Staff Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer

$142,000 - $185,000/Yr

Aduril Industries - Costa Mesa, CA

Full-time - Mid Level

Costa Mesa, CA

About the position

As a Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer at Anduril Industries, you will be responsible for implementing advanced instrumentation, telemetry, and data management systems for flight testing Group 5 unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). This role involves collaborating with various engineering teams to ensure the safety and efficiency of flight tests, diagnosing technical issues, and designing analytics-driven products that enhance user experience. You will work in a high-stakes environment, leveraging your expertise to drive innovation in defense technology.

Responsibilities

• Conduct requirements decomposition using digital tools to select and install necessary flight test instrumentation, effectively communicating insights to stakeholders.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with UAS discipline engineers, the Customer, Airworthiness experts, and program managers to inform safety of test and flight.
• Spearhead technical investigations to diagnose instrumentation and RF telemetry issues, providing leadership in data interpretation and solution formulation.
• Design and implement analytics-driven products that showcase system performance metrics and enhance user understanding of Group 5 UAS platforms.
• Design, fabricate, and install flight test instrumentation sensors and data paths into experimental aircraft, including wire harness fabrication.
• Perform test instrument calibrations and pre-flight checks as an approving signatory for flight test decisions.
• Operate and maintain a telemetry auto-tracking Ground System using COTS software and hardware.
• Travel to establish FTI and RF telemetry solutions in various locations up to 50% of the time.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience in Radar Systems or Data Science.
• 5+ years of experience with embedded data acquisition systems in manned or unmanned aircraft.
• Exceptional data visualization skills with proficiency in analytical tools (e.g., MATLAB, LabVIEW, Simulink).
• Demonstrated expertise in implementing high channel count mechanical measurement systems and architecting RF telemetry.
• Proven track record of implementing and troubleshooting grounding, bonding, and shielding solutions for instrumentation signals in RF environments.
• Experience with composite and exotic material installations across varying flight test environments.
• Strong commitment to applying data science to solve real-world problems with actionable recommendations.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to work extended hours and travel as required for test planning and execution.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. Top Secret-Level security clearance.

Nice-to-haves

• Master of Science or B.S. plus 10 years experience with flight test instrumentation on Group 5 UAS.
• 5+ years experience setting up and administering high channel-count RF telemetry systems with IADS.
• Knowledge of best practices for implementing RF ground planes and architecting RF telemetry systems.
• Leadership experience to mentor less experienced engineers and lead project teams.
• Experience with 'Data-at-rest' multi-domain, encrypted storage devices on aircraft.

Benefits

• Platinum Healthcare Benefits (100% covered for employees, 90% for dependents).
• Basic Life/AD&D and long-term disability insurance (100% covered).
• Generous company holiday calendar and competitive PTO plans.
• 16 weeks of paid Caregiver & Wellness Leave.
• Family Planning & Parenting Support including fertility and adoption coverage.
• Free mental health resources 24/7.
• Professional development stipend available to all employees.
• Daily meals and provisions in many offices.
• Company-funded commuter benefits based on region.
• Relocation assistance (depending on role eligibility).
• 401(k) retirement savings plan (traditional and Roth).