The Senior Lead Instrumentation Engineer provides strategic and technical leadership for the development, deployment, and validation of advanced instrumentation systems for aerospace platforms. This role is responsible for leading cross-functional teams, managing complex test programs, and ensuring that all data acquisition and sensor systems meet the highest standards of accuracy, reliability, and compliance. The position is pivotal in delivering mission-critical data for prototype validation, certification, and system performance assessment.
Program-Level Technical Leadership:
Architect and lead the implementation of full-scale instrumentation systems for aircraft, engine, structural, and environmental test campaigns.
Advanced System Design:
Define sensor requirements, DAU configurations, telemetry needs, and interface protocols for new or complex aerospace test platforms.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Serve as the technical point of contact between instrumentation, flight test, systems engineering, quality assurance, and regulatory bodies.
Mentorship & Team Development:
Lead, mentor, and develop junior and mid-level instrumentation engineers and technicians, building a high-performing, technically proficient team.
Test Strategy & Readiness:
Oversee instrumentation planning for test campaigns, ensuring complete readiness for Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs), and flight authorizations.
Signal Integrity & Data Quality Assurance:
Implement advanced signal processing techniques, EMI mitigation strategies, and fault-tolerant configurations to ensure zero-compromise data integrity.
Regulatory & Safety Compliance:
Ensure instrumentation systems comply with FAA, EASA, MIL-STD, and AS9100 standards for safety, calibration, traceability, and redundancy.
Documentation & Configuration Control:
Approve sensor maps, DAU settings, wiring schematics, calibration protocols, and test logs. Maintain strict configuration control for traceability and repeatability.
Innovation & Optimization:
Identify and deploy new technologies, digital instrumentation trends (e.g., fiber-optic sensors, wireless DAUs), and automation to improve system efficiency and data fidelity.
System-Level Architecture & Governance:
Lead the instrumentation system design from requirements to flight/test execution across multiple integrated subsystems.
Test Campaign Delivery:
Ensure that instrumentation is never the pacing item in test readiness—manage risks, timelines, and quality metrics with precision.
Cross-Program Standardization:
Standardize sensor kits, DAU templates, wiring approaches, and signal validation protocols across all test projects to improve efficiency and reduce error.
Leadership & Technical Influence:
Shape instrumentation strategy across the organization, act as a key contributor to engineering governance boards, and represent the function in audits or high-level reviews.
Innovation & Continuous Improvement:
Champion initiatives that introduce smarter instrumentation tools, software integration, automated testing, and predictive fault detection.
Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Instrumentation, or Mechatronics Engineering
8+ years of experience in aerospace instrumentation and flight/engine testing
Demonstrated leadership in delivering multi-system instrumentation for flight vehicles, propulsion systems, or structural validation
Expert knowledge of sensors (strain, temperature, pressure, vibration), DAUs (TTC, Dewesoft, HBM, etc.), and telemetry systems
Advanced understanding of signal integrity, EMI mitigation, redundancy planning, and data traceability
Familiarity with FAA, EASA, DO-160, MIL-STD-810, and AS9100 testing standards
Exceptional communication, project leadership, and cross-functional coordination skills
Ability to mentor, influence, and elevate the capabilities of an instrumentation organization