The Senior Flight Test Instrumentation Technician leads the design, integration, troubleshooting, and maintenance of complex instrumentation systems on experimental or production aircraft. This role requires deep expertise in sensor technology, data acquisition systems (DAQ), telemetry, and signal integrity. The technician collaborates closely with engineers, flight crews, and technical staff to ensure instrumentation systems meet strict performance, safety, and data quality standards in support of flight testing and certification campaigns.
Instrumentation Leadership:
Lead all phases of instrumentation system setup including sensor selection, installation strategy, signal routing, and DAQ configuration for complex flight test programs.
System Integration:
Design and integrate high-density sensor arrays (strain, temperature, pressure, displacement, vibration, etc.) with multi-channel DAQ and telemetry networks.
Troubleshooting & Diagnostics:
Serve as the primary technical expert for resolving complex signal issues, grounding faults, sensor failures, and software integration challenges.
Test Campaign Execution:
Support pre-flight checkouts, flight line operations, and post-flight debriefs, ensuring instrumentation integrity throughout test cycles.
Documentation & Configuration Control:
Maintain detailed documentation, including as-installed diagrams, wiring schematics, sensor configuration files, calibration certificates, and system logs.
Mentorship & Team Oversight:
Train and mentor junior and mid-level technicians, ensuring consistent workmanship, safety practices, and knowledge sharing across the team.
Cross-Functional Coordination:
Work directly with flight test engineers, aircraft systems engineers, avionics, and maintenance teams to coordinate installation schedules, data requirements, and hardware integration.
Compliance & Quality:
Ensure instrumentation practices comply with aerospace standards (e.g., AS9100, ARP5583, AS50881, MIL-STD) and contribute to internal audits and safety reviews.
Technical Leadership:
Drive instrumentation strategy and ensure complex sensor/data systems are correctly integrated and validated.
System Reliability & Uptime:
Maximize data reliability and minimize downtime through proactive system design, rigorous validation, and real-time issue resolution.
Advanced Troubleshooting:
Act as the go-to problem solver for signal integrity issues and flight test data acquisition system anomalies.
Mentorship & Standards Enforcement:
Elevate team capabilities through coaching and adherence to quality and installation standards.
Flight Readiness & Mission Support:
Ensure all instrumentation systems are flight-ready and aligned with mission objectives and test plans.
Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Instrumentation, Avionics, Aerospace Engineering Technology, or related field
5–10+ years of hands-on experience in aircraft flight test instrumentation
Expert-level knowledge of sensor technologies, signal processing, DAQ systems (e.g., LMS SCADAS, NI, HBM), and telemetry equipment
Strong background in aerospace wiring standards, calibration protocols, and flight safety procedures
Proficient in using test tools: oscilloscopes, signal analyzers, multimeters, spectrum analyzers
Excellent communication, documentation, and leadership skills
Ability to work under pressure in high-paced flight test environments
Familiarity with FAA/EASA regulations or military certification processes (preferred)