Head of Flight Test Management / Senior Flight Test M​anager - Air

The day-to-day

• Joint Leadership & Governance: Build, scale, and lead Helsing’s Flight Test Management Organization while operationally steering the growing flight test team in close partnership with our subsidiary Grob Aircraft. Align roles, crew assignments, and equipment, and establish clear cross-company governance, escalation paths, and decision-making frameworks.

• Process Standardization & Safety: Standardize and enforce rigorous flight testing processes (from Test Requests, Test Cards, and Readiness Reviews to standardized reporting) for UAVs and mission systems, including supporting certification processes and regulatory requirements.

• Campaigns, Ranges & Deployment: Coordinate flight test campaigns and budgets across multiple air programmes — including range selection, contracting, liaison, and approvals for national/international military test ranges and segregated airspaces (ED-Rs). Direct end-to-end domestic and international UAV deployments (ground control stations, telemetry, emergency response, spares, personnel, and DOB regulations).

• End-User & Contractual Alignment: Manage contractually committed flight test milestones, representing status, readiness, and deliverables in (customer) steering boards. Coordinate strategically with military command structures to align tests with operational defense requirements.

• OT&E & TaaS Development: Integrate Operational Test & Evaluation (OT&E) concepts into the test programme, translating operational doctrines (CONOPS) into realistic test scenarios to ensure military fit. Establish initial Training as a Service (TaaS) concepts for operators and lay the foundation for a dedicated TaaS organization.

• Schedule Ownership & AOG Reduction: Own the flight test schedule and manage aircraft availability, modifications, and maintenance downtime across competing programmes, giving internal stakeholders, partners, and customers one clear view of planned tests, dependencies, and risks. Interface closely with engineering, maintenance, service, and programme management to reduce AOG to an absolute minimum.

You should apply if you

• Have a proven track record (minimum 6 years' of relevant experience) in coordinating flight test campaigns or comparable engineering test programmes in defence, aerospace industry or related sectors   

• Bring leadership experience of a flight test or similar multi-disciplinary team

• Represent an organisation credibly with customers, partners and suppliers, handling contractual and operational conversations without close supervision

• Communicate fluently in German and English, in writing and in person, with technical and non-technical audiences alike

• Have a university degree (or equivalent experience) in any subject relevant to these sectors, including but not limited to mechanical, industrial or aerospace engineering   

• Are a high performer who thrives in a fast-paced environment    

• Are collaborative, humble and a problem-solver   

• Are willing to travel regularly 

• Are ready to meet all necessary requirements for a security clearance according to the respective national laws   

Nice to have

• Military operational background: Significant prior military experience within the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr—preferably Luftwaffe, Army Aviation, or Naval Aviation) or allied armed forces (e.g., Flight Test Manager within an military operational testing and evaluation organization, Operational Pilot, Weapon Systems Officer, or Military Program Manager).

• Previous experience with aircraft maintenance

• Previous experience with logistics of military goods

• Fluent in Spanish

Note: We operate in an industry where women, as well as other minority groups, are systematically under-represented. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the listed qualifications; ability and impact cannot be summarised in a few bullet points.

Competitive salary and VSOP options

These are the core benefits across all locations, there may be additional benefits in certain locations.

Helsing is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or gender identity. Please do not submit personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, data concerning your health, or data concerning your sexual orientation.