Explore Director of Flight Test jobs and discover a senior leadership role at the pinnacle of aerospace development and certification. A Director of Flight Test is the strategic and operational leader responsible for the entire experimental flight test lifecycle of new aircraft, major modifications, or advanced systems. This executive position sits at the critical intersection of engineering innovation, rigorous safety protocols, and regulatory compliance, transforming design concepts into proven, airworthy vehicles. Professionals in these high-stakes jobs bear the ultimate responsibility for planning, executing, and certifying flight test campaigns that validate an aircraft's performance, safety, and handling characteristics. The core mission involves architecting and overseeing comprehensive test strategies. This includes directing first flights, envelope expansion to define operational limits, and systems validation for avionics, propulsion, flight controls, and, increasingly, autonomous systems. Common responsibilities encompass the development and approval of detailed test plans, safety risk assessments, and hazard analyses. The Director leads flight readiness reviews and ensures all activities adhere to stringent experimental standards set by authorities like the FAA or EASA. They manage the crucial interface with regulatory bodies and certification teams, aligning test data with certification objectives. Leadership is paramount, as the role involves directing a multidisciplinary team of test pilots, flight test engineers, instrumentation specialists, and ground crew. Fostering an uncompromising culture of safety, technical excellence, and meticulous procedure is a fundamental duty. The Director provides executive-level updates on program status, technical findings, and risk management to company leadership and external partners. Typical requirements for Director of Flight Test jobs include an advanced degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering and extensive experience (often 10+ years) in developmental flight test, specifically with experimental or prototype aircraft. Candidates must possess deep expertise in flight sciences, test instrumentation, data analysis, and relevant certification processes (e.g., FAA Part 21, 23/25, 27/29). Essential skills include proven leadership in high-risk operational environments, exceptional technical communication for both engineering and executive audiences, and masterful program management. Those seeking these top-tier jobs are strategic thinkers who can balance aggressive innovation with disciplined, safety-first execution to bring the next generation of aircraft to the sky.
