Research Flight Test Engineer - SME

Location: Edwards AFB, CA

Work Location: onsite

• During the extensive Mission System Upgrade (MSU) mod to the X-62 (May 2026 to approximately March 2027), responsible for technical coordination of the modifications to the aircraft – with otherX-62 project support organizations/personnel.
• Coordinate the aircraft’s mod schedules with TPS, X-62 support organizations, and with 412TW/AFTC when required.
• Assist in developing X-62 system proposal/change requests, and evolving system requirements/needs for the MSU modifications.
• Responsible for the research focused, operations engineering associated with the X-62 aircraft (post-MSU modifications), which include:
• Assisting the TPS dean of flight research (DFR) to coordinate research efforts and their associated test missions efforts that could utilize the X-62, including TPS Test Management Projects (TMPs).
• Aircraft configuration control, operations security, and scheduling
• Test Execution - Conductor/Director duties
• Responsible for test planning (test plans and safety plan writing, coordination, approval)
• Including test cards development, coordination, and approvals
• Other duties in-line with MTSI’s core value to “Own and Solve our Customer’s Problems”.

• Minimum of 15 years of relevant experience in all phases of planning, executing, and managing flight tests and a reputation of being a team player. The demands of the X-62 are unique due to its unique leading-edge, low-TRL research mission
• 5 year minimum (10 years desired) hands-on experience and knowledge with mission systems/sensors and electronic warfare – including AESA radar, IRST, EO/IR imaging, radar warning receivers
• Direct experience or extensive familiarization with DoD Class II modification processes, aircraft airworthiness & approvals, and aircraft H/W & S/W configuration control.
• Experience with AI/ML and autonomous aircraft systems.
• Experience leading research programs within the military flight test domain.
• Experience running or executing missions from a Mission Control Room. Qualified (or skills & experience necessary to achieve qualification) test conductor/director (TC/TD).
• Maturity and professionalism to lead the execution of flight test missions, briefings and oversee team of discipline engineers to support Flight Test Operations.
• Work well in a team environment as well as independently. Skilled in making valued, trusted, defendable recommendations to leadership.
• Experience generating test plans, flight test mission material, post-mission & detailed final reports.
• Position requires willingness to accept changing and evolving roles & responsibilities in support of customers’ requirements and needs.

• Either USAF Test Pilot School Graduate or >10 yrs experience within a military flight test organization, preferably with one of the AFTC centers (Edwards AFB, Eglin AFB, or Holloman)
• Wide breadth of aircraft test related experience, examples include sensors, EW, T-2 modifications, fight dynamics/performance, aircraft systems, and system networks.
• Developmental Test experience

• Required - Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field (must have 20+ yrs of relevant work experience).
• Desired – Master’s degree in a STEM field (must have 15+ yrs of relevant work experience).

• Travel up to 10% may be required for this position.

• Secret clearance is required.
• Ability to obtain TS/SCI