System Test Engineer III

AeroVironment•Moorpark, CA

5d•$100,500 - $171,000

About The Position

The System Test Engineer develops and executes system test plans for small unmanned air vehicles, missiles, and associated subsystems. Testing includes simulator, ground, and flight tests, along with 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 position works under moderate supervision, receiving general instructions for routine work and more detailed instructions for new projects. It handles problems of moderate scope, applies defined procedures and company policies, and contributes to project cost and schedule objectives while completing multiple tasks within schedule and budget. The role requires 10–30% travel within the Continental U.S. and access to ITAR- and/or EAR-controlled information, subject to applicable eligibility requirements. The work involves office and manufacturing environments as well as frequent outdoor testing in varying terrain and extreme temperatures. AV describes itself as an autonomous systems company focused on defense technology and mission-oriented work.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related discipline (Software, Systems, Electrical, Mechanical, or Aerospace), or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
2–5 years of experience in a related industry or on projects that include conducting system or flight tests.
Ability to travel 10–30% within the Continental U.S.
Ability to meet the stated physical demands, including outdoor work in extreme weather, traversing uneven terrain, lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, setting up test-site equipment, assembling and disassembling products, throwing objects up to 16 pounds over the shoulder, and maintaining visual line of sight of unmanned air vehicles up to 1 kilometer away.
Must qualify as a U.S. person under ITAR/EAR or be eligible for an export license; some positions may require current U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

Experience with scripting and programming languages to automate testing.
Experience as a pilot or aircrew member.
A relevant master's or Ph.D. degree in a related discipline.
Ability to work with product development engineers to derive test requirements from product specifications and modifications.
Willingness to learn wind tunnel test techniques and measurement systems.
Effectiveness communicating technically with test instrumentation and data acquisition experts.
Skill in 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.
Ability to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment where small teams share varied duties.
Strong initiative, ownership, and responsibility for work products, with a commitment to learning from mistakes and improving performance.
Effective problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills.
Teamwork, collaboration, and ability to work well across disciplines.

Responsibilities

Support developmental test and evaluation of subsystem, model-scale, and full-scale systems, and assist the Flight Test Director during flight tests.
Determine and communicate subsystem, system, and flight test objectives, and develop test cards to verify those objectives.
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 with tools such as MATLAB or Excel.
Capture test activities, complete test data sheets, transfer telemetry files to the network, enter failures or anomalies into an issue-tracking database, and summarize activities and results in reports.
Determine regression test requirements for subsystem modifications and develop ad hoc tests to troubleshoot failures.
Estimate the time required for testing and complete assigned tasks within the project schedule.
Work with outside test labs and assist technicians during testing when required.
Perform other duties as assigned.