Flight Sciences EngineerFMS Aerospace is seeking an experienced full-time Flight Sciences Engineer for our Huntsville office. This role supports ground and flight testing for aircraft modification programs involving OML (Outer Mold Line), avionics, systems, and interior changes on Part 23 and Part 25 certified aircraft. The Flight Sciences Engineer is responsible for processing, validating, analyzing, and interpreting flight test data to support aircraft development, certification, performance evaluation, and systems verification programs. The ideal candidate has strong experience in flight test data reduction, parameter identification, and transforming complex engineering datasets into mathematical models to produce definitive aircraft performance information and Airplane Flight Manual Supplements (AFMS). This role works closely with flight test engineers, test pilots, instrumentation specialists, and design engineering teams to ensure data integrity and regulatory compliance.
Key Responsibilities:
Generate, review, and approve mathematical models for determining airplane performance and operational information.
Extract aerodynamic coefficients, thrust-drag models, and stability derivatives from flight test data.
Use statistical regressions to match empirical flight test data with theoretical engineering models.
Format and process data from onboard flight data recorders and data acquisition systems.
Produce estimated performance data used to operate test aircraft for initial flight testing.
Carry out, review, and/or approve flight characteristics and performance flight test data analyses.
Produce performance and operational information for presentation in Airplane Flight Manuals (AFM) and Airplane Flight Manual Supplements (AFMS).Manage the preparation of AFMs and AFMSs containing new performance charts, limitations, and operational procedures.
Prepare, review, and approve flight test reports and substantiation documents for submission to regulatory authorities (FAA/military).Collaborate with flight test engineers, test pilots, instrumentation specialists, and design teams to ensure data integrity.
Required Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, or a highly related STEM field.
Experience:
3–5 years of direct experience in flight test data reduction, aircraft performance engineering, or aerodynamic modeling. Regulatory Knowledge: Solid understanding of aircraft certification processes and FAA (Part 23/25), military, or customer regulatory requirements.
Technical Skills:
Deep familiarity with aircraft performance, flight characteristics, systems testing, flight test instrumentation, and engineering data analysis.
Security Clearance:
Must be a U.S. citizen capable of obtaining and maintaining a Department of Defense Secret security clearance.
Medical: Ability to obtain and maintain an FAA Class III medical certificate (if required for flight test participation).Travel & Schedule: Willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 20% to customer sites, hangars, and test locations; willingness to work overtime during active flight test windows.
Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage time across multiple programs, prioritize assignments, and track deliverables.
Software: Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Preferred Qualifications:
Master's degree is highly preferred. Proficiency in programming languages used for data reduction algorithms (e.g., MATLAB, Python, VBA, or specialized aircraft performance software).Experience working directly with FAA Designated Engineering Representatives (DERs), Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) units, or military airworthiness organizations. Prior experience acting as an active Flight Test Engineer (FTE).
Benefits and Perks:- Industry-competitive compensation package
- Company performance-based bonus plan
- Equity stock-based compensation package
- Employer-funded comprehensive health, vision, and dental insurance for employees and dependents 401k with company matchPTO & holiday pay
- Employer-funded life and disability insurance coverages
Company Profile:
Founded in 2013, FMS is a growing, flexible, customer-driven aircraft structural engineering and flight test company with manufacturing capability. We have many opportunities with a variety of types of projects with both foreign and domestic governments and commercial customers across many types of aircraft. Our parent company, Bridger Aerospace, is an aerial firefighting and critical infrastructure support company based in Belgrade, Montana. It was founded in 2014 to support front-line firefighters with world-leading technology and aerial fire suppression systems. Bridger Aerospace has grown from operating a single plane to commanding a significant Air Attack fleet, Special Missions Sensor Equipped Aircraft, and the largest privately operated Super Scooper fleet in the world.
