Senior System Test Engineer (HIL)

What success will look like for you, as a Senior Test Development Engineer (HIL) ? 

As a Test Development Engineer you will be responsible for designing and developing test equipment and machinery for certification of aircraft hardware and systems. The work will involve gathering test rig requirements and working with our technology partners to drive the design, build and commissioning of these rigs.  You will be responsible for designing software solutions for test, data acquisition hardware and software, data recording, test automation and data compression.  

Working closely with other Test Development Engineers you will integrate real-time computers to enable Hardware in the Loop testing of real aircraft systems. Rigs include propulsion test and whole-aircraft system test assets. You will be a role model for the company’s safety-first culture, determining safety provisions required for rig operations and mentoring others within the company to ensure knowledge is shared. 

The successful candidate will be able to work in dynamic innovative teams, building positive working environments and diplomatically resolving challenges to programme delivery.  Some elements of “hands on” work will be expected, with the assistance of our skilled technicians. 

The Senior Test Rig Development Engineer reports to the System Test IPT Lead and will be a key member of the system test team, supporting the continued development of our in-house expertise, specialist knowledge and capabilities. 

What we would like you to bring. 

We want you to be successful in your role and in order to achieve this, you will need to have completed either a Bachelor’s or a Master’s in Engineering / Computer Science (or equivalent) and have at least 5 years’ experience within aerospace/automotive/drivetrain engineering test campaigns, unit and system testing of hardware and associated software – preferably covering certification testing. A sound theoretical understanding of motors, drives, and testing of these is required. 

Ideally you will be experienced with design of software solutions for data stimulus, acquisition and data recording. Using applications such as MATLAB/Simulink, LabVIEW, Python, JavaScript, C/C++.  

Experience with data acquisition systems such as Speedgoat, National Instruments, RT-Opal or dSPACE and with Shared Memory systems is a plus. Additionally, familiarity with CI/CD processes and proficiency with tools such as git/SourceTree as well as knowledge of DO-330 software tool qualification/ DO-178 airborne systems software would be preferable. You should possess an understanding of common digital communication protocols (CANbus, ARINC 429 etc) and analogue-to-digital conversion for various sensor/IO types. 

Compliance:  

• In line with your contract of employment, you will comply with any of Vertical's rules, policies and procedures in force. Copies of the policies are available on the intranet.   
• As an employee of Vertical Aerospace, you are required to report any safety concerns, however minor, either through your People leader or using the confidential reporting systems that Vertical Aerospace has in place. You are to remain up to date with all of the relevant Safety training that Vertical Aerospace promulgates.