Principal / Flight Test Instrumentation Architecture Engineer

Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman · Aerospace · Melbourne, FL +1 · Systems/Architecture/Test

Northrop Grumman is seeking an Engineer Instrumentation Architecture/Principal Engineer Instrumentation Architecture to develop instrumentation architectures for advanced labs, ground test aircraft, and flight test aircraft. Responsibilities include defining system configurations, signal conditioning requirements, and architectural implementations for data acquisition systems, telemetry ground stations, and related equipment. The role requires experience in flight test or lab test environments, a strong understanding of data systems, telemetry, RF, and instrumentation sensors, and knowledge of data bus architectures and MIL-STD documents. A Secret clearance is required.

What you'd actually do

  1. Define Instrumentation system configurations and signal conditioning requirements and architectures common to Airborne Data Acquisition Hardware including gathering, tracking and communicating requirements effectively to multidisciplinary teams.
  2. Monitor and understand the configuration of the instrumentation system to recommend/authorize configuration changes and perform a variety of duties, including engineering design tasks as assigned, supporting design reviews, procedure writing, test integration and participating in trade study analyses.
  3. Develop architectural implementations for TTC Airborne Data Acquisition Systems, Telemetry ground station equipment to include auto tracking antennas, RF receivers, bit-syncs, de-commutators, demultiplexers, communication system matrix, chapter 10 recorders, and camera systems.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline AND 5 years of related professional/military experience, OR a Master's degree AND 3 years of related professional/military experience.
  • active US Government Secret clearance
  • ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance
  • Experience working in Flight Test or Lab Test environments
  • Solid understanding of application and implementations of data systems, telemetry and RF, onboard recording systems and ground stations, sub-systems and specialized Instrumentation test equipment.
  • Strong knowledge of capabilities, uses, and limitations of Strain Gages, Accelerometers, Pressure Transducers and other commonly used instrumentation sensors.
  • Basic knowledge of data bus architecture MIL-STD-1553, IEE-1394, ARINC-429, RS-232 and RS-422.
  • Experience with component testing and qualification requirements
  • Knowledge or experience navigating MIL-STD documents and specifications

Nice to have

  • Experience with gathering system requirements.
  • Able to create detailed design specifications, product manuals, ICDs, and/or design handbooks.
  • Design and operational experience with TTC data systems.
  • Familiarity with fundamental principles of Symvionics IADS software or working in a Mission Control Room
  • Knowledge or experience with IRIG 106; CH10, CH7, and TM Downlink.
  • Military aircraft development experience or familiarity of MIL-HDBK-516B Expanded, -516C and related DOD and DOD Services Airworthiness Documentation, Instructions, Guidance, Bulletins, and Circulars.
  • Demonstrated ability to support post-test data processing and analysis to provide recommendations / authorize configuration changes of the test instrumentation system for flight to Engineering, Leade

What the JD emphasized

  • Secret clearance
  • Secret clearance
  • Secret clearance