Test Pilot Manager jobs in Minnesota

Cirrus Aircraft’s Mission is to deliver an aviation experience that is the pinnacle of innovation, quality, and safety to our customers. Cirrus Aircraft is the recognized global leader in personal aviation and the maker of the best-selling SR Series piston aircraft and the Vision Jet™, the world’s first single engine Personal Jet and recipient of the 2017 Robert J. Collier Trophy. Founded in 1984, the company has redefined performance, comfort and safety in aviation with innovations like the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®) – the first FAA-certified whole-airframe parachute safety system included as standard equipment on an aircraft. To date, worldwide flight time on Cirrus aircraft has passed sixteen million hours and over 250 people have returned home safely to their families as a result of the inclusion of CAPS® as a standard feature on all Cirrus aircraft. Find out more at cirrusaircraft.com.

Cirrus offers a competitive benefits package and is dedicated to the advancement of general aviation. The Cirrus Flying Club offers employees and their family members the unique opportunity to obtain their private pilot’s license in the comfort of a Cirrus or rent a Cirrus for an impromptu adventure at a greatly reduced rate.  We are committed to investing in the future of our employees and company by offering professional development and career progression opportunities and we engage employees by offering several employee and family events throughout the year, as well as the opportunity to take part in activity clubs and community events.

Job Summary: 

Pilot new production aircraft through a set range of tests to evaluate factors such as aircraft airworthiness, performance, handling characteristics, and systems operation, and set-up. Ensure aircraft meets Cirrus and FAA requirements set in the type design of the aircraft.

Essential Duties:
• Perform preflight inspections, weight & balance computations, and performance calculations to ensure aircraft flight readiness.
• Evaluate weather conditions, aircraft status, and other factors to determine a safe go, no/go decision while operating within Cirrus Flight Test safety policies.
• Pilot aircraft through a series of flight tests to evaluate system's operation, performance, handling, and stability to assure aircraft meets Type Design, FAA, and Cirrus Design quality requirements.
• Observe recording, measuring, and operating instruments and equipment during test flight to evaluate aircraft performance. 
• Gather data points and document aircraft behavior to assist technicians in troubleshooting aircraft or system anomalies.
• Record and Document aircraft performance data. Record and Document all conditions that do not meet established criteria.
• Comply with all paperwork that governs job duties. Attention to detail is required.
• Comply with all Cirrus Design safety policies including the use of personal protective equipment. (i.e. flight suits, eye protection, etc.)
• Must be able to work as part of a team as well as function individually.  Weekend work may be required.  May be assigned to different work areas/shifts as production needs require.  Perform other duties as assigned. 
• May assist and explain job duties/responsibilities to others. May be required to provide initial and/or re-currency training to other test pilots.
• Occasional overnight and international travel may be required.               
• Passport or ability to obtain a passport is required
• Candidate must be comfortable piloting non pressurized aircraft to high altitude.

Education and/or Experience:

• A bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university.
• Minimum of 1000 hrs PIC flight time.
• Four years related experience and/or training in the area of production fight test and/or maintenance flight test.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted.
• Experience in a variety of high performance aircraft. Aerobatics, tail-wheel, multiengine, or military flight experience is a plus.
• A background in aviation maintenance, avionics, or similar technical experience is highly desired.

Certificate or Licensures:
Applicant must possess an FAA Commercial or ATP pilot's license with airplane single engine, and instrument ratings. A multi-engine rating is desired.  A valid First or Second Class Medical is required. A CFI/CFII is highly desired.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position.  Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.  Work beyond 40 hours per week may be required. 

This opportunity is located in Duluth, Minnesota. As the home to our corporate headquarters, Duluth is a four-season city on the western tip of Lake Superior and was voted “Best Town” by Outside Magazine. The splendor of the largest freshwater lake in the world offers a multitude of outdoor activities for adventure or rejuvenation. The North Shore lifestyle is known its year-round activities, including bicycle and snowmobile trails, kayaking, rock climbing, fishing, hiking, golfing, sailing and skiing. And as a top employer in the area, Cirrus Aircraft was recently named “Best Overall Large Company to Work for in the Northland” and “Best Workplace Culture” by the Duluth News Tribune readers.

Cirrus is dedicated to a drug free work environment promoting equal employment opportunity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, national origin, color, age, disability, religion, pregnancy, veteran status, marital and family status, sexual orientation, receipt of public assistance, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.