System Test Engineer I

AeroVironment•Princeton, CA

13h

About The Position

The System Test Engineer I develops and executes system test plans for small unmanned air vehicles, missiles, and their associated subsystems. Testing includes simulator, ground, and flight tests, as well as logging and analyzing data and documenting results. The role supports developmental test and evaluation of subsystem, model-scale, and full-scale systems, and assists the Flight Test Director during flight tests. The engineer receives detailed instructions and works under general supervision on problems of limited scope, typically performing a single task on one project. The position contributes to project cost and schedule and completes assigned work within schedule and budget. The role requires collaboration with product development engineers, UAV operators, observers, technicians, and outside test laboratories. It involves preparing test assets and equipment, developing test documentation, analyzing test data, recording anomalies, and summarizing results. The position requires 10–30% travel within the continental United States and work in office, manufacturing, outdoor, and test-site environments.

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.
Typically requires no prior professional experience in a related industry or in projects involving system or flight tests.
Ability to work with product development engineers to derive test requirements from product specifications and modifications.
Ability to effectively document test plans, procedures, and reports.
Ability to verbally direct UAV operators and observers during flight tests.
Ability to capture system test requirements, record test failures, and report test results.
Ability to travel 10–30% within the continental United States.
Ability to work outdoors in extreme hot and cold weather, occasionally at night, and traverse uneven ground and varying terrain.
Ability to sit and stand for long periods and use a computer and telephone keyboard.
Ability to lift, carry, or move objects up to 50 pounds and carry and set up equipment at test sites.
Good manual dexterity to assemble and disassemble products.
Ability to repeatedly throw objects weighing up to 16 pounds over the shoulder.
Ability to maintain visual line of sight of unmanned air vehicles up to 1 kilometer away.
Must qualify as a U.S. person under ITAR/EAR requirements or be eligible for an export license; some positions may require current U.S. citizenship due to contract requirements.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience with scripting and programming languages to automate testing.
Experience as a pilot or aircrew member.
Willingness to learn wind tunnel test techniques and measurement systems.
Ability to converse technically with experts in test instrumentation and data acquisition.
Ability to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment where small teams share varied duties.
Strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives.
Ownership and responsibility for current and past work products.
Commitment to learning from mistakes and improving individual, team, and company performance.
Effective problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills.
Focus on teamwork and collaboration, prioritizing team success.
Ability to work well with others across disciplines.

Responsibilities

Support developmental test and evaluation of subsystems, model-scale systems, and full-scale systems.
Assist the Flight Test Director during flight tests.
Help determine and communicate subsystem, system, and flight 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 flight readiness reviews, test briefs, and post-test debriefs.
Prepare test assets for testing, including configuring product hardware and software, writing test cards and procedures, and maintaining test equipment.
Process and analyze test data to determine results, including analyzing large data sets using MATLAB or Excel.
Capture test activities, complete test data sheets, and transfer telemetry files to the network.
Enter test failures or anomalies in an issue-tracking database.
Summarize test activities and results in reports.
Help determine regression test requirements based on subsystem modifications.
Learn to develop ad-hoc tests to troubleshoot test failures.
Estimate time required to conduct testing and complete assigned tasks within the project schedule.
Work with outside test laboratories and assist technicians during testing when required.
Work with product development engineers to derive test requirements based on product specifications and modifications.
Verbally direct UAV operators and observers during flight tests; capture system test requirements, record test failures, and report results.
Perform other duties as assigned.