Date: Jul 12, 2023
Location: Lexington, MA, US
Company: MIT Lincoln Laboratory
The mission of the Flight Test Facility is to support research and development programs at Lincoln Laboratory by providing unique airborne test bed platforms, state-of-the-art test facilities and expert integration and flight-test risk management solutions. The Flight Test Facility provides a method of validation with actual field collected data. The Flight Test Facility Research aircraft are flown, maintained, and managed by a professional staff of test pilots, certified maintenance technicians, and administrative personnel. The Flight Test Facility's first priority is safety of flight. All flight operations are conducted by using procedures and equipment that meet or exceed all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements. As a result of various past airborne testing programs, mission-specific procedures have been developed. These procedures and the Federal Aviation Regulations provide for safe, effective and successful operations. The Flight Test Facility was created to support early air-to-air collision avoidance research programs sponsored by the FAA. As the need for more extensive airborne testing increased, the Flight Test Facility has expanded to support a variety of Department of Defense and FAA programs. The Flight Test Facility currently operates eight experimentally certificated commercially derivative airborne test beds ranging in size from a small single engine Cessna to large turboprops and corporate jets.
Job Summary
As part of the MIT Lincoln Laboratory Flight Test Facility, which is responsible for integration of prototype systems into experimentally certificated aircraft, the part-time pilot is responsible for conducting mission planning and test operations on several highly modified experimental aircraft for the purpose of Research and Development, specifically the DHC-6 Twin Otter and the Saab 340. While this position is for a Part-Time pilot,
it is highly desired that the pilot be available three to five days a week from November 2022-July 2023.
Duties
:
Directly responsible for the safe and efficient conduct of the flights they are assigned.
Work effectively with a small team to engage with the engineering customer and ensure a smooth aircraft integration process.
Coordinate with the engineering customer to understand project scope, build schedules, write test plans (including flight profiles and test cards), analyze flight test risk, manage logistics, and coordinate airspace.
Actively contribute in technical information and test planning meetings, Configuration Control Boards, Safety Review Boards, First Flight Readiness Review Boards, preflight briefings and debriefings.
Communicate to engineering project personnel the results of test flights (ground and/or flight) including recommendations and lessons learned.
Observe company Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), FAA rules and regulations, and proper use of safety and risk mitigation methods.
Study weather conditions at destination, en route, alternate airports, and departure points.
Ensure that flight plans are properly prepared and filed.
Review and calculate the aircraft weight and balance, fuel on board, and performance charts.
Investigate, review, and comply with military range operating procedures.
Comply with schedules and other directives governing the aircraft’s operation.
As the most visible Flight Test Facility representative to the Laboratory, must act with tact and decorum while ensuring an efficient and safe flight operations.
Airline Transport Pilot FAA certificate with MEL privileges desired
Commercial Multi-Engine Aircraft FAA certificate if a previously military-rated pilot is acceptable.
Current FAA Medical Certificate (First or Second Class)
Twin engine turboprop experience specifically DHC-6 Twin Otter or Saab 340 highly desired
Minimum Total flight time 1500 hours (prefer 2000 hours), including 500 hours of PIC turbine time
Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent highly preferred.
Interpersonal skills necessary to work effectively with a variety of individuals, departments and organizations
Ability and willingness to work with irregular hours and work days
Ability to travel
Previous flight test experience a plus
Must be able to obtain and maintain government (DoD) clearance
For Benefits Information, see http://hrweb.mit.edu/benefits
Selected candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret level DoD security clearance.
To safeguard our health and well-being, MIT Lincoln Laboratory requires COVID-19 vaccination for all employees. Individuals may request exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reason.
MIT Lincoln Laboratory is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, or genetic information; U.S. citizenship is required.
Requisition ID: 38008