Description:
• Reporting to the Manager of Test Support, the Principal Instrumentation Engineer plays a critical role in the definition, development, and oversight of instrumentation and data acquisition systems to support material, structural, mechanical/electrical, and flight testing.
• The Principal Instrumentation Engineer will ensure data credibility via instrumentation definition, acceptance procedures, data post-processing and analysis, calibration, and maintenance.
• The ideal candidate demonstrates leadership in communication, collaboration, and problem-solving.
• Develop, improve, and maintain processes for the installation and maintenance of instrumentation and data acquisition equipment
• Coordinate the installation of instrumentation and data acquisition equipment on test articles and flight test aircraft
• Develop and execute acceptance test procedures for installed instrumentation and data acquisition equipment
• Manage instrumentation and data acquisition system configuration during each test program
• Develop software and other tools necessary to enable real-time and post-flight data visualization
• Analyze test data collected to maintain and evolve instrumentation and data acquisition system functionality
• Plan and execute calibration and maintenance activities for all instrumentation and data acquisition equipment, ensuring calibration is maintained, parameter validity is known and tracked, and hardware/software is managed
• Work with Engineering and Test teams to define instrumentation and data acquisition systems to support testing of aircraft materials, structure, systems, simulation, and flight vehicles for development and certification
• Maintain close communication with Engineering and Test teams to ensure effective instrumentation definition, efficient test execution, and proper data capture
• Design and review instrumentation components and installation data
• Author instrumentation and data acquisition system description test plan content
• Advise and support instrumentation and data acquisition conducted by third parties
• Initiate and lead instrumentation and data acquisition troubleshooting and issue resolution activities
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior test engineers and technicians.
Requirements:
• BS. in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or equivalent
• 8 years of relevant industry experience (or 6 years with Master’s degree)
• Experience with test facility instrumentation and data acquisition and control systems
• Significant experience with data acquisition systems and sensors used for test (strain gauges, accelerometers, load cells, thermocouples, pressure transducers, RVDT, string pots, encoders, etc.), including installation
• Experience working with flight test organizations and aircraft certification
• Working knowledge of 14 CFR Part 23/25/27/29 certification requirements and processes
• Ability to monitor and understand analog and digital data acquisition systems used in the testing environment
• Fluent using LabVIEW for data collection, real time data analytics, and GUI development
• Familiarity with aerospace network protocols such as ARINC 429, ARINC 664, CANbus, etc.
• Familiarity with data transmission protocols for telemetry, line-of-sight and beyond
• Experience with digital signal processing and wireless data transmission
• Experience using MATLAB, Python, C++ or equivalent scripting language for data processing and in-house tool development
• Experience with sensor installations and cable management
• High-level knowledge of EWIS and EMI
• Experience testing aircraft composite structures as well as aircraft mechanical and electrical systems
• Ability and willingness to work with instrumentation technicians on harness and interface development and fly aboard experimental aircraft in support of developmental and certification flight tests
• Ability and willingness to work flexible and off-shift hours (including 1st, 2nd, 3rd shift, nights, weekends, and holidays) when business needs dictate
• Ability and willingness to travel to and support operations at offsite locations when business needs dictate.
Benefits:
• Otto Aviation provides a robust benefits package that includes competitive salaries
• subsidized medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) opportunities
• paid short term disability
• voluntary long-term disability and additional term life
• 15 paid days off
• 15 paid holidays
• paid sick leave
• Depending on seniority and role, some roles qualify for potential bonuses and stock options.
