Flight Test Engineer • Medium Altitude UAS (Poway, CA)

Salary Range : $120,506 - $165,000

In this role you will provide full spectrum Flight Test Engineering support for the USAF Medium Altitude Unmanned Aircraft Systems (MAUAS) Division at designated government and commercial facilities in the Poway, California, area.

DCS is an employee-owned company focused on providing engineering, programmatic, and technical support services to the Department of Defense and other national security customers.

This position requires on-site work at General Atomics corporate facilities and various government support locations.

Essential Job Functions :

Serve as a flight test engineer (FTE) for developmental test efforts. The FTE will function as the Program Office and Staff Level Support interface for specified projects.

The FTE will assist the Government in performing all facets of developmental testing, from initial planning through execution, report writing and recommendations.

The core functions of the FTE are to review test strategy and objectives, develop and review test plans in conjunction with the prime contractor, to develop safety plans, execute test in laboratory and flight operation facilities, identify system deficiencies, generate test reports and recommendations. The FTE will also generate, present, and support any briefings, working groups, interface meetings, and review boards to support the core functions.

Test Planning and Execution : Develop test package (test and safety plan), reviews test strategy proposals for completeness, executability, and execute test in laboratory and flight operation facilities. Identify system deficiencies

Cross-functional Coordination : Interface with government and private sector organizations to communicate program test objectives, communicate technical needs and challenges, manage and resolve scheduling challenges, and coordinate with the IPTs for test item modifications, maintenance, and test execution.

Technical Review : Identify potential issues in modification packages for air vehicles, ground control stations, and other support equipment. Assess and evaluate both subjective and objective data acquired through test execution.

Resource Management : Facilitate scheduling of unique test resources (range, weapons, etc.) and supports the long-term scheduling of test activities.

Advisory and Reporting : Provides test advice, recommends priorities, identifies constraints, and develop deficiency correction recommendations; prepare briefings and reports for leadership on progress and challenges.

Supports any UAS incidents that require Safety and Accident Investigations.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills :

Due to the sensitivity of customer related requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required

BA / BS degree, and 5 years of aviation test engineering experience, 3 of which must be in the DoD.

A fully adjudicated DoD Top Secret security clearance is required on the First Day of employment.

Advanced knowledge, experience and recognized ability to be considered an aviation test engineering expert.

Possess the ability to perform tasks and oversee the efforts of junior and journeyman personnel within the aviation test engineering discipline.

Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the aviation test operations discipline as well as possess a comprehensive understanding and ability to apply associated aviation test engineering standards, procedures, and practices.

Possess the knowledge, experience, and demonstrated ability to perform logistics and have a demonstrated ability to work independently and apply the proper procedures and process related to aviation test engineering.

Proven ability to problem solve and troubleshoot various situations to develop successful outcomes within established program / project guidelines.

Must be detail oriented and able to work within specified deadlines.

Clear ability to take ownership of issues and pursue potential resolutions through to completion.

Able to work both independently and in a team environment.

DCS is an Employee-Owned equal opportunity company.