Instrumentation Engineer

Team: Test

Location: Houston, TX

Commitment: Full Time

Workplace Type: onsite

What You’ll Get to Do

Own the design, analysis, development, integration, and maintenance of test department electrical and instrumentation systems used across a wide range of applications.
Play a critical role on a multidisciplinary team responsible for defining how complex aerospace hardware is instrumented, measured, and validated.
Select, integrate, and validate sensors for low-speed and high-speed data acquisition systems
Perform signal conditioning, including excitation, amplification, filtering, isolation, and scaling of raw sensor outputs
Verify correct sensor operation through power checks, continuity, polarity, and calibration
Design and fabricate wiring harnesses and instrumentation interfaces
Integrate instrumentation with mechanical, fluid, inert gas, and cryogenic systems
Develop robust test setups for large- and small-scale hardware
Generate and revise electrical and instrumentation schematics for test stands
Modify existing structures to meet testing requirements
Generate test procedures for new systems and calibration of existing systems
Review test data to identify issues, anomalies, and trends
Support grounding, shielding, and EMI mitigation efforts
Install, wire, and troubleshoot test instrumentation systems
Communicate with the Software team to support automated testing and analysis
Support commissioning and maintenance of test infrastructure and equipment
Perform additional tasks as needed to support test and development operations

What You Have

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent hands-on test experience (In absence of a degree, 7+ years of relevant experience)
3+ years of experience in instrumentation, controls, or test engineering
Hands-on experience with signal conditioning and data acquisition systems
Strong understanding of the following: Measurement uncertainty and sampling theory; Filtering, noise, grounding, and EMI; Sensor selection and integration
Solid understanding of sensor signal types and wiring, including: Voltage, mV, differential voltage, and 4–20 mA outputs; Bridge-based sensors; IEPE / charge accelerometers; Digital I/O and low/high-side switching; Thermocouples and RTDs; Pulse and frequency signals
Practical experience installing and troubleshooting: Pressure and differential pressure transducers; Thermocouples and RTDs; High-speed accelerometers; Load cells and strain-gauge sensors; Flowmeters; Mechanical limit switches; Solenoid valves; Power supplies; NI PXI, cDAQ, and cRIO systems; VFDs
Tools & Equipment Experience: Power supplies; Digital multimeters and signal generators; Oscilloscopes; Crimp tools and precision cutting tools; Soldering and rework equipment; Heat guns and strain relief tools; Torque tools for sensor installation; Labeling and harness management tools
Comfort working in a fast-paced, hardware-focused environment
Excellent organizational skills, coupled with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, and the demonstrated capacity to work both independently and collaboratively within cross-functional teams
Willingness and ability to work outdoors in support of testing and fabrication activities; safely lift and transport up to 40 pounds; and adapt to evolving test, development, and operational requirements

What Will Set You Apart

Experience in aerospace, propulsion testing, or flight test
Familiarity with LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python, DIAdem
Familiarity with Confluence, Jira, and Microsoft Office Suite
Experience with high-speed or transient data acquisition
Experience operating in cryogenic or high-temperature environments
Background supporting hazardous test operations
Strong cross-functional communication during live test operations
3+ years of experience with CAD modeling software
3+ years of experience in hardware testing environments
3+ years of experience with fluid and/or mechanical system design