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Flight Test Engineer

Position:                      Test Engineer

Reports To:                 Experimental Manager (or VP of Engineering)

Status:                         Exempt

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES 

This individual will work in the Experimental Engineering department and will be responsible for conducting R&D and certification ground/flight tests. The candidate will be responsible for test preparation, planning instrumentation and strain gauges, instrumentation and equipment calibration, programming data acquisition software, data reduction, and test reporting.  He/she will assist in test conformities and TIA preparation, participate in FAA certification projects, support safety of flight briefings, and assist other Engineering Groups on an “as needed/as available” basis depending upon his/her other skills and abilities.

 

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

This individual will be responsible for R&D and certification ground/flight tests, including:

  • Reviewing proposed projects and developing compliance and test matrices
  • Planning, writing, and/or reviewing test plans and reports
  • Programming data acquisition software
  • Data reduction
  • Planning instrumentation and strain gauges
  • Instrumentation and equipment calibration
  • Designing test facilities and/or acting as a liaison to outside sources providing test facilities
  • Conducting weight and balance and maintaining records
  • Conducting ground/flight tests, including pilot coordination and pre/post flight briefings as required
  • Coordination and preparation of test conformities and TIA activities
  • Coordinating test activities with certification agencies (FAA, etc.)
  • Preparing Type Inspection Reports

 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

  • Minimum of a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering, or related field
  • An understanding of aircraft structure and systems, rotorcraft dynamics, aerodynamics, and powerplant
  • An understanding of and ability to write test practices and procedures
  • Experience with strain gauges, instrumentation, and wiring
  • Advanced understanding of data acquisition software (LabView is highly desirable)
  • At least 7 years work experience.
  • Advanced computer skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project)
  • Superior problem solving skills
  • Superior communication skills (verbal and written)
  • An ability to work multiple projects and multi-task
  • Proven organizational skills
  • An ability to work with people
  • An understanding of FAA rules, regulations, and certification processes
  • Flight Analyst and Flight Test Pilot
  • Basic design skills (SolidWorks, CADKey)

The following are desirable, but not required:

  • FAA Designated Engineering Representative (DER),