Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer

Merlinlabs; North Kingstown (RI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Unlimited vacation

401k with match

Job summary

Merlin Labs in Rhode Island is seeking a Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer to design, integrate, and validate instrumentation for flight tests. You will develop architectures, support aircraft integration, and ensure high-quality data from installation through post-flight analysis.

Ideal candidates read electrical schematics, understand power distribution and signal conditioning, and operate in lab, hangar, and flight line environments.

Qualifications

• Experience with flight test instrumentation (FTI), data acquisition systems, and real-time telemetry.
• Hands-on experience with instrumentation sensors, including strain gauges, accelerometers, pressure transducers, thermocouples, and displacement sensors.
• Ability to read and develop electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and system architecture drawings.
• Strong understanding of electrical and electronic fundamentals, including power distribution, signal conditioning, and circuit analysis.
• Experience using electronic test and diagnostic equipment, such as oscilloscopes, signal generators, spectrum analyzers, and data acquisition tools.
• Ability to work in laboratory, hangar, and flight line environments.
• Ability to access instrumentation installed on aircraft, including climbing ladders, platforms, and confined spaces.

Responsibilities

• Design, integrate, and validate flight test instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
• Develop instrumentation architectures, system requirements, and sensor layouts to support flight and ground testing.
• Partner with engineering teams to integrate instrumentation into aircraft and support system verification.
• Execute pre-flight instrumentation checks, calibration, and FTI software configuration to ensure reliable data collection.
• Support technicians and mechanics during instrumentation installation, checkout, and troubleshooting.
• Maintain instrumentation configuration control, calibration records, and engineering documentation.
• Create wiring diagrams, installation drawings, test procedures, and configuration records.
• Troubleshoot instrumentation issues and improve system performance and data quality.
• Ensure compliance with engineering, safety, and airworthiness standards throughout flight test operations.

Skills

FTI experience

Data acquisition

Real-time telemetry

Strain gauges

Accelerometers

Pressure transducers

Thermocouples

Displacement sensors

Electrical schematics

Power distribution

Signal conditioning

Oscilloscopes

Signal generators

Spectrum analyzers

DAQ tools

Flight line work

Aircraft access

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Signal generators

Spectrum analyzers

DAQ tools

Job description

About Merlin

Merlin is a venture backed aerospace startup building a non-human pilot to enable both reduced crew and uncrewed flight. Backed by some of the world’s leading investors, Merlin is scaling alongside our customers to begin leveraging autonomy today to solve some of aviation’s biggest challenges.

As a Flight Test Instrumentation (FTI) Engineer, you will serve as a key technical contributor within FlightTest team, working closely with instrumentation technicians, flight test engineers (FTEs), Test Directors, test pilots, and various engineering groups, to plan, design, and execute complex flight test programs.

The company advances aviation by bringing in high-level automation that reduces pilot workload.

As a Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer, you'll develop and integrate the flight test instrumentation (FTI) systems that enable safe, efficient flight testing. You'll design data acquisition architectures, support aircraft integration, and ensure high-quality test data from installation through post-flight analysis.

Responsibilities

• Design, integrate, and validate flight test instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
• Develop instrumentation architectures, system requirements, and sensor layouts to support flight and ground testing.
• Partner with engineering teams to integrate instrumentation into aircraft and support system verification.
• Execute pre-flight instrumentation checks, calibration, and FTI software configuration to ensure reliable data collection.
• Support technicians and mechanics during instrumentation installation, checkout, and troubleshooting.
• Maintain instrumentation configuration control, calibration records, and engineering documentation.
• Create wiring diagrams, installation drawings, test procedures, and configuration records.
• Troubleshoot instrumentation issues and improve system performance and data quality.
• Ensure compliance with engineering, safety, and airworthiness standards throughout flight test operations.

Qualifications

• Experience with flight test instrumentation (FTI), data acquisition systems, and real-time telemetry.
• Hands‑on experience with instrumentation sensors, including strain gauges, accelerometers, pressure transducers, thermocouples, and displacement sensors.
• Ability to read and develop electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and system architecture drawings.
• Strong understanding of electrical and electronic fundamentals, including power distribution, signal conditioning, and circuit analysis.
• Experience using electronic test and diagnostic equipment, such as oscilloscopes, signal generators, spectrum analyzers, and data acquisition tools.
• Ability to work in laboratory, hangar, and flight line environments.
• Ability to access instrumentation installed on aircraft, including climbing ladders, platforms, and confined spaces.

Benefits

Merlin Labs offers an innovative, entrepreneurial, and team‑focused startup environment. We also offer a top‑notch benefits package (health, dental, life, unlimited vacation, and 401k with match) and work/life integration. Being part of the Merlin team allows you to become part of a small team that supports professional development while working together to achieve our mission.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Merlin Labs is an equal‑opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, military service or obligation, or disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All job offers are contingent upon the candidate passing background and reference checks.

Visa and Eligibility

At this time, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship or consider candidates who require visa transfers. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre‑employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to: [e-mail].

Merlin Labs does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates.