Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer

Job Summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars. They are seeking a Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer in Poway, CA.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Aid in the development of flight-hardened instrumentation systems tailored to the needs of the flight test program.
• Bench test complex instrumentation systems and networks in a lab environment to validate test methods and accuracy.
• Install measurement sensors and data acquisition systems on the aircraft in preparation for flight testing.
• Learn new concepts quickly to troubleshoot electromechanical systems and data acquisition systems.
• Develop test procedures, maintain a detailed account of technical specifications, and clearly document test activities and results.
• Provide on-going technical support and health monitoring of the flight test instrumentation system from concept design and system build through test execution and data management.
• Perform Modal and Ground Vibration Tests of components both on and off of the aircraft.
• Determine, communicate, and document the flight and ground test objectives, and develop test systems accordingly.
• Work closely with other test engineers and technicians in the Mechanical Engineering Development Laboratory to complete aircraft level and component level research and development testing.
• Ensure test assets are prepared to support testing, including checking that product hardware and software are properly configured, procedures are written, equipment is operational, and results are accurate.
• Debrief engineering and management team on progress of flight and ground tests.
• Assess system performance and provide detailed descriptions of anomalies to software and hardware teams.
• Must be able to prioritize and multi-task while supporting test activities on and off-site.
• Must be comfortable working extended and flexible hours, and supporting work travel and schedule shifts as required, in order to support testing when and where it is needed most.
• Will work with flight operations, engineering, and program management in support of flight test activities.
• May assist Project Engineers with scheduling and logistics of unmanned flight tests.
• Will work closely with internal customers during test plan development and test execution.
• Must maintain flexibility in order to support test activities on aircraft, which may be located at remote test facilities and subject to inconsistent time constraints.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution.
• Must be enthusiastic about working directly with company products and systems.
• Must be a self-starter, with the ability to understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment and organize work assignments to meet established timetables.
• Has demonstrated an ability to thrive in a dynamic work environment, with the capability to accommodate sudden shifts in test schedules and test requirements.
• Ability to analyze test data and communicate results using Excel, and other Microsoft Office Tools is required.
• Excellent communication skills are required, including the ability to document procedures and maintain technical records, capture system test requirements, record test failures, present technical information and report test results.
• Must have the ability and desire to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Must be able to work extended hours and travel as required (50-75%).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOD Security Clearance is required.

Desired Experiences/Skills

• Experience with and an understanding of programmable sensors.
• Hands-on experience with vibration, temperature, and pressure measurement techniques is a plus.
• Comfortable discussing data processing techniques such as windowing, filtering, aliasing, and Fourier transform methods.
• Experience with a variety of data acquisition systems is a plus.
• Experience with IE languages such as MATLAB or Python, and experience with writing and debugging scripts.
• Basic understanding of digital communication systems, analog to digital conversion and transmission methods.