Flight Test/Trial Director

Role Overview

An Australian defence company is expanding its flight operations team and seeks a Flight Test/Trial Director to take responsibility for the developmental flight testing and trials across various aircraft programs. While a formal flight test qualification is not mandatory, practical experience in flight test engineering or operational test and evaluation, along with a solid background in flight operations and airworthiness, is highly valued.

Key Responsibilities

• Take leadership of developmental flight trials by creating flight test plans, test cards, test objectives, and operational procedures.
• Lead test readiness reviews and make critical decisions such as go/no-go calls and aborts during live trial activities.
• Work extensively in ground control station environments, monitoring telemetry and aircraft health throughout flight operations.
• Interpret airworthiness and regulatory requirements and translate them into detailed test objectives, points, data collection needs, and acceptance criteria.
• Analyze flight test data, produce thorough reports, conduct anomaly investigations, and assemble airworthiness documentation.
• Create and sustain operational safety cases and approval frameworks aligned with relevant aviation regulations and risk assessment methodologies.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, avionics, and manufacturing teams to support aircraft development.
• Assist in workforce planning, capability building, and governance as the trials team expands.
• Act as a representative for the trials function internally and, when necessary, engage with external regulators and customers.

Candidate Requirements

• A degree in aerospace, aeronautical, mechanical engineering, or a closely related field.
• Several years of experience in flight test, flight operations, or operational test and evaluation, including prior leadership or coordination of teams.
• Proven experience with airworthiness processes, safety case formulation, and interaction with aviation regulatory bodies.
• Proficiency working in ground control station settings and interpreting telemetry and aircraft health data.
• Ability to lead the entire testing lifecycle from planning to execution, analysis, and reporting.
• A mature, senior-level professional comfortable managing trial programs and leading teams hands-on.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management skills for effective collaboration across multidisciplinary groups.
• Willingness and flexibility to undertake extended travel for trial deployments according to program demands.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• Formal flight test qualification or training in operational test and evaluation.
• Background in military aviation or aerospace engineering.
• Experience in engineering leadership, governance, or commercial roles within a growing organisation.

Additional Information

This full-time position is based in Adelaide, South Australia. The role will require periodic deployments for trial activities, with frequency varying by program needs. Due to the nature of the work, Australian Citizenship is mandatory.