Flight Test Engineer

Job Summary General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars, as well as advanced high-resolution surveillance systems.

We have an exciting opportunity for an entry level Test Engineer to join the Mechanical Engineering Flight Test Team, in Poway, CA. The successful candidate will contribute to the development and execution of system level UAV flight test programs across the entire company product line. The hands-on nature of flight testing will require the test engineer to support activities at remote locations throughout the continental US, where company products are located and where flexible work schedules are often required. In addition, a high level of technical aptitude will be required in order to troubleshoot complex test systems on the fly. This is a highly cross-functional role, with expectations to build and maintain positive working relationships at all levels of the organization.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Aid in developing flight-hardened instrumentation systems tailored to the flight test program.
• Conduct bench tests of complex instrumentation systems and networks to validate methods and accuracy.
• Install measurement sensors and data acquisition systems on aircraft for flight testing.
• · Quickly learn new concepts to troubleshoot electromechanical and data acquisition systems in real time.
• Develop and document test procedures, technical specifications, and test activities/results.
• Provide technical support, health monitoring, and system documentation throughout testing.
• Perform Modal and Ground Vibration Tests of components on and off the aircraft.
• Define, communicate, and document flight and ground test objectives, and design appropriate systems.
• Collaborate with test engineers and technicians for research and development testing.
• Ensure readiness of test assets, including hardware/software configuration, procedures, and equipment.
• Report progress, assess system performance, and provide detailed anomaly descriptions to software/hardware teams.
• Prioritize, multitask, and adapt to support on-site/off-site test activities.
• Be flexible with extended hours, travel, and schedule shifts to support testing needs.
• Collaborate with flight operations, engineering, and program management for flight test activities.
• Assist Project Engineers with scheduling and logistics of unmanned flight tests, if necessary.
• Collaborate with internal customers on test plan development and execution.
• Maintain flexibility for remote aircraft testing under varying time constraints.

• Typically requires a bachelors degree in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• 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.
• A strong desire to support hands-on test activities at remote locations is required.
• 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 travel as required.

• 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, C or Python, and experience with writing and debugging scripts.
• Some experience with FPGA design, and/or programming tools such as LabVIEW.
• Basic understanding of digital communication systems, analog to digital conversion and transmission methods.
• Ability to obtain and maintain DOD Security Clearance is required.