Engineer III

General Atomics; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 81,000 - 142,000; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) seeks a Flight Test Engineer to join the Flight Operations Team in Palmdale, CA. The role focuses on coordinating developmental flight tests, reviewing test plans, and supporting safety analyses with engineers and pilots.

You will chair Safety Review Board activities, prepare test documentation, and contribute to risk mitigation while ensuring adherence to test procedures in a dynamic environment. A strong engineering background is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (or higher) in engineering or related discipline; 4+ years with bachelor's or 2+ with master's.
• Flight Test Engineer or Test Director on fixed-wing aircraft; UAV test experience preferred.
• Experience with creation, writing, review and execution of detailed test plans, test reports, analysis of flight test data and failure analysis reports.

Responsibilities

• Provides centralized coordination and communication with flight test team members and subject matter expert design engineers in preparation for flight test.
• Conducts technical reviews of flight test plans for sound test techniques, and provides safety analysis of risks, hazards, and mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate and reviews test points and run cards with senior level aircrew for the safe execution of flight test maneuvers, with emphasis on performance and flying qualities of stability control systems and autopilot systems.
• Represents Flight Operations on various boards to include software design and changes, levels of test readiness and certification boards.
• Author, compile technical documents and memorandums, and provide counsel on safety aspects of flight test risks and mitigations.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Self-directed

DoD security clearance eligible

Pilot license desirable

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical discipline

Master's degree or PhD in engineering (preferred)

Job description

52789BR

Company:

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems

Job Summary:

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 opportunity for an experienced 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 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 Test & Qualification Engineers, this person shall independently perform technical reviews and safety analysis on test plans, flight test run cards and first article design packages. The role facilitates the Technical and Safety Review test process for the Vice President of Flight Operations and reports to Technical Operations. This person shall chair 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. Other duties include participation on Software Design Review Boards, Test Readiness Review Boards, and Test Director Certification Board.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides centralized coordination and communication with flight test team members and subject matter expert design engineers in preparation for flight test.
• Conducts technical reviews of flight test plans for sound test techniques, and provides safety analysis of risks, hazards, and mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate and reviews test points and run cards with senior level aircrew for the safe execution of flight test maneuvers, with special emphasis on performance and flying qualities of stability control systems and autopilot systems.
• 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, certification board for test directors, both basic and performance and flying qualities, program introductions and readiness reviews.
• Author, compile technical documents and memorandums, and provide verbal counsel to the Vice President of Flight Operations advising on safety aspects of flight test risks and mitigations.
• Complete appropriate and relative company training courses for flight operations and test director to gain appropriate system knowledge required to fulfil primary duties.
• 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.
• 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.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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

Job ID#:

52789BR

Job Category:

Engineering

Travel Percentage Required:

0% - 25%

Full-Time/Part-Time:

Full-Time Salary

State:

California

Clearance Level:

Secret

Pay Range Low:

81,080

City:

Palmdale

Clearance Required?:

Desired

Pay Range High:

141,650

Recruitment Posting Title:

Flight Test Engineer

Job Qualifications:

• Typically requires a bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; four or more years of experience with a bachelors degree or two or more years of experience with a masters degree. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• Experience working as a Flight Test Engineer or Test Director on fixed wing aircraft. Desired experience to include 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 detailed 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; strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills to effectively interface with other test team members.
• Demonstrates a detailed and extensive technical expertise and 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 on a self- initiated basis or in a team environment and able to work extended hours and travel as required.
• Must be self-directed and operate with minimal to no supervision.
• Must possess good verbal and written communication skills in the English language.
• Possession of a Private Pilot license is highly desirable.
• Ability to obtain a DoD Security Clearance is required.

US Citizenship Required?:

Yes

Experience Level:

Mid-Level (3-7 years)

Relocation Assistance Provided?:

Yes

Workstyle:

Onsite

General Atomics is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, transitioning status, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, medical condition, mental disability, physical disability, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. In accordance with applicable federal law, General Atomics takes affirmative action to employ and advance the employment of qualified protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. We also prohibit compensation discrimination under all applicable laws. U.S. Citizenship is required for certain positions. To learn more, please review the EEOC’s "Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal" poster.