How to hire a flight test mechanic

How to hire a flight test mechanic, step by step

Here's a step-by-step flight test mechanic hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a flight test mechanic job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new flight test mechanic
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a flight test mechanic, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A flight test mechanic's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, flight test mechanics from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of flight test mechanics.

   Type of Flight Test Mechanic	Description	Hourly rate
   Flight Test Mechanic	Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians repair and perform scheduled maintenance on aircraft. They also may perform aircraft inspections as required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).	$21-38
   Aircraft Fueler	Aircraft fuelers' primary role is to ensure the proper refueling of aircraft before and after a flight. The position is essential, as proper refueling determines the safety of an aircraft... Show more	$12-21
   Aircraft Electrician	An aircraft electrician specializes in installing and repairing electrical systems in an aircraft, ensuring quality and efficiency. Their responsibilities typically include running diagnostic tests and examinations, troubleshooting problems, replacing and fixing components, understanding diagrams, and keeping records... Show more	$18-37

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Electrical Systems
   • Ground Support Equipment
   • Aircraft Structures
   • Hydraulic Systems
   • Aircraft Systems
   • Flight Control
   • Pre-Flight
   • Engineering Drawings
   • Jigs
   • Test Equipment
   • FAA
   • Aircraft Maintenance
   • Airframe
   • Service Checks

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Work with FAA personnel inspecting aircraft upon arrival to airfield.
   • Inspect complete work to certify that maintenance meets FAA standards and that aircraft are ready for operation.
   • Work in there fleet department repairing and diagnosis on all emergency apparatuses and ambulances and police vehicles also include maintenance schedules.
   • Receive and implement combat orders and direct deployment of personnel in offensive, defensive operations.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your flight test mechanic job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A flight test mechanic salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, flight test mechanics' average salary in nebraska is 43% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level flight test mechanics earn 45% less than senior-level flight test mechanics.
   • Certifications. A flight test mechanic with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a flight test mechanic's salary.

   Average flight test mechanic salary

   $59,974yearly

   $28.83 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level flight test mechanic salary

   $44,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

4. Writing a flight test mechanic job description

   A flight test mechanic job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a flight test mechanic job description:

   Flight test mechanic job description example

   COVID\-19 continues to significantly impact our employees, families and communities\. With employee health and safety as our top priority, and as a federal contractor, Lockheed Martin is taking action to address the increased risk and uncertainty COVID variants pose in the workplace and ensuring we meet our commitments to national security\.
   
   To uphold safety for all employees, we will continue to request vaccination status for all Lockheed Martin employees including new hires\. All current and newly hired employees who are unvaccinated will be required to adhere to onsite safety protocols\.
   
   **Description:** Determines methods and sequence of operations on prototype or production products such as aircraft, prior to, during or subsequent to flight\. Where required information is not complete, operational sequences change or vary considerably, and tooling is inadequate or not available; disassembles and rebuilds prototype products prior to or subsequent to engineering flight tests, to effect design or modification changes in structures and functional systems for flight test purposes\. Mocks up, makes initial layouts, fabricates, assembles and installs new structures, components and systems as required\. Performs the final flight line servicing, operational checkout, troubleshooting, repairing and maintenance, and sells of aircraft structures and functional systems, including electrical, power plants, accessories and components, for airworthiness and conformance to Company and customer specifications and requirements\. Operates, troubleshoots, makes final adjustments and corrects malfunctioning and entire rigging, surface control, plumbing, hydraulic, fuel, environmental, life support and other functional systems, while such systems are operating under auxiliary power or power furnished by the ship's power plants\. Troubleshoots and corrects malfunctioning of products and systems revealed by successive flight by Company or customer personnel either at Company or at customer facilities\.
   Must possess license or certificates as required\.
   
   Must have a minimum of four years of experience in aircraft assembly and checkout, or as a Flight Line Mechanic, or be a graduate Flight Line Mechanic Apprentice, or possess a valid A & P License with two years of practical experience\.
   
