On behalf of our global client, we are currently recruiting a Lead Flight Test Engineer to join their team in Bournemouth. This is a rare opportunity to play a critical role at the cutting edge of Electronic Warfare (EW) and Operational Readiness Training, supporting the UK Ministry of Defence and NATO allies worldwide.
Job Title: Lead Flight Test Engineer
Location: Bournemouth, United Kingdom
Work Type: Permanent
Salary: Competitive plus a great benefits package
Benefits:
- Direct impact on front line military readiness
- Exposure to complex flight test programmes
- Opportunities to work across a wide range of aircraft platforms
- A culture built on Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Team
- Working alongside some of the most experienced EW and aviation specialists in the industry
- A genuinely global aviation career
Lead Flight Test Engineer role is a flying role. When not conducting flight test duties and depending on previous qualifications, opportunities to conduct Operational Readiness Training as a rear crew may be available in a variety of aircraft and roles. The role requires international travel, with deployments across Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the safe and effective delivery of flight test activities in the UK and at deployed locations worldwide
- Plan and conduct airborne and ground flight testing as a Lead Flight Test Engineer
- Develop and own test strategies, test plans, and test procedures
- Maintain close collaboration with the Design Office, including participation in design and technical safety reviews
- Develop and manage certification plans in support of flight test requirements
- Produce clear, high quality flight test reports
- Actively manage flight test risk to ALARP and tolerable levels
- Ensure full regulatory compliance, cultivating trusted relationships with the UK CAA and other regulatory authorities
Essential Experience & qualifications
- Proven experience as a Lead Flight Test Engineer across multiple air vehicle types
- Qualification as a Flight Test Engineer from a recognised and approved Flight Test Training Organisation
- Hold, or be eligible to obtain, UK Security Clearance (SC)
- Hold, or be able to meet, a minimum CAA Class 2 medical standard
Desirable Experience & Qualifications
- Cat 1 Flight Test Engineer qualification
- Military or civil aviation experience as flight crew or engineer
- Degree (BSc / BEng or higher) in an engineering or science related discipline
- Knowledge of UK, US and European civil and military regulatory frameworks
- Experience with COTS or bespoke flight test instrumentation and data acquisition systems
- Background in military EW / RF jamming, or specialist EW roles supporting the RAF or RN
- Previous UAS / RPAS experience
The Commitment
- Our client is committed to the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and professionalism. They value diversity of thought, experience, and background, because better teams deliver better outcomes.
- They are proud to be an Armed Forces friendly organisation and actively welcome applications from veterans, service spouses, and partners.
- They e are a Disability Confident employer and will provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.
- They are unequivocal in their stance: intolerance has no place.
- Every team member deserves respect, fairness, and the opportunity to succeed.
