Experimental Flight Test Engineer

Robinson Helicopter Company; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equal Opportunity Employer

Job summary

Robinson Helicopter Company is seeking an Experimental Flight Test Engineer to contribute to the development and certification of its civil rotorcraft. You will join a small, nimble team that plans, executes, analyzes, and reports ground and flight tests of experimental rotorcraft and systems.

You will collaborate with engineering to translate requirements into safe, effective test plans, lead test activities, and support certification with rigorous data analysis and documentation.

Qualifications

• Four-year Bachelor of Science in Engineering or a related technical field from an accredited academic institution.
• Demonstrated experience as an experimental flight test engineer.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work irregular hours and travel to offsite locations when needed.

Responsibilities

• Formulate experimental flight test requirements.
• Manage and conduct varying complex flight test projects for rotorcraft including writing test plans, test cards, and flight test reports.
• Participate as a test crew member or test conductor in development and research flight tests of experimental rotorcraft.
• Conduct flight test mission briefs and debriefs.
• Develop and monitor test schedules with project engineers and managers.
• Interface with regulator flight test personnel to conduct certification-related testing.

Skills

Risk management

Project management

Verbal and written communication

Team collaboration

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

MS degree in engineering (desired)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Engineering software tools

Job description

Robinson Helicopter Company is a leading manufacturer of civil rotorcraft with a 50-year history of providing affordable helicopters for a wide range of applications. Robinson is an engineering focused organization that provides challenging and exciting opportunities to contribute to the future of vertical flight.

As an Experimental Flight Test Engineer at Robinson Helicopter, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the development and certification of the most widely used civil helicopters in the world. The Experimental Flight Test Engineer is part of a small and nimble test team that plans, executes, analyzes, and reports on ground and flight test of experimental rotorcraft and/or systems. The Experimental FTE works closely with other engineering members to convert their requirements into safe and efficient test plans and procedures. You will be challenged with bringing unique and complex aircraft from development through certification.

Responsibilities

• Formulate experimental flight test requirements.
• Manage and conduct varying complex flight test projects for rotorcraft including writing test plans, test cards, and flight test reports.
• Participate as a test crew member or a test conductor in development and research flight tests of experimental rotorcraft.
• Conduct flight test mission briefs and debriefs.
• Provide detailed requirements and/or assist in developing specialized flight test instrumentation required to achieve test objectives and goals.
• Conduct analysis of flight test data to prepare reports and technical publications.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to develop test strategies, determine test configurations, plan, and execute test programs in a safe, effective, and efficient manner.
• Comply with department processes and standard operating procedures to ensure flight testing is accomplished with high levels of safety, effectiveness, consistency, and efficiency.
• Contribute insights and innovations to improve the product and organization.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary design reviews and assist with resolving cross-functional technical issues.
• Document and control test articles configuration.
• Develop and monitor test schedules with project engineers and managers.
• Lead and/or participate in flight test safety programs to ensure testing hazards are mitigated to reduce risk and to promote safe execution of tests. This includes participation in flight test plan reviews, safety review boards, test readiness reviews, and pre and post flight briefings.
• Interface with regulator (FAA, EASA, TCCA, etc.) flight test personnel to conduct flight test aspects of aircraft certification.
• Maintain required records and conduct audits to verify compliance with processes and procedures.

Required Qualifications

• Four-year Bachelor of Science in Engineering or a related technical field from an accredited academic institution.
• 5+ years' experience as an experimental flight test engineer.
• Experience managing risk and safety in the experimental flight test environment.
• Excellent academic record.
• Demonstrated strong and effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Team-oriented, possess a positive attitude, and work well with others.
• Ability and willingness to work irregular hours and workdays, and travel to and support operations at offsite locations when needed.
• Proven self-starter requiring minimal supervision, with strong project management, organization, and risk management skills.
• Thorough understanding of technical theories, concepts and practices in the fields of experimental flight testing, rotorcraft aerodynamics, performance and flying qualities.
• Working knowledge of aircraft systems and avionics flight testing methods and of the applicable requirements in 14 CFR.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products and engineering software tools.

Desired Qualifications

• Graduate of a recognized flight test school or possess substantial experience in development and certification flight test programs.
• Experience as an experimental rotary wing flight test engineer.
• 10 years' experience as a flight test engineer.
• Significant experience in defining, designing and installing specialized flight test instrumentation in experimental aircraft.
• DER and/or ODA experience.
• Master of Science degree in engineering or a related technical field from an accredited academic institution.
• FAA Helicopter pilot certificate and experience.
• Experience managing Risk and Safety in the flight test environment.

Robinson Helicopter Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.