   Experience with reading Blueprints or completed Blueprint Training\.
   
   Essential Job Functions Physical Demands General Flight Mechanic \(RP4156\) Standing: Requires full time standing with limited resting periods and to walk distances\. Heights: Able to work at heights\. Able to climb stairs or ladders as required\. Able to work off of step stools, scissor lifts, lift platforms and aircraft structure without handrails\. Overhead work: Able to work overhead as required\. Weight restriction: Able to Lift/push/pull/carry a minimum of 50 lbs Body positioning: Able to twist/bend \(neck or waist\) and stoop\. Able to work in awkward positions as required\. Able to squat/kneel/crawl/reach as required\. Work content: Able to use/hold/manipulate small tools and parts with hands\. Simple grasping, power grasping and fine manipulation is required\. Able to use vibrating tools and perform torqueing operations\. Able to use power equipment\. Repetitive tasks will be performed\. Vision/Hearing: High level Hand/Eye coordination required\. Corrective lenses may be used\. Eye protection required in many instances\. Color differentiation may be required\. Must be able to hear at level required for positions\. Environmental: Able to work around noise, chemicals, fumes and dust\. Capable of using respirators and other personal protective equipment including hearing protection if required\. Able to work outside if needed\. Attendance: Regular attendance required based on set work schedule\. Able to work any shift\. Vehicles/Power moving equipment: Able to operate as required\. Able to work around heavy equipment or machinery\.The physical demands described above do not contain a comprehensive listing of all physical requirements for all positions\. The physical demands of each position will vary based on business needs so the physical demands described above are subject to change and employees therefore will also be expected to perform all physical requirements necessary for their positions\. This job description may be changed to include new or different physical demands or change existing ones as management deems necessary\.
   
   This position requires a government security clearance and only candidates with US Citizenship may be considered\.
   
   HourlyProductionOperations
   
   **Basic Qualifications:**
   
   Must have a minimum of four years of experience in aircraft assembly and checkout, or as a Flight Line Mechanic, or be a graduate Flight Line Mechanic Apprentice, or possess a valid A & P License with two years of practical experience\.
   
   Must possess license or certificates as required\.
   
   Experience with reading Blueprints or completed Blueprint Training\.
   
   Knowledge of hydraulic, plumbing, surface control and rigging systems\.
   
   MUST BE ABLE TO WORK ANY SHIFT\.
   
   **Desired Skills:**
   
   Must be able to demonstrate a knowledge of or have successfully completed training in the following job skills: Systems troubleshooting and checkout; principles of operation of fuel systems, flight control systems and hydraulic system; principles of operation of propulsion systems; Basic Computer Operations; familiarization in operation of ground support equipment; Repair Technology: Skin, scratch, structural, plastic and composite repair, and principles of operation of environmental and life support systems\.
   
   **BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:**
   
   job\.Qualifications
   
   **Lockheed Martin is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer\. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status\.**
   
   Join us at Lockheed Martin, where your mission is ours\. Our customers tackle the hardest missions\. Those that demand extraordinary amounts of courage, resilience and precision\. They're dangerous\. Critical\. Sometimes they even provide an opportunity to change the world and save lives\. Those are the missions we care about\.
   
   As a leading technology innovation company, Lockheed Martin's vast team works with partners around the world to bring proven performance to our customers' toughest challenges\. Lockheed Martin has employees based in many states throughout the U\.S\., and Internationally, with business locations in many nations and territories\.
   
   **EXPERIENCE LEVEL:**
   
   Hourly/Non\-Exempt

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find flight test mechanics for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any flight test mechanics they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level flight test mechanics with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your flight test mechanic job on Zippia to find and recruit flight test mechanic candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with flight test mechanic candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new flight test mechanic

   Once you've decided on a perfect flight test mechanic candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new flight test mechanic. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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