civilian/military flight test organisation.
- Extensive experience and understanding of modern aircraft systems, flight physics and a desire to learn more.
- Experience in working with Aviation Regulators and or Part 21 organisations.
- Excellent computer skills – proficiency with day-to-day applications used for email, word processing etc, as well as data analysis experience using MATLAB or similar.
- Skills understanding and analysing complex data within flight dynamics and performance or systems.
- Must be able to work both independently and in a team and when required to travel overseas and work extended hours.
- Excellent interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with colleagues across a wide range of technical disciplines and seniority.
Desirable skills and experience:
- Knowledge of uncrewed air systems.
- Working within flight test organisations for aircraft under development.
- DO 160 environmental test requirements.
- Evaluation of systems and equipment to DO 178 and 254 requirements.
- Flight Test Engineer graduate from a recognised Test Pilot School.
- Exposure to complex manned/unmanned Flight Test and aircraft certification programmes.
- Experience working with aviation regulators/airworthiness bodies such as the CAA, EASA, FAA or MAA.
- Manned or large unmanned flying experience or Licence.
In addition to an attractive market-aligned salary, we offer:
- Rewarding Excellence: Benefit from our short-term incentive plan that rewards your hard work and dedication.
- Enjoy Your Time Off: Benefit from 25 days of holiday to relax and recharge.
- Stay Healthy: We’ve got your health covered with private medical insurance, along with dental and optical cash back.
- Secure Your Future: Take advantage of our personal pension plan to ensure a comfortable retirement.
- Peace of Mind: Our income protection and life assurance schemes are there to support you when you need it most.
- Getting around: Drive the latest vehicles with our discounted salary sacrifice scheme.
- We Care About You: Our employee assistance programme is always available to provide the support you need.
- Perks Galore: Enjoy a range of employee discounts via Perkbox, from household goods to travel!
If this role isn’t quite what you’re looking for but are keen to be contacted about opportunities at AALTO, you can register your details here.
Senior Flight Test Engineer in Orpington employer: AALTO HAPS
AALTO is an exceptional employer located in Farnborough, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation thrives. As part of a passionate team dedicated to pioneering the Stratospace domain, employees benefit from competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and comprehensive health coverage, alongside opportunities for professional growth and international travel. With a strong commitment to employee well-being and a culture that values collaboration and excellence, AALTO stands out as a rewarding place to build a meaningful career.
