The Senior Instrumentation Supervisor leads the planning, execution, and quality assurance of instrumentation systems for engine and flight testing programs. This role oversees the design, installation, and verification of high-fidelity sensor networks and data acquisition architectures, ensuring compliance with aerospace test protocols and safety standards. The position is also responsible for mentoring technical staff, coordinating cross-functional efforts, and driving continuous improvement in instrumentation operations.
Project Leadership:
Lead and coordinate end-to-end instrumentation efforts across multiple test programs—engines, airframes, propulsion systems, and avionics test beds.
System Design & Validation:
Supervise the development and review of instrumentation system architecture, sensor selection, DAU configuration, wiring design, and system calibration strategies.
Team Management & Mentorship:
Manage instrumentation technicians, engineers, and mid-level supervisors. Set task priorities, enforce quality standards, and provide technical training.
Flight & Engine Test Readiness:
Own the instrumentation readiness of flight and ground test articles, ensuring all sensors, data systems, and safety interlocks are validated prior to TRRs.
Advanced Troubleshooting & Analysis:
Resolve complex instrumentation issues involving signal degradation, EMI, data loss, sensor drift, or synchronization failures during live tests.
Process Optimization:
Drive standardization of instrumentation procedures, tooling, and workflow improvements to reduce downtime and enhance accuracy.
Stakeholder Coordination:
Act as the primary interface with flight test engineers, data analysts, system engineers, and QA auditors during test preparation and execution.
Compliance Assurance:
Ensure all instrumentation work aligns with relevant regulatory standards (FAA/EASA/Military), aerospace quality protocols (AS9100, ISO 17025), and internal safety procedures.
Documentation & Reporting:
Oversee the creation and approval of sensor maps, wiring schematics, calibration logs, test configuration documents, and post-test data reviews.
Instrumentation Strategy & Architecture:
Lead the development of scalable, robust, and high-accuracy data acquisition systems for diverse test requirements.
Flight-Test-Grade Quality & Safety:
Ensure flawless performance of instrumentation under extreme flight and engine conditions—temperature, vibration, EMI, and altitude.
Leadership & Technical Governance:
Foster technical excellence, continuous learning, and a safety-first culture across the instrumentation workforce.
Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration:
Align instrumentation timelines with test schedules, engineering milestones, and regulatory checkpoints.
Continuous Improvement:
Identify opportunities for hardware standardization, digital signal monitoring, and real-time data diagnostics to enhance future test readiness.
Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Instrumentation, Aerospace, Electrical, or Mechatronics Engineering
7+ years of experience in aerospace test instrumentation (engine, airframe, or environmental testing), with 3+ years in a leadership role
Deep expertise in sensor technologies (strain gauges, pressure transducers, thermocouples, accelerometers, etc.) and DAU systems (e.g., TTC, Dewesoft, HBM)
Advanced knowledge of EMI mitigation, signal integrity, sensor calibration, and telemetry systems
Strong skills in interpreting engineering drawings, system schematics, and compliance documentation
Excellent leadership, cross-team coordination, and problem-solving capabilities