Lead flight test engineer

Line Up Aviation is a specialist aviation and aerospace recruitment company that has been operating worldwide for more than 35 years. We work with some of the industry's best-known companies who demand the highest standards.

On behalf of our global client, we are currently recruiting a Lead Flight Test Engineer to join their team in Bournemouth. This is a rare opportunity to play a critical role at the cutting edge of Electronic Warfare (EW) and Operational Readiness Training, supporting the UK Ministry of Defence and NATO allies worldwide.

Job Title: Lead Flight Test Engineer
Location: Bournemouth, United Kingdom
Work Type: Permanent
Salary: Competitive plus a great benefits package

Joining our client means that you will make a difference;

Direct impact on front line military readiness
Exposure to complex flight test programmes.
Opportunities to work across a wide range of aircraft platforms
A culture built on Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Team
Working alongside some of the most experienced EW and aviation specialists in the industry
A genuinely global aviation career
Reporting directly to the Flight Test Manager, you will lead the definition, planning, execution and reporting of flight test activity across our client's European fleet which is diverse and unique.

Your work will directly support the continued evolution of next generation EW training systems, ensuring that our client remains the partner of choice for complex, high end defence training.

Working hand in hand with our Design Office, maintenance teams, and test pilots, you will lead flight test programmes from concept through to delivery, both in the UK and across global deployment locations. You will also play a key role in navigating regulatory and certification landscapes, securing the approvals required to conduct safe, effective, and compliant flight testing.

The Lead Flight Test Engineer role is a flying role. When not conducting flight test duties and depending on previous qualifications, opportunities to conduct Operational Readiness Training as a rear crew may be available in a variety of aircraft and roles.

The role requires international travel, with deployments across Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East

Key Responsibilities

Lead the safe and effective delivery of flight test activities in the UK and at deployed locations worldwide
Plan and conduct airborne and ground flight testing as a Lead Flight Test Engineer
Develop and own test strategies, test plans, and test procedures
Maintain close collaboration with the Design Office, including participation in design and technical safety reviews
Develop and manage certification plans in support of flight test requirements
Produce clear, high quality flight test reports
Actively manage flight test risk to ALARP and tolerable levels
Ensure full regulatory compliance, cultivating trusted relationships with the UK CAA and other regulatory authorities
Essential Experience & qualifications.

Proven experience as a Lead Flight Test Engineer across multiple air vehicle types
Qualification as a Flight Test Engineer from a recognised and approved Flight Test Training Organisation
Hold, or be eligible to obtain, UK Security Clearance (SC)
Hold, or be able to meet, a minimum CAA Class 2 medical standard
Desirable Experience & Qualifications

Cat 1 Flight Test Engineer qualification
Military or civil aviation experience as flight crew or engineer
Degree (BSc / BEng or higher) in an engineering or science related discipline
Knowledge of UK, US and European civil and military regulatory frameworks
Experience with COTS or bespoke flight test instrumentation and data acquisition systems
Background in military EW / RF jamming, or specialist EW roles supporting the RAF or RN
Previous UAS / RPAS experience
The Commitment

our client is committed to the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and professionalism. They value diversity of thought, experience, and background, because better teams deliver better outcomes.

They are proud to be an Armed Forces friendly organisation and actively welcome applications from veterans, service spouses, and partners
They e are a Disability Confident employer and will provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process
They are unequivocal in their stance: intolerance has no place.
Every team member deserves respect, fairness, and the opportunity to succeed