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Flight test engineer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Marco Salviato Ph.D.,
Saeed Khan
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical flight test engineer skills. We ranked the top skills for flight test engineers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 6.9% of flight test engineer resumes contained control room as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a flight test engineer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 flight test engineer skills for your resume and career

1. Control Room

A control room, also known as an operations center, is a room that serves as central control and monitoring station for security, building, and other types of systems of a large facility or physical area. Control rooms act as the central nervous system of a facility and require a reliable and efficient communication system to effectively handle emergencies, as well as critical incidents and decisions.

Here's how flight test engineers use control room:
  • Briefed aircrews, directed mission control room and led team through adversity while monitoring real-time data and orchestrating test.
  • Provided functional area expertise for test pilots in real time as certified control room personnel.

2. Data Analysis

Here's how flight test engineers use data analysis:
  • Supported and coordinated flight test activities through real-time data monitoring and post-test data analysis.
  • Collected data and completed data analysis to certify aircraft.

3. Test Procedures

Test procedure i defined as a tool for conducting an experiment to analyze or observe the specifications of a process or application.

Here's how flight test engineers use test procedures:
  • Developed test procedures, instrumentation and configuration needed to successfully perform assigned testing.
  • Developed specialized test procedures for maximum test efficiency.

4. Avionics

Avionics refers to the electronic system that is used on a spacecraft, artificial satellite, and aircraft. These systems include navigation, display, communication, and various other systems that perform specific individual functions like search site, tactical support, radars etc.

Here's how flight test engineers use avionics:
  • Design, Coordinate and Integrate all avionics/electrical and dynamic system modifications and processes regarding the recapitalization program of OEM aircraft.
  • Provided aerospace engineering consulting services in support of manned and unmanned rotor-wing integrated avionics and weapon system development.

5. DOD

Definition of Done (DoD) is a set of deliverables that are needed to devise software. These deliverables are valuable to the system and can be exemplified by writing code, coding comments, unit testing, integration testing, design documents, release notes, and so on.

Here's how flight test engineers use dod:
  • Verified hardware and RF/electrical interfaces involving DoD payloads.
  • Coordinated the test department's manpower and resources to meet continually changing project requirements, while upholding DOD standards.

6. Test Execution

Here's how flight test engineers use test execution:
  • Developed and maintained a flight test database designed to aid the flight test execution process.
  • Initiated efforts to develop standardized test cards amongst disciplines, improving test execution efficiency.

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7. Data Collection

Data collection means to analyze and collect all the necessary information. It helps in carrying out research and in storing important and necessary information. The most important goal of data collection is to gather the information that is rich and accurate for statistical analysis.

Here's how flight test engineers use data collection:
  • Performed in-flight data collection of aircraft instrumentation system for hosted aircraft during developmental flight tests to support early involvement efforts.
  • Supported post-test data collection and problem report investigations for validation and certification ground/flight testing on the 787 and 747-8 airplane programs.

8. FAA

FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) is an aviation regulatory body in the USA.

Here's how flight test engineers use faa:
  • Managed and oversaw all aspects of instrumentation for Developmental Testing during set up for FAA certification.
  • Ensured modification conformity by maintaining relationships with product engineers, planners, pilots, and FAA representatives (DER's).

9. Data Acquisition

Data acquisition involves getting real-time values and digital, numerical representations of everyday activities and physical conditions. These values can be altered and manipulated by a computer to get accurate results that can be used to solve problems, answer questions, or reapplied into everyday activities.

Here's how flight test engineers use data acquisition:
  • Conducted airborne data acquisition management system functional verification and troubleshooting sessions.
  • Maintained documentation, data acquisition integrity and accuracy of test measurements.

10. MATLAB

Here's how flight test engineers use matlab:
  • Developed data processing tools in MATLAB, which streamlined the data processing capability of GPS data from multiple airborne sources.
  • Provided test team with MATLAB presentations covering cost efficient techniques for parsing large data sets.

11. Test Equipment

Test equipment is a mechanical tool or a device which is used create signals and gather response from an electronic device under test. It helps in detecting any faults in the device and it also proves the proper operation of the electronic device.

Here's how flight test engineers use test equipment:
  • Developed, acquired and operated highly specialized test equipment to meet unique test objectives.
  • Maintain and operate aircraft instrumentation data systems and test equipment.

