Engineering Flight Test Specialist II

AeroVironment•Melbourne, FL

5d•$21 - $32

About The Position

The Engineering Flight Test Specialist II acts as remote pilot in command of unmanned aircraft systems or vehicles for flight testing, acceptance testing, training, and internal and external demonstrations. The role leads flight factory and site acceptance testing, supports payload integrations, maintains equipment and operational systems, and completes field-operation and post-flight documentation. It requires sound judgment, independent work, problem-solving, and adherence to safety and risk-mitigation procedures. Travel, including domestic and international deployments, may reach 50%.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent; a bachelor's degree is preferred, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
2–4 years of relevant experience.
Experience working with manufacturing systems, processes, and procedures.
Advanced computer operation skills, including IP protocol.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Access, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Experience controlling systems such as RC aircraft, requiring quick thinking and reactions, awareness of subsystem failure symptoms, and appropriate emergency responses.
Understanding of basic flight planning within FAA/ICAO regulations.
Clean DMV record to drive company and rental vehicles.
Ability to work with little or no supervision and exercise independent judgment regularly.
Ability to travel within the Continental U.S. and overseas in support of flight testing.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including ability to work well across disciplines.
Commitment to learning from mistakes and improving personal, team, and company performance.
Initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives.
Pass the FAA Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft exam and maintain the required FAA Part 107 certificate.
Pass an Annual Proficiency And Readiness Test (APART).
U.S. citizenship is required; must be capable of obtaining a U.S. passport.
Must pass and maintain medical and dental exams for deployments.
Must be available for short (14–60 days) and long-term (90+ days) deployments away from home, CONUS and OCONUS, with up to 50% travel.
Expect to work alone for long irregular hours, weekends, and holidays, including in difficult situations and environments.
Ability to lift and/or move cases weighing 11–100 lbs. frequently; lift up to 55 pounds occasionally; and perform the listed physical tasks.
Ability to work outdoors in extreme weather and traverse uneven ground and varying terrain.
Ability to stand and/or sit for long periods, balance, handle and manipulate objects, grasp, throw objects up to 25 lbs. over the shoulder, assemble and disassemble products, and climb, crouch, stoop, kneel, and lift overhead.

Nice To Haves

Prior hobby experience with remote-controlled (RC) aircraft.
Prior military and/or aviation experience.
Solid understanding of military tactics and operations, GPS, and navigation using maps and a compass.
Ability to interpret instructions provided in written, oral, diagram, or sketch form.
Teamwork and collaboration, putting team success above personal interests.
Ability to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment where small teams share a broad variety of duties.

Responsibilities

Prepare detailed post-flight test reports and follow and ensure adherence to safety protocols.
Provide feedback to department personnel on observed aircraft performance.
Perform flight demonstrations, including managing equipment, planning, and travel.
Lead Flight Factory Acceptance and Site Acceptance Testing events.
Manage flight team inventory and ensure equipment is in good working order.
Check flight-test-owned equipment in and out.
Analyze and solve problems that develop during flight testing.
Troubleshoot off-the-shelf vendor payload integrations and write post-test procedures.
Complete assigned Jira tasks within their timelines.
Capture critical information for after-action reports and lessons-learned databases.
Complete documentation for field operations, equipment status, data collection, and post-flight procedures.
Re-evaluate risk assessments and take appropriate actions to mitigate elevated risks.
Maintain awareness of the air vehicle's location and in-flight status, and of threats from the air and ground.
Maintain the operational status of UAS and supporting systems.
Occasionally instruct users in Unmanned Air Systems (UAS).
Participate in the AeroVironment Master Trainer Training Program (MTTP) in accordance with the Master Trainer Training Manual (MTTM).
Travel domestically and internationally in support of flight testing, with travel up to 50%.
Perform other duties as assigned.