The Flight Test Instrumentation Supervisor is responsible for overseeing the planning, execution, and quality assurance of instrumentation activities across all phases of aircraft ground and flight testing. This role leads a team of technicians and engineers, ensures adherence to standards, manages schedules and resource allocation, and coordinates cross-functional support for test campaigns. The Supervisor ensures all instrumentation systems deliver accurate, reliable data critical to safety, certification, and performance validation.
Team Leadership & Supervision:
Lead and supervise a team of instrumentation technicians and engineers, ensuring proper execution of sensor installations, wiring, calibration, and data system integration.
Project Planning & Scheduling:
Develop instrumentation timelines aligned with overall flight test schedules; assign tasks, manage technician workloads, and coordinate support for aircraft availability.
Quality Control & Standardization:
Enforce documentation accuracy, installation practices, and compliance with industry standards (e.g., AS9100, AS50881, ARP5583, MIL-STD, FAA/EASA test requirements).
Resource Management:
Manage inventory of sensors, cables, data acquisition systems, and tools; plan for procurement and maintenance of critical equipment.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Coordinate closely with flight test engineers, avionics teams, maintenance, safety officers, and program managers to ensure instrumentation alignment with mission objectives.
Technical Oversight:
Approve complex installation plans, validate DAQ configurations, and ensure system readiness for ground/flight testing.
Mentorship & Training:
Provide hands-on training and professional development for junior and mid-level staff; foster a culture of safety, precision, and continuous improvement.
Flight Test Support:
Oversee pre-flight system checks, ground test validation, and live flight operations to ensure instrumentation accuracy and uptime.
Operational Readiness & Risk Mitigation:
Ensure all instrumentation systems are safe, compliant, and flight-ready to support certification and engineering test campaigns.
Leadership & Team Development:
Build and mentor a high-performing technical team capable of adapting to evolving test requirements and technologies.
Data Integrity & Traceability:
Guarantee the fidelity and traceability of all collected data through rigorous calibration, documentation, and system validation processes.
Process Optimization:
Streamline instrumentation workflows, minimize downtime, and improve installation and validation turnaround times.
Strategic Coordination:
Align instrumentation efforts with broader flight test objectives, ensuring efficient communication across engineering and operational groups.
Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering Technology, Instrumentation, Avionics, or related field (or equivalent technical experience)
10+ years in flight test instrumentation, including at least 3–5 years in a leadership or supervisory role
Proven expertise in managing DAQ systems, telemetry, and high-channel-count instrumentation setups
Strong command of aerospace wiring practices, calibration protocols, signal verification, and data processing fundamentals
Experience with FAA, EASA, or military certification standards (preferred)
Excellent organizational, leadership, and communication skills
Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple test programs simultaneously