Job Title: Flight Systems Calibration Engineer
Job Summary:
The Mid-Level Flight Systems Calibration Engineer is responsible for the calibration, testing, validation, and optimization of flight control systems, avionics, and related aerospace components. This role involves working with senior engineers to integrate, troubleshoot, and optimize flight systems, ensuring they meet all performance, safety, and regulatory standards. The Mid-Level Engineer will independently handle calibration processes, provide technical leadership, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to support the safe and efficient operation of flight systems.
Key Responsibilities:
Flight Systems Calibration and Optimization:
- Lead the calibration of flight systems, including avionics, flight control systems, sensors, and communication systems, ensuring they meet operational and regulatory standards.
- Oversee the adjustment of system parameters for optimal system performance, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of flight systems during testing and operational use.
- Work with engineers to optimize calibration procedures to improve system efficiency and reduce time required for testing and validation.
System Testing and Validation:
- Conduct in-depth testing and validation of flight systems, including flight control, avionics, and navigation systems, to verify performance and functionality.
- Lead hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, system simulations, and in-field testing to validate system parameters under different operational scenarios.
- Collaborate with senior engineers to develop comprehensive test plans, ensuring all relevant system functions are covered and regulatory requirements are met.
Troubleshooting and Issue Resolution:
- Independently troubleshoot flight systems to identify and resolve issues related to calibration, performance, and system integration.
- Utilize advanced diagnostic tools to analyze system behavior and provide solutions for technical issues in flight control and avionics systems.
- Work with cross-functional teams to resolve any issues that arise during integration, testing, or operational deployment of flight systems.
Documentation and Reporting:
- Document all calibration processes, test results, system adjustments, and troubleshooting activities to ensure compliance with regulatory standards (e.g., FAA, EASA).
- Generate technical reports and provide feedback on system performance to senior engineers and management, highlighting any issues, resolutions, and performance enhancements.
- Ensure that all calibration records and test data are maintained and available for audits or regulatory reviews.
System Integration and Maintenance:
- Oversee the integration of new flight control systems, avionics, and sensors into aircraft or aerospace platforms, ensuring proper calibration and configuration.
- Perform routine maintenance and recalibration of flight systems to ensure they continue to operate at peak performance.
- Assist in the integration of new technologies, including software upgrades and hardware enhancements, into existing flight systems.
Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams:
- Work closely with engineers from other departments (e.g., software, mechanical, systems engineering) to ensure that flight systems are correctly integrated and meet all performance and safety requirements.
- Collaborate with testing, operations, and maintenance teams to provide ongoing support for flight systems.
- Support project managers in meeting deadlines for system integration, calibration, and testing.
Mentorship and Training:
- Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers and technicians, helping them develop their skills in flight systems calibration and testing.
- Offer training and support to other team members, ensuring they understand calibration best practices, testing procedures, and regulatory standards.
- Lead the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines for calibration processes, ensuring consistency and efficiency across projects.
Regulatory Compliance and Safety:
- Ensure that all calibration activities comply with industry regulations (e.g., FAA, EASA) and internal safety protocols.
- Lead safety audits and reviews, identifying risks associated with flight systems and ensuring that corrective actions are implemented.
- Assist in maintaining compliance with certification requirements and regulatory bodies during system integration, testing, and deployment.
Skills and Knowledge Required:
- Strong experience in the calibration, testing, and optimization of flight control systems, avionics, and related aerospace systems.
- Proficient in using diagnostic tools, flight system simulators, and software for system validation (e.g., MATLAB, Simulink, LabVIEW).
- Experience in troubleshooting flight systems and diagnosing issues related to performance, calibration, and system integration.
- Knowledge of aerospace regulations (e.g., FAA, EASA) and safety standards for flight systems and avionics.
- Ability to work independently and lead the calibration of complex flight systems.
- Strong technical writing skills to document calibration processes, test results, and performance data.
- Excellent communication skills to collaborate with engineers, project managers, and regulatory bodies.
- Attention to detail and ability to maintain high standards of quality and safety in all tasks.
Educational Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical field.
- Certifications related to avionics, flight control systems, or calibration (e.g., FAA certifications) are a plus.
Experience:
- 3-5 years of experience in flight systems calibration, avionics, or related aerospace fields.
- Proven experience in leading flight systems calibration activities, including troubleshooting, testing, and optimization.
- Experience with system integration and maintenance of flight systems, including avionics, sensors, and flight control systems.
- Familiarity with regulatory standards (e.g., FAA, EASA) and certification processes for aerospace systems.
Key Focus Areas:
- Avionics and Flight Control Systems: Managing the calibration, troubleshooting, and optimization of avionics and flight control systems, ensuring high reliability and accuracy for safe and efficient aircraft operation.
- Safety and Emergency Systems for Aircraft: Leading the calibration and testing of aircraft safety and emergency systems, ensuring compliance with global safety standards and operational readiness during critical situations.
- Precision Instrumentation for Navigation, Communications, and Control: Overseeing the calibration, integration, and performance monitoring of precision instrumentation for navigation, communication, and flight control systems to guarantee accuracy and reliability.
- Process Improvement and System Optimization: Identifying and implementing improvements in calibration processes to increase efficiency, accuracy, and system performance across avionics and flight systems.
- Regulatory Compliance and Documentation: Ensuring that all calibration activities adhere to industry regulations and standards, managing documentation for audits, and ensuring compliance with aviation safety authorities.
Tools and Technologies:
- Advanced knowledge of flight systems testing and calibration tools.
- Familiarity with diagnostic and simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB, Simulink, LabVIEW).
- Experience with flight control systems, avionics systems, and sensors used in aerospace applications.
Other Requirements:
- Strong leadership and mentoring abilities, with experience guiding junior engineers or technicians.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects, meeting deadlines and operational goals.
- A commitment to ensuring the highest standards of safety, performance, and regulatory compliance in flight systems calibration.
- Willingness to travel to facilities, testing locations, or client sites for system calibration and troubleshooting activities as required.