Mechanical Test Engineer

Job Summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is a leader in remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars. They are seeking an entry-level Test Engineer to join their Mechanical Engineering Flight Test Team in Poway, CA. This role involves planning, executing, and reporting on system-level UAV flight test programs. The position requires a hands-on approach, working at various remote locations across the US, and troubleshooting complex systems.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Aid in the development of flight-hardened instrumentation systems tailored to flight test needs.
• Bench test complex instrumentation systems and networks to validate test methods and accuracy.
• Install measurement sensors and data acquisition systems on the aircraft for flight testing.
• Learn new concepts quickly to troubleshoot electromechanical systems and data acquisition systems.
• Develop test procedures, maintain detailed technical specifications, and document test activities and results.
• Provide ongoing technical support and monitor the flight test instrumentation system.
• Perform modal and ground vibration tests of components both on and off the aircraft.
• Determine, communicate, and document flight and ground test objectives and develop test systems accordingly.
• Work closely with other test engineers and technicians to complete research and development testing.
• Ensure test assets are prepared for testing, including proper configuration of hardware and software, writing procedures, ensuring equipment is operational, and verifying accurate results.
• Debrief engineering and management teams on progress of flight and ground tests.
• Assess system performance and provide detailed descriptions of anomalies to software and hardware teams.
• Prioritize and multitask while supporting test activities on and off-site.
• 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.
• Work closely with internal customers during test plan development and test execution.
• Maintain flexibility 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 or master's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and two or more years of engineering experience with a bachelor's degree.
• May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• Experience with and 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 like MATLAB or Python, and experience with writing and debugging scripts.
• Basic understanding of digital communication systems, analog to digital conversion, and transmission methods.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOD Security Clearance is required.