Airbus Americas, Inc. | A320 Test Pilot

Role Overview

Airbus Commercial Aircraft invites applications for a professional and highly experienced Test Pilot to join its Engineering department in Mobile, Alabama. This critical, full-time position ensures the precise and safe execution of ground and flight testing protocols for A220 and A320 production aircraft, supporting the final stages of the manufacturing flowline.

The Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Environment

The successful candidate will join the dedicated team of Engineers at the state-of-the-art Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility, located at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley. Opened in 2015, the facility specializes in the production of A320 Family aircraft and added the A220 product line in 2019. The team is responsible for managing technical information, quality control, maintenance tasks, and flight line operations, taking aircraft from assembly concept through to customer delivery.

Core Responsibilities and Challenges

The Test Pilot is responsible for the overall safety and integrity of all assigned production flights. Key duties include:

• Assuming comprehensive responsibility for the entire flight mission, including formal approval of the flight order prepared and co-signed by the Lead Flight Test Engineer (L-FTE).
• Acting as Captain, and by delegation of the Head of Flight Test and under Design Organisation Approval (DOA) privilege, formally approving flight conditions according to established Airbus procedures.
• Strictly adhering to the authorized flight test plan while retaining the authority to delete unsuitable items from the existing Flight Order due to real-time analysis, instrumentation issues, changing weather, or aircraft serviceability concerns.
• Ensuring all necessary ground and in-flight arrangements, including all mandatory briefings in coordination with the In-Flight Test Engineer (I-FTE) and dispatch, are completed for safe and efficient flight conduct.
• Participating in post-flight technical debriefs and engaging effectively with Engineering staff to expedite the resolution of faults or observations discovered during approved test flights.
• Maintaining continuous engagement with customers during the delivery process and dedicated customer-focused activities to effectively communicate Airbus's approved technical positions on major industry and flight test matters.
• Performing required tasks within the broader Flight Test perimeter, which may include assisting Training Departments, conducting external flights (e.g., lease-recovery or developmental flights), short-term international assistance to other Airbus Flight Test centers (Toulouse, Hamburg, Tianjin, Mirabel), and attending/presenting at specialized conferences.

Candidate Minimum Requirements (The Boarding Pass)

Candidates must satisfy the following professional and technical criteria:

• Education: Graduate of an EASA recognized flight test school (e.g., ETPS, EPNER, USNTPS, USAFTPS, NTPS, or ITPS).
• Flight Time: A minimum of 3,000 total flight hours.
• Specialized Experience: Greater than 1,000 flight hours specifically in a Flight Test Pilot role.
• Licensing: Possesses a current Multi-Pilot Instrument Rating and an ICAO Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) that is eligible for conversion to an EASA ATPL.
• Language Proficiency: ICAO English Language Proficiency Level 5 or higher.
• Technical Skills: Recent and demonstrable experience with Fly-By-Wire (FBW) systems.
• Professional Attributes: Demonstrates a refined approach to communication that resolves problems, facilitates consensus, and maintains focus on operational objectives. Must be dependable, self-motivated, and capable of working effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced setting.
• Travel and Flexibility: Ability to travel unaccompanied to international destinations (approximately three months annually) and capacity to work flexible and extended hours (including nights, weekends, and holidays) as required within the scope of the Airbus Flight Operations Manual.
• Legal Status: Must be permanently authorized to work in the United States.

Commitment to Employee Well-being

Airbus is dedicated to supporting its employees through a robust compensation and benefits package:

• Financial Rewards: Competitive base salary, potential incentive compensation (including 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, recognized holidays, and a comprehensive paid parental leave program. Airbus supports flexible working arrangements where operational requirements allow.
• Health & Welfare: Comprehensive insurance coverage, including medical (traditional and high-deductible health plans), prescription, dental, vision, life, disability, and an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP).
• Individual Development: Access to the global Leadership University, unlimited access to over 10,000 e-learning courses focused on employability and certifications, accelerated development programs, and opportunities for both national and international mobility.

Physical Requirements and Work Setting

This position is 100% On-site. The role requires the ability to:

• Perform tasks involving long periods of sitting, standing, and walking through production areas, including uneven surfaces.
• Operate standard office equipment, personal electronic devices, and potentially some production tools (e.g., hydraulic lifts).
• See, hear, and speak effectively to participate in conversations, meetings, and identify safety warnings or alarms on the production floor.
• Lift, push, pull, and carry documents, tools, or electronic equipment up to 30 lbs (14 kgs).
• Utilize required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which includes, but is not limited to, safety shoes, safety glasses, hearing protection, respirators/masks, and protective gloves, as mandated by site safety regulations.