Environmental System Test Engineer II

AeroVironment•Princeton, CA

About The Position

The Environmental System Test Engineer II develops and executes system test plans for small unmanned air vehicles, missiles, and associated subsystems. Testing includes simulator, ground, and flight tests, as well as logging and analyzing data and documenting results. The role supports environmental test and evaluation across subsystem, model-scale, and full-scale testing, and works with product development engineers and outside test labs as needed. The position receives general instructions for routine work and more detailed instructions for new projects. It handles problems of moderate scope under moderate supervision, applies defined procedures and company policies, and typically performs multiple tasks on a project while contributing to cost and schedule objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related discipline such as Software, Systems, Electrical, Mechanical, or Aerospace Engineering, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
2–5 years of experience in a related industry or projects that include conducting environmental or system tests.
Ability to travel 10–30% within the continental United States.
Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment.
Ability to work outdoors frequently in extreme hot and cold weather conditions, and occasionally at night.
Ability to traverse uneven ground and varying terrain.
Ability to sit and stand for long periods, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard.
Ability to lift, carry, or move objects of varying sizes and shapes up to 50 pounds and to carry and set up equipment at test sites.
Good manual dexterity to assemble and disassemble products.
Applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under ITAR/EAR requirements or be a person who can be approved for an export license. Some positions may require current U.S. citizenship due to contract requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience with scripting and programming languages to automate testing.
A relevant master's or doctoral degree.
Willingness to learn and expand technical understanding of wind-tunnel test techniques and measurement systems.
Effectiveness in technical communication with experts in test instrumentation and data acquisition.
Skill in documenting test plans, procedures, and reports; capturing system test requirements; recording test failures; and reporting test results.
Ability to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment where small teams share a broad variety of duties.
Strong initiative, ownership, and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives.
Commitment to learning from mistakes and improving individual, team, and company performance.
Effective problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills.
Teamwork and collaboration, including working effectively across disciplines.

Responsibilities

Support environmental testing and evaluation of subsystem, model-scale, and full-scale systems.
Determine and communicate subsystem, system, and environmental test objectives.
Develop test cards to verify that test objectives are met.
Review system requirement documents to help ensure requirements are concise and testable.
Participate in test and environmental readiness reviews, test briefs, and post-test debriefings.
Prepare test assets for testing, including configuring product hardware and software, developing test cards and procedures, and maintaining test equipment.
Process and analyze test data to determine results, including large datasets using MATLAB or Excel.
Capture test activities, complete test data sheets, and transfer telemetry files to the network.
Enter test failures or anomalies into an issue-tracking database.
Summarize test activities and results in reports.
Determine regression test requirements based on subsystem modifications.
Develop ad hoc tests to troubleshoot test failures.
Estimate the time required for testing and complete assigned tasks within the project schedule.
Work with outside test labs and assist during testing when required.
Work with product development engineers to derive environmental test requirements from product specifications and modifications.
Verbally direct UAV operators and observers during flight tests.
Perform other duties as assigned.