Flight Test Engineer

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 a Flight Test Engineer to join our Flight Operations Team in Palmdale, California.

Located at our Flight Operation Facility in Palmdale, CA, this Flight Test Engineer position working under general supervision and mentorship, specializes in Flight Test Coordination of Developmental Test and Evaluation of emerging airframe, software, hardware, and payload capabilities. Working directly with a broad spectrum of System Design Engineers, Test & Evaluation pilots, and System Development & Test Engineers, this person shall perform technical reviews and safety analysis on test plans, flight test run cards and first article design packages. As a member of the team that manages the Technical and Safety Review test process for the Vice President of Flight Operations, this person shall participate in the Developmental Test Safety Review Board to ensure risks and hazards are properly mitigated and monitor flight test results to ensure adherence to test plans and sound test methodology in a highly dynamic environment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Complete appropriate and relative company training courses for flight operations and test director to gain appropriate system knowledge required to fulfil primary duties.
• Conducts technical reviews of flight test plans for sound test techniques, and provides safety analysis of risks, hazards, and mitigation strategies with internal team members.
• Coordinate and reviews test points and run cards with senior level aircrew for the safe execution of flight test maneuvers, with special emphasis on aerodynamic performance and flying qualities of stability control systems and autopilot systems.
• Author, compile technical documents and memorandums, and provide verbal counsel to more senior staff advising on safety aspects of flight test risks and mitigations.
• Provides centralized coordination and communication with flight test team members and subject matter expert design engineers in preparation for flight test.
• Represents Flight Operations on various boards to include software design and changes, levels of test readiness such as preliminary design, final design, ground test and flight test, program introduction and program readiness reviews.
• Perform the duties of Test Director for a multi-disciplinary test team when required.
• Represents Flight Operations in a technical advisor capacity as needs dictate.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Maintains the strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Responsible for observing all laws, regulations, and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company.
• Expected to work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Qualifications

• 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.
• Learning and experience to include the understanding, test and evaluation of stability control systems, autopilots systems and performance and flying qualities. Unmanned Air Vehicle/System flight test experience preferred.
• Experience with creation, writing, review and execution of test plans, test reports, analysis of flight test data and failure analysis reports.
• Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment.
• Demonstrates technical competence in the application of engineering principles, concepts, theory, and practice with the ability to organize, plan, schedule, conduct, and coordinate workloads to meet established deadlines or milestones with some experience in project leadership.
• Must be customer focused and able to work both independently and in a team environment and able to work extended hours and travel as required.
• Must possess good verbal and written communication skills in the English language.
• Experience working around fixed wing aircraft preferred.
• Possession a Private Pilot license or flight training preferred.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance is required.