Flight Test Instrumentation Systems Lead
$171,200–$234,300 year
On-siteMarina, California, United States
Job Summary
Lead a multidisciplinary team of engineers and technicians responsible for the design, integration, operation, and maintenance of flight test instrumentation, telemetry, and ground control stations across the fleet. Establish team priorities, workflows, and staffing plans aligned with developmental and certification programs while fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and technical excellence. Own the architecture and oversee data acquisition systems, sensors, signal conditioning, and onboard recording to ensure readiness, calibration, and reliability for all operations. Plan and manage FTI schedules, budgets, and resource allocation, driving coordination across engineering, maintenance, systems engineering, and the program office to develop processes for design, configuration control, and compliance with FAA/EASA standards. Provide technical oversight for troubleshooting, anomaly resolution, and root cause investigations to support the final stages of aircraft certification.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
- 10+ years of experience in flight test instrumentation, data acquisition, or related domains
- Proven experience leading and developing technical teams in a flight test environment
- Deep expertise in one or more of the following: Flight Test Instrumentation systems design and integration
- Deep expertise in one or more of the following: Data acquisition hardware, telemetry systems, and sensor integration
- Deep expertise in one or more of the following: Instrumentation installation, calibration, and maintenance
- Strong understanding of: Flight test processes and aircraft integration
- Strong understanding of: Configuration management and documentation practices
- Strong understanding of: Data quality, validation, and traceability in test environments
- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, rapidly changing flight test environment
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with LabVIEW or similar DAQ/software tools
- Experience supporting FAA Part 23/25/27/29 or EASA certification programs
- Knowledge of air data systems and calibration methods
- Familiarity with aircraft wiring, avionics integration, and structural instrumentation (strain, pressure, vibration)
- Experience with Ground Control Stations and telemetry infrastructure
- Demonstrated success scaling teams and processes during rapid program growth
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