12. Test Results

Here's how flight test engineers use test results:
  • Evaluated test results real-time for data accuracy and test point completion/sequencing.
  • Assessed performance on $250 million in test aircraft and equipment by tracking deficiencies, leading modifications and analyzing test results.

13. RF

Here's how flight test engineers use rf:
  • Completed coursework regarding Defense Acquisition, RF systems, and signal processing.
  • Worked with RF issues utilizing RF test instrumentation.

14. Flight Test

Here's how flight test engineers use flight test:
  • Ensured the overall safety, efficiency and effectiveness of flight tests including responsibility for instrumentation and parachutes.
  • Coordinated with various organizations to facilitate effective and safe execution of all flight test activities.

15. Aircraft Systems

Aircraft systems refer to the subsystems necessary for the efficient and safe operation of an aircraft, including flight controls, landing gear, electrical systems, hydraulics, avionics, navigation, communications, and instrumentation. All aircraft require essential systems such as engine, propeller, induction, ignition systems, as well as fuel, lubrication, cooling, electrical, landing gear, and environmental control systems to aid flight. Understanding aircraft systems in flight is essential for safe operation and proper maintenance.

Here's how flight test engineers use aircraft systems:
  • Trained and taught numerous flight engineer personnel on the aircraft systems of the P-3C/NP-3C/EP-3 test aircraft and multiple aircrew practices.
  • Support aircraft systems installation and checkout for the Aft Fuselage and Wings before delivery to Lockheed for final assembly
top-skills

What skills help Flight Test Engineers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on flight test engineer resumes?

Marco Salviato Ph.D.Marco Salviato Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor in Aeronautics & Astronautics, Adjunct Assistant Professor in Materials Science and Engineering, University of Washington

I ask and I get asked this question a lot. Of course excellent academic performance goes a long way but it is not enough to be competitive. Most of the industrial partners I collaborate with tell me they are looking for "problem solvers", engineers who have strong fundamentals and who know how to apply them to solve engineering problems. They also look for "soft skills" such as project management experience, excellence in reporting scientific results and outcome of projects, leadership skills, and ability to work in a team.

My advice to students to nurture these skills is to engage as early as possible with student clubs such as UW Design Build Fly (DBF) or SARP (Society for Advanced Rocket Propulsion). Another good idea is to get involved as soon as possible in research activities conducted by faculty in the Department. Finally, I cannot stress enough the importance of participating in summer internships at aerospace companies. For all these activities to be relevant, it is important to make sure there are tangible outcomes and the contribution of the student is evident. A sentence such as, "I worked in a team of twenty people to design a new concept of bracket for an aerospace hydraulic fuel system. I was the leader of a team of five people in charge of the structural design. Leveraging Finite Element Analysis we were able to reduce the weight of the bracket of more than 50 percent compared to legacy design. In addition to the FEM simulations, my responsibilities included organizing weekly meetings with the team to discuss progress, deliverables, and timeline, presenting the results to the company, and writing monthly scientific reports" really stands out in a resume. All the industrial partners I work with told me that having these experiences with tangible outcomes in the resume is one of the key deciding factors for a new hire.

What flight test engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Saeed Khan

Professor of Engineering Technology, Website

Keeping up with the latest technology in materials, control systems, airframes, and communication systems as it relates to their responsibility is essential alongside development of people skills and communication facilities that help them market their ideas to their team.
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about flight test engineer

List of flight test engineer skills to add to your resume

Flight test engineer skills

The most important skills for a flight test engineer resume and required skills for a flight test engineer to have include:

  • Control Room
  • Data Analysis
  • Test Procedures
  • Avionics
  • DOD
  • Test Execution
  • Data Collection
  • FAA
  • Data Acquisition
  • MATLAB
  • Test Equipment
  • Test Results
  • RF
  • Flight Test
  • Aircraft Systems
  • Design Engineering
  • Test Schedules
  • Engineering Support
  • Technical Support
  • Developmental Test
  • FTE
  • CATIA
  • Flight Test Data
  • USAF
  • Aircraft Maintenance
  • Radar
  • Support Equipment
  • Missile
  • Java
  • GPS
  • Mission Planning
  • Ground Test
  • Ground Operations
  • Test Points
  • Aircraft Modifications
  • Aircraft Configuration
  • Instrumentation Systems
  • Helicopter
  • UAV
  • Regression
  • TIP
  • Test Pilots
  • NASA
  • F-16

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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