Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer

About the Role

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is seeking a Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer to join the Mechanical Engineering Flight Test Team in Poway, CA. This role involves independent planning, execution, and reporting on system-level UAV flight test programs. The position requires supporting activities at remote locations across the continental US, often requiring flexible work schedules and a high level of technical aptitude to troubleshoot complex test systems. This is a cross-functional role requiring strong working relationships across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Aid in the development of flight-hardened instrumentation systems tailored to flight test program needs.
• Bench test complex instrumentation systems and networks to validate test methods and accuracy.
• Install measurement sensors and data acquisition systems on aircraft for flight testing.
• Troubleshoot electromechanical systems and data acquisition systems.
• Develop test procedures, maintain technical specifications, and document test activities and results.
• Provide ongoing technical support and health monitoring of flight test instrumentation systems.
• Perform Modal and Ground Vibration Tests of components.
• Determine, communicate, and document flight and ground test objectives, and develop test systems accordingly.
• Collaborate with other test engineers and technicians on aircraft and component level research and development testing.
• Ensure test assets are prepared, including product hardware/software configuration, procedure readiness, equipment operation, and result accuracy.
• Debrief engineering and management teams on flight and ground test progress.
• Assess system performance and provide detailed anomaly descriptions to software and hardware teams.
• Prioritize and multi-task while supporting on-site and off-site test activities.
• Work extended and flexible hours, including travel and schedule shifts, as needed.
• Support flight operations, engineering, and program management for flight test activities.
• May assist Project Engineers with scheduling and logistics for unmanned flight tests.
• Work closely with internal customers during test plan development and execution.
• Maintain flexibility to support test activities at remote aircraft locations with inconsistent time constraints.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Excel
• Microsoft Office Tools
• MATLAB (desired)
• Python (desired)

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline, or equivalent engineering experience.
• Enthusiasm for working directly with company products and systems.
• Self-starter with the ability to quickly understand new concepts and apply them in an evolving environment.
• Ability to organize work assignments to meet established timetables.
• Strong desire to support hands-on test activities at remote locations.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a dynamic work environment and accommodate sudden shifts in test schedules and requirements.
• Ability to analyze test data and communicate results.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to document procedures, maintain technical records, capture system test requirements, record test failures, present technical information, and report test results.
• Ability and desire to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work extended hours and travel as required (50-75%).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOD Security Clearance.

Experience/Skills Desired

• Experience with and understanding of programmable sensors.
• Hands-on experience with vibration, temperature, and pressure measurement techniques.
• Comfortable discussing data processing techniques such as windowing, filtering, aliasing, and Fourier transform methods.
• Experience with a variety of data acquisition systems.
• Experience with 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.