System Test Engineer III

AeroVironment, Inc.; California (MO); On-site; USD 101,000 - 153,000; Full time

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a System Test Engineer III to develop and execute System Test Plans for small unmanned air vehicles and missiles, covering simulator, ground and flight tests.

The role includes logging data, documenting test results, and coordinating with engineers and test labs to verify requirements. The ideal candidate has a related bachelor's degree with 5–8 years of flight test experience, strong documentation skills, and the ability to work across teams while traveling up to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Software, Systems, Electrical, Mechanical or Aerospace, or equivalent.
• 5–8 years of experience in system or flight test projects.
• Travel up to 30% within the Continental US.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute System Test Plans for small unmanned air vehicles and missiles.
• Assist Flight Test Director during flight tests and support developmental test activities.
• Review System Requirement documents to ensure conciseness and testability.
• Participate in test readiness reviews, test briefs, and post-test debriefs.
• Prepare test assets and configurations, write test cards and procedures, and maintain equipment.
• Analyze test data to determine results; use MATLAB or Excel for data analysis.
• Record test failures or anomalies in an issue-tracking system and communicate results.
• Estimate time required for testing and meet project schedules.
• Collaborate with outside test labs and product development engineers to derive test requirements.

Skills

Test planning & documentation

Flight test direction

Data analysis (MATLAB/Excel)

Scripting & automation for testing

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in related discipline

MS/PhD preferred

Tools

MATLAB

Excel

Job description

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

Summary

The System Test Engineer III develops and executes System Test Plans for small, unmanned air vehicles and missiles and their associated subsystems. Testing encompasses simulator, ground and flight tests and includes logging and analyzing data and documenting test results.

Position Responsibilities

• Support developmental test and evaluation of sub-system, model-scale, and full scale testing. Assist the Flight Test Director during flight tests
• Determine and communicate subsystem, system and flight test objectives. Develop test cards to verify that those objectives are met
• Review System Requirement documents to help ensure requirements are concise and testable
• Participate in test and flight readiness reviews, test briefs, and post-test debriefs
• Ensure test assets are prepared to support testing, including the proper configuration of product hardware and software, writing test cards and procedures, and maintaining test equipment
• Process and analyze test data to determine test results. Analyze large test data sets using software tools (MATLAB or Excel)
• Capture test activities, fill in test data sheets, and transfer telemetry files to the network. Enter test failures or anomalies in an issue tracking system database.
• Develop System Test Plans, for small unmanned air vehicles and missiles and their associated subsystems, execute simulator and flight tests, and document test results
• Responsible for estimating time required to conduct testing and completing assigned tasks within project schedule
• Work with outside test labs and assist technicians during testing when required
• Work with product development engineers to derive test requirements based on product specifications and modifications
• Demonstrates good judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action. Contributes to meeting project cost and schedule under little supervision
• Performs multiple tasks on more than one project. Completes tasks within schedule and budget
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor's degree in related discipline (Software, Systems, Electrical, Mechanical or Aerospace) is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Minimum of 5 - 8 years' experience in related industry or projects that include conducting system or flight tests
• Skilled at documenting test plans, procedures, and reports; verbally directing UAV Operators and Observers during flight tests; capturing system test requirements; recording test failures and reporting test results
• Position requires 10-30% travel within the Continental U.S.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• A relevant MS or PhD graduate in related discipline (Software, Systems, Electrical, Mechanical or Aerospace) is preferred
• Experience with scripting and programming languages to automate testing is preferred
• Experience as a pilot or aircrew member would be beneficial
• Willingness to learn and expand technical understanding of wind tunnel test techniques and measurement systems
• Is effective in conversing technically with experts in the fields of test instrumentation and data acquisition
• Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties
• Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives
• Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products
• Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company
• Has effective problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal and strong communication skills
• Focuses on teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above one's own interests
• Works well with others across disciplines

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment (Occasional)
• Able to frequently work outdoors in extreme weather conditions (hot and cold temperatures) and occasionally at night; Able to traverse across uneven ground and varying terrain (Frequent)
• Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)
• Able to lift, carry and/or move objects of varying sizes and shapes up to 50 lbs. (Frequent); Required to carry and set up equipment at test site locations (Frequent)
• Able to demonstrate good manual dexterity to assemble and disassemble product (Frequent)
• Able to repeatedly throw objects up to 16 lbs. over shoulder (Frequent)
• Able to maintain visual line of sight of unmanned air vehicles up to 1 kilometer away (Frequent)

Clearance Level

No Clearance

The salary range for this role is: $100,500 - $153,250

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, th