Airbus Americas, Inc. | A320 Test Pilot

Test Pilot (A220/A320 Production Aircraft)

Location: Mobile, Alabama | Employment Type: Full Time, Direct Hire | Job ID: JR10341016

Role Overview

Airbus Commercial Aircraft is seeking a highly qualified professional to fulfill the role of Test Pilot within its Engineering department, based at the U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Mobile, Alabama. This critical full-time position is central to aviation quality assurance, requiring the successful execution of rigorous ground and flight tests on A220 and A320 production aircraft prior to customer delivery.

The Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Environment

The Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility, situated at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley, serves as a cornerstone of commercial aircraft production for the A320 and A220 families. The Engineering team operates at the intersection of concept and customer delivery, managing technical documentation, quality control, maintenance operations, and flight line safety. The Test Pilot will join a dynamic team dedicated to strengthening the U.S. aerospace industry and supporting Airbus’s global strategy.

Key Responsibilities and Challenges

The Test Pilot’s responsibilities demand technical excellence, decisive leadership, and strict adherence to safety protocols:

• Assuming Captaincy and responsibility for the entire flight, including the mandatory signing of the flight order prepared and co-signed by the Lead Flight Test Engineer (L-FTE).
• Approving flight conditions by delegation of the Head of Flight Test and under Design Organization Approval (DOA) privilege, in compliance with Airbus procedures.
• Ensuring strict compliance with the authorized flight test plan. While the L-FTE may modify the plan in-flight due to operational factors (weather, instrumentation, serviceability), this is subject to the Captain’s concurrence and must remain within the authorized flight envelope and aircraft limitations. The Captain retains the unilateral right to delete unsuitable items from the existing Flight Order.
• Attending post-flight technical debriefs and proactively collaborating with Engineering staff to expedite the resolution of any faults or observations identified during approved test flights.
• Coordinating all essential ground and in-flight arrangements, including comprehensive briefings in alignment with the Instrument Flight Test Engineer (I-FTE) and dispatch, to guarantee safe and efficient flight conduct.
• Engaging continuously with customers throughout the delivery process and participating in dedicated customer-focused activities to effectively communicate Airbus’s approved positions on industry issues and flight test matters.
• Performing additional duties within the broader Flight Test perimeter, which may include assisting Training Departments, executing external flights (e.g., lease-recovery, developmental flights, commercial events), and providing short-term assistance to other global Flight Test centers (Toulouse, Hamburg, Tianjin, Mirabel).

Required Qualifications and Experience

Successful candidates must possess the following mandatory qualifications:

• Graduation from an EASA recognized flight test school (including ETPS, EPNER, USNTPS, USAFTPS, NTPS, and ITPS).
• A minimum of 3,000 total flight hours accumulated.
• Demonstrated Flight Test Pilot experience exceeding 1,000 flight hours.
• Possession of a current multi-pilot instrument rating.
• An ICAO Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) that is eligible for conversion to an EASA ATPL.
• ICAO English Language Proficiency at Level 5 or higher.
• Recent operational experience with Fly-By-Wire (FBW) systems.
• Proven ability to foster consensus, resolve complex issues, and communicate technical information effectively.
• Dependability, self-motivation, and accessibility are essential qualities.
• The ability to travel internationally, often unaccompanied, for periods up to approximately three months.
• Adaptability to flexible and extended hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as stipulated within the scope of the Airbus Flight Operations Manual.
• Current authorization to work permanently in the United States.

Physical and Working Conditions

This position is 100% on-site. The role requires the ability to perform physical tasks common in manufacturing and flight operations environments, including:

• Visual acuity to read computer screens, electronic equipment, documents, reports, and engineering drawings.
• Auditory capacity to participate in conversations (in-person and remotely) and hear safety warnings or alarms on the production floor.
• The ability to lift, carry, push, and pull documents, tools, and electronic equipment weighing up to 30 lbs/14 kgs.
• Capability to stand for extended periods, walk across production and office areas (including uneven surfaces), squat, kneel, and sit for long periods.
• Willingness to travel independently and on short notice.
• Mandatory use of required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which includes Safety Shoes, Safety Glasses, Hearing Protection, Respirators/Masks, and/or Protective Gloves as dictated by site or customer requirements.

Compensation and Employee Welfare

Airbus is committed to supporting its workforce through comprehensive benefits and opportunities:

• Financial Rewards: Competitive base salary, incentive compensation (which may include profit sharing schemes), a retirement savings plan, and the opportunity to participate in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”).
• Work/Life Balance: Generous paid time off, including personal time, holidays, and a comprehensive paid parental leave program.
• Health & Welfare: Extensive insurance coverage, including medical (traditional and high-deductible health plans), prescription, dental, vision, life, disability, an Employee Assistance Plan (“EAP”), and other supplemental benefit coverages.
• Individual Development: Access to the global Leadership University for upskilling and professional development, offering unlimited access to 10,000+ e-learning courses focused on employability, certifications, and career paths. Opportunities for accelerated development programmes and both national and international mobility are available.

Airbus promotes flexible working arrangements where possible to stimulate innovation, supporting employees to work, connect, and collaborate easily and accessibly.

This job requires an acute awareness of potential compliance risks and a steadfast commitment to act with integrity, forming the foundation for the Company's reputation, success, and sustainable growth.

Airbus provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status. Employment with Airbus is at will, meaning either the company or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice.

Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, the company will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process.