Director, Flight Test Engineering

AALTO
Farnborough
2 weeks ago
Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

At AALTO, we offer an exceptional work environment that values your well-being and rewards your dedication. As part of our team, you'll experience the freedom of flexible working that enable you to achieve a healthy work-life balance. We believe in recognizing your hard work and commitment, which is why we provide a fantastic bonus scheme that rewards your contributions. Additionally, we understand the importance of financial security and support your future with a competitive pension plan. When you join us, you become part of a workplace that not only encourages your professional growth but also cares about your personal fulfilment and financial stability.

AALTO HAPS Ltd. is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status or pregnancy and maternity.

Welcome to AALTO, where we're blazing a trail to an extraordinary future! We're not just rewriting the rulebook; we're defining what is possible from the sky itself by, propelling HAPS technology to stratospheric heights.

Imagine an aircraft soaring above 60,000 feet, powered by sunlight, and flying for months above traditional air traffic. That's us, AALTO, world-leaders in High-Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) technology, with our 100% solar-electric, world-record-breaking Zephyr HAPS aircraft. But that's just the beginning! We're on the verge of becoming the global leader in HAPS Connectivity as a Service (CaaS), connecting diverse needs in the Mobile and Satellite Network Operator market. We connect the various demands of our customers, whether it's for rural connectivity, overlay capacity, disaster recovery, or new service provision. Plus, we're opening doors in revolutionizing Earth observation, tracking, and communications, while operating a carbon-neutral Zephyr HAPS fleet.

Join us in this exciting journey at AALTO. You won't just be part of a team; you'll be part of an eclectic, passionate group of visionaries shaping the future and pushing boundaries in the stratosphere. Ready to rewrite history with us? AALTO is not just creating an aircraft; we're shaping a future of boundless possibilities.

Job purpose:

We are seeking a Director, Flight Test Engineer to join AALTO. In this role, you will report to the VP of Engineering and oversee all phases of development testing. You will lead and mentor a small team, ensuring the successful execution of test activities, including gathering test requirements from stakeholders, developing test documentation, conducting reviews, coordinating ground and flight testing, and reporting findings to drive informed decision-making.

Responsibilities:

  • Providing inspirational technical leadership to the test team, managing technical scope and their day-to-day tasking.
  • Managing and delivering ground and flight test activities to meet type certification requirements.
  • Acting as the flight test post holder for a P21J Design Organisation
  • Manage a team to:
  • Elicit, analyse, and derive requirements from stakeholder needs.
  • Manage individual test activities.
  • Manage changes with the delivery of impact analysis.
  • Verify that the system and sub system requirements are correctly and completely implemented.
  • Evaluate system changes, including new and expanded functionality.
  • Ensure the system is tested to AALTO development standards.
  • Configure and maintain test tools and equipment

Skills & experience:

  • Demonstrable leadership skills to inspire a collaborative and motivated team environment.
  • Experience in working with Aviation Regulators and or Part 21 organisations.
  • Evaluation of software and hardware systems.
  • Good working knowledge of flight sciences
  • Test of Safety related/critical systems, preferably in the Aerospace sector.

Other Useful skills and experience:

  • Deep Aviation industry experience.
  • Knowledge of uncrewed air systems.
  • Working within flight test organisations for aircraft under development.
  • Structural loads evaluation and testing.
  • DO 160 environmental test requirements.
  • Evaluation of systems and equipment to DO 178 and 254 requirements.
  • Good understanding of supplier management.

In addition to salary, we offer:

  • Rewarding Excellence: Benefit from our short-term incentive plan that rewards your hard work and dedication.

  • Enjoy Your Time Off: Benefit from 25 days of holiday to relax and recharge.

  • Stay Healthy: We’ve got your health covered with private medical insurance, along with dental and optical cash back.

  • Secure Your Future: Take advantage of our personal pension plan to ensure a comfortable retirement.

  • Peace of Mind: Our income protection and life assurance schemes are there to support you when you need it most.

  • We Care About You: Our employee assistance programme is always available to provide the support you need.

  • Perks Galore: Enjoy a range of employee discounts via Perkbox, because you deserve a treat!


#LI-AB1



Get the latest insights and jobs direct. Sign up for our newsletter.

By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Navigating the Leap from Academia to the UK Space Industry: How Researchers Can Propel Their Careers in Commercial Space Ventures

Over the past decade, the UK’s space industry has witnessed remarkable growth. Once considered a niche field reserved for large governmental agencies, the space sector now spans high-profile private enterprises, dynamic start-ups, and thriving research collaborations. These developments offer exciting career opportunities for PhD holders and academic researchers looking to translate their expertise into cutting-edge satellite technologies, launch services, orbital science, and more. If you’re an academic professional contemplating a move into commercial space, you’re poised to make a significant impact on technology, research, and international space exploration efforts. This article delves into how to transition from academia to the space industry in the UK. We’ll break down the various sub-sectors of space, highlight the differences between academic and commercial research, and offer strategies for tailoring your skill set to industry-specific requirements. By drawing on these insights—and showcasing the skills you’ve already honed through years in academia—you can confidently embark on a fulfilling career that helps shape the UK’s place in the global space arena.

Which Space Career Path Suits You Best?

Launch Your Future in the Final Frontier with This Space-Focused Quiz The UK space industry is thriving, driven by ambitious satellite projects, cutting-edge launch initiatives, and international collaborations pushing the boundaries of exploration. From designing rockets and satellites to processing Earth observation data or shaping space policy, there’s a wealth of roles for those captivated by what lies beyond Earth’s atmosphere. This quiz will help you pinpoint which space career path aligns best with your interests, skill set, and aspirations.

The Ultimate Glossary of Space Terms: Your Comprehensive Guide to the Final Frontier

From launching satellites and rovers to enabling global communications and Earth observation, space exploration has entered a new era of dynamic growth and innovation. Fuelled by decreasing launch costs, collaborative international missions, and ambitious commercial ventures, the space sector offers remarkable opportunities across engineering, research, business, operations, and beyond. Yet, the industry’s specialised vocabulary—spanning orbital mechanics, propulsion systems, and mission operations—can be daunting to professionals entering or advancing within this field. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive glossary—to help you understand core terms and concepts shaping modern space activities. If you’re looking for exciting roles in the UK space sector, explore www.ukspacejobs.co.uk and follow UK Space Jobs on LinkedIn for the latest positions, career insights, and networking opportunities.