Job Title: Flight Systems Calibration Engineer
Job Summary:
The Flight Systems Calibration Engineer Manager is responsible for overseeing the calibration, testing, validation, and optimization of flight systems in aerospace applications, including avionics, flight control systems, navigation systems, and related components. This leadership role involves managing a team of engineers and technicians, ensuring the performance and compliance of all flight systems with operational, safety, and regulatory standards (e.g., FAA, EASA). The manager will coordinate projects, ensure timely system calibration and certification, drive continuous improvement, and provide strategic leadership to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of flight systems calibration processes across the organization.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership and Team Management:
- Lead and manage a team of flight systems calibration engineers and technicians, ensuring high-quality execution of calibration, testing, and validation activities.
- Set clear performance expectations, provide guidance and mentoring, and conduct regular performance reviews for team members.
- Foster a collaborative and innovative team environment, promoting continuous learning and development of technical expertise.
- Allocate resources effectively to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and in line with company and regulatory standards.
Flight Systems Calibration and Optimization:
- Oversee the calibration of complex flight systems, including avionics, flight control systems, navigation, and communication systems, ensuring all systems meet performance requirements and regulatory standards.
- Implement process improvements to optimize the calibration, testing, and validation procedures, improving accuracy, reducing downtime, and increasing efficiency.
- Ensure that all calibration procedures and system adjustments are aligned with safety protocols, operational requirements, and certification standards.
Project Management and Strategic Planning:
- Lead and manage flight system calibration projects from initiation to completion, ensuring successful project execution.
- Collaborate with senior management to develop strategic plans for integrating new technologies and improving flight systems calibration processes.
- Monitor project timelines, track progress, and ensure that all objectives are achieved while maintaining budget and resource control.
Testing, Validation, and Certification:
- Oversee the execution of flight systems testing and validation activities to ensure compliance with industry regulations (e.g., FAA, EASA) and customer requirements.
- Ensure that all calibration and validation procedures are thoroughly documented and meet the necessary certification and regulatory standards.
- Lead the creation and execution of test plans, and ensure that flight systems perform accurately and reliably before deployment.
Troubleshooting and Complex Issue Resolution:
- Lead the troubleshooting and resolution of complex issues related to flight systems calibration, ensuring that systems meet required specifications.
- Provide guidance to the team on diagnosing technical problems and implementing effective solutions in flight systems and avionics.
- Work closely with engineers from other disciplines (e.g., systems engineering, software) to resolve cross-functional issues that affect calibration or system performance.
Continuous Improvement and Innovation:
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the calibration team by identifying opportunities for optimization and implementing advanced calibration technologies and tools.
- Encourage innovation within the team, integrating new methodologies, technologies, and best practices to improve system performance and efficiency.
- Evaluate emerging technologies in avionics and flight control systems and recommend new tools or processes for implementation.
Documentation and Compliance:
- Ensure that all calibration, testing, maintenance, and troubleshooting activities are well-documented and compliant with internal procedures and industry regulations.
- Prepare comprehensive reports and technical documentation for management, clients, and regulatory bodies.
- Maintain a repository of system calibration records, ensuring that all data is accurately stored and readily accessible for audits and certifications.
Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams:
- Collaborate with engineering teams, quality assurance, project management, and other departments to ensure that flight systems meet operational goals, safety standards, and regulatory requirements.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for flight systems calibration and work closely with other teams to integrate new technologies and meet project milestones.
- Provide expert technical advice and support to other departments, such as production, testing, and operations.
Regulatory Compliance and Safety Assurance:
- Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory standards (e.g., FAA, EASA) and safety guidelines throughout all calibration activities and system operations.
- Manage the certification process for flight systems and ensure that all systems pass regulatory inspections and audits.
- Conduct safety audits to assess flight systems performance, identify risks, and ensure corrective actions are implemented where necessary.
Budget and Resource Management:
- Develop and manage budgets for flight systems calibration projects, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and control of expenditures.
- Optimize the use of personnel, equipment, and tools to meet project requirements and timelines.
- Monitor and report on project costs, ensuring projects are completed within budget constraints while maintaining quality and performance standards.
Skills and Knowledge Required:
- Extensive experience in the calibration, testing, and validation of flight systems, avionics, flight control systems, and sensors in aerospace applications.
- In-depth knowledge of regulatory standards (e.g., FAA, EASA) and certification processes for aerospace systems and avionics.
- Proven project management skills, including the ability to manage large-scale projects and lead cross-functional teams.
- Expertise in troubleshooting, diagnosing, and resolving complex flight systems calibration issues.
- Strong technical leadership, mentoring, and team-building skills.
- Advanced proficiency in flight systems testing, diagnostic tools, and calibration software (e.g., MATLAB, Simulink, LabVIEW).
- Excellent communication skills to work with engineers, management, and regulatory bodies.
- Ability to drive continuous improvement and innovation within flight systems calibration processes.
Educational Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
- Relevant certifications (e.g., FAA certifications, Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing) are highly desirable.
Key Focus Areas:
- Avionics and Flight Control Systems: Overseeing the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of calibration strategies for avionics and flight control systems, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and the highest industry standards for performance, reliability, and safety.
- Safety and Emergency Systems for Aircraft: Managing the calibration and validation processes for critical safety and emergency systems, ensuring all systems meet regulatory requirements and operational standards for emergency scenarios.
- Precision Instrumentation for Navigation, Communications, and Control: Leading the integration, testing, and optimization of precision instrumentation for navigation, communication, and control systems, ensuring seamless operation and performance across all aircraft systems.
- Strategic Planning and Process Optimization: Developing and executing long-term strategies for the calibration department, including process optimization, resource management, and the introduction of innovative technologies to improve system reliability and efficiency.
- Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management: Ensuring the calibration activities comply with global aviation regulations (FAA, EASA), managing risk assessments, audits, and certifications to maintain compliance and uphold safety standards across all flight systems.
- Team Leadership and Cross-Functional Collaboration: Leading, mentoring, and developing a team of flight systems calibration engineers, while fostering collaboration with other engineering departments to ensure effective integration of calibration processes and alignment with broader organizational goals.
- Stakeholder Communication and Reporting: Reporting calibration progress, system performance, and compliance to senior leadership, while managing stakeholder expectations and ensuring that technical and safety goals are met within budget and timelines.
Experience:
- 7+ years of experience in flight systems calibration, avionics, or related aerospace fields, with at least 3 years in a managerial or leadership role.
- Proven track record in managing and executing flight systems calibration projects and ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
- Strong experience in leading teams and providing technical guidance to engineers and technicians.
Tools and Technologies:
- Expertise in flight systems testing, calibration tools, and diagnostic equipment used in aerospace applications.
- Proficiency in simulation and modeling software (e.g., MATLAB, Simulink, LabVIEW) and data analysis tools.
- Familiarity with flight control systems, avionics software, and hardware used in aerospace platforms.
Other Requirements:
- Strong leadership and organizational skills, with the ability to manage teams, resources, and multiple projects.
- A commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and regulatory compliance in flight systems calibration.
- Willingness to travel to aircraft facilities, testing locations, or client sites for system calibration, troubleshooting, and optimization activities.