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Principal Engineer, Instrumentation

United States

About the Role

Reporting to the Manager of Test Support, the Principal Instrumentation Engineer plays a critical role in the definition, development, and oversight of instrumentation and data acquisition systems to support material, structural, mechanical/electrical, and flight testing.  The Principal Instrumentation Engineer will ensure data credibility via instrumentation definition, acceptance procedures, data post-processing and analysis, calibration, and maintenance.  The ideal candidate demonstrates leadership in communication, collaboration, and problem-solving.

What You’ll Do

  • Develop, improve, and maintain processes for the installation and maintenance of instrumentation and data acquisition equipment
  • Coordinate the installation of instrumentation and data acquisition equipment on test articles and flight test aircraft
  • Develop and execute acceptance test procedures for installed instrumentation and data acquisition equipment
  • Manage instrumentation and data acquisition system configuration during each test program
  • Develop software and other tools necessary to enable real-time and post-flight data visualization
  • Analyze test data collected to maintain and evolve the instrumentation and data acquisition system functionality
  • Plan and execute calibration and maintenance activities for all instrumentation and data acquisition equipment, ensuring calibration is maintained, parameter validity is known and tracked, and hardware/software is managed
  • Work with Engineering and Test teams to define instrumentation and data acquisition systems to support testing of aircraft materials, structure, systems, simulation, and flight vehicles for development and certification
  • Maintain close communication with Engineering and Test teams to ensure effective instrumentation definition, efficient test execution, and proper data capture
  • Design and review instrumentation components and installation data
  • Author instrumentation and data acquisition system description test plan content
  • Advise and support instrumentation and data acquisition conducted by third parties
  • Initiate and lead instrumentation and data acquisition troubleshooting and issue resolution activities
  • Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior test engineers and technicians

Who You Are

Education

 BS. in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or equivalent

Experience

  • 8 years of relevant industry experience (or 6 years with Master’s degree)
  • Experience with test facility instrumentation and data acquisition and control systems
  • Significant experience with data acquisition systems and sensors used for test (strain gauges, accelerometers, load cells, thermocouples, pressure transducers, RVDT, string pots, encoders, etc.), including installation
  • Experience working with flight test organizations and aircraft certification
  • Working knowledge of 14 CFR Part 23/25/27/29 certification requirements and processes
  • Ability to monitor and understand analog and digital data acquisition systems used in the testing environment
  • Fluent in using LabVIEW for data collection, real time data analytics, and GUI development
  • Familiarity with aerospace network protocols such as ARINC 429, ARINC 664, CANbus, etc.
  • Familiarity with data transmission protocols for telemetry, line-of-sight and beyond
  • Experience with digital signal processing and wireless data transmission
  • Experience using MATLAB, Python, C++ or equivalent scripting language for data processing and in-house tool development
  • Experience with sensor installations and cable management
  • High-level knowledge of EWIS and EMI
  • Experience testing aircraft composite structures as well as aircraft mechanical and electrical systems
  • Ability and willingness to work with instrumentation technicians on harness and interface development and fly aboard experimental aircraft in support of developmental and certification flight tests
  • Ability and willingness to work flexible and off-shift hours (including 1st, 2nd, 3rd shift, nights, weekends, and holidays) when business needs dictate
  • Ability and willingness to travel to and support operations at offsite locations when business needs dictate

Required Skills

  • Active Listening: Strive to gain insight and truly understand all project stakeholders
  • Critical Thinking: Make prompt, informed, value-based decisions
  • Organization: Focus on agenda, schedules, frameworks, and methodologies, as well as communicating tasks, updates, progress, and blockers
  • Problem Solving: Assess issues from different vantage points to formulate the best solution
  • Self-Motivation: Demonstrate the highest level of commitment and drive to see projects through
  • Teamwork and Team Building: Contribute to a collaborative culture where people with unique personalities and skills work together effectively and hold themselves accountable to shared goals
  • Strong Business Communication: Use professional language and tone in all forms of communication

Where You'll Be 

Otto Aviation is currently a remote workplace culture, with plans to secure our permanent headquarters in Jacksonville, FL where you will be expected to be onsite there in mid 2026.

Benefits 

Otto Aviation provides a robust benefits package that includes competitive salaries, subsidized medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) opportunities, paid short term disability, voluntary long-term disability and additional term life, with 15 paid days off, 15 paid holidays, and paid sick leave. Depending on seniority and role, some roles qualify for potential bonuses and stock options. 

Otto Aviation is an Equal Opportunity Employer  

We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in every aspect of our hiring process. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. We believe that a diverse team brings fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and greater success. The more inclusive we are, the stronger we become. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. 

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