Job Summary:
American Aerospace is leading the way in civil/commercial medium altitude, long endurance unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) with the AiRangerTM UAS. AATI is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Electrical Engineer to join the company’s dynamic team at their aircraft manufacturing plant in Sterling, Virginia. This position requires extensive prototype research and development on medium altitude, beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS), long endurance UAS with an emphasis on identifying code issues and non-conformance issues while tracking them to resolution.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Design all relevant electrical assemblies such as harnesses, power distribution units, and interface boards.
• Confirm system’s and components’ capabilities by designing testing methods.
• Assure product quality by designing electrical testing methods and testing finished products and system capabilities.
• Integrate new sensor technologies.
• Develop and maintain power budgets.
• Select electrical components and electronics assuring compliance with specifications and product requirements.
• Interact with mechanical engineers during the design phase of the product for proper electrical layout.
• Provide Systems Engineering documentation, including System Requirements Specifications, Interface Control Documents, and System Design Documents.
• Provide system level design and integration of RF transmission systems using wireless communications.
• Support integration and test activities associated with radar components and communication systems, in the lab setting and in the field. Support detailed measurement and verification activities using digital and custom test equipment.
• Develop thorough definition of system internal and external interfaces.
• Define system implementation approach and operational concept.
• Ensure requirements are met and evaluate system performance.
• Produce high quality documents, including SRS, ICD, SDD, test plans and test reports.
• Acting as a mentor and providing on-the-job training to the engineering, quality, manufacturing, and program management teams regarding electrical engineering and regulatory guidance.
• Maintaining approval processes for management and creation of new and revised electrical schematics, engineering drawings, and user documentation.
• Performing system commissioning and flight-testing support on systems, including installing hardware, loading software programs, and implementing modifications as necessary to install both standard and non-standard integrations, upgrades, and modifications.
• Expertise with the setup and configuration of many programs and components including but not limited to: Piccolo II Autopilot, PE4 ECU, MPU5 Mesh Network Radio, LTE/CMRS Modems, Satellite Terminal Modems, Miscellaneous sensor integrations, Communications tracking antenna systems, Portable ground control stations, and other similar equipment.
• Information Technology Security and Configuration Control as a Continuous Monitoring System with administrator responsibilities for ensuring the AiRanger UAS systems are properly installed, configured, and maintained, as well as operational.
• Integrating system installations, system updates, patches, software and hardware installations, and responsibility to remediate issues prior to airworthiness release and to report these changes or improvements through configuration control processes to the Authorizing Official, FAA, and End User.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, including procedures, manuals, and design specifications.
• Self-manage projects and timelines effectively, ensuring deliverables are met within specified deadlines and budget.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of mechanical components into larger systems.
• Demonstrate adaptability by wearing multiple hats and proactively taking on additional responsibilities to contribute to the overall success of the team.

Requirements/Qualifications:

• Formal education in an engineering discipline or equivalent related experience.
• Minimum 5 years related experience.
• Provide own set of basic hand tools relevant to Aircraft Avionics and Electrical Technicians.
• Experience in lab and troubleshooting equipment and techniques Including but not limited to: Multimeters, Oscilloscopes, Spectrum Analyzers, RF Power meters, Programmable RF attenuators, Wireshark IP network analyzer, Putty serial/telnet/ssh communication, Signal Generators, Vector Network Analyzers, etc.
• Experience in programming and data parsing including but not limited to: AutoCAD, SolidWorks, DraftSight, MATLAB, Microsoft Office, Windows, UNIX, LINUX, C, C++, XML, etc.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; including ability to effectively communicate with internal and external customers, suppliers, and/or regulators.
• Working practical knowledge of AS9100 and AS50881 standards.
• Proficiency in using hand and power tools.
• Experience in rapid prototyping techniques.
• Strong organizational, analytical, time-management, and problem-solving skills with constant attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to work independently and to carry out assignments to completion within perimeters of instruction given, prescribed routines, and standards accepted practices.
• Ability to work for prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

PREFERRED Requirements/Qualification

• Experience with aspects of medium altitude, long endurance, Group 3 CTOL UAS including design, development, manufacturing, integration, and flight testing.
• FAA A&P license and/or Pilot license
• FCC Radio Telephone Operators License with RADAR endorsement.

Job Category: Engineering
Job Type: Full Time
Job Location: Sterling V

• Design all relevant electrical assemblies such as harnesses, power distribution units, and interface boards.
• Confirm system’s and components’ capabilities by designing testing methods.
• Assure product quality by designing electrical testing methods and testing finished products and system capabilities.
• Integrate new sensor technologies.
• Develop and maintain power budgets.
• Select electrical components and electronics assuring compliance with specifications and product requirements.
• Interact with mechanical engineers during the design phase of the product for proper electrical layout.
• Provide Systems Engineering documentation, including System Requirements Specifications, Interface Control Documents, and System Design Documents.
• Provide system level design and integration of RF transmission systems using wireless communications.
• Support integration and test activities associated with radar components and communication systems, in the lab setting and in the field. Support detailed measurement and verification activities using digital and custom test equipment.
• Develop thorough definition of system internal and external interfaces.
• Define system implementation approach and operational concept.
• Ensure requirements are met and evaluate system performance.
• Produce high quality documents, including SRS, ICD, SDD, test plans and test reports.
• Acting as a mentor and providing on-the-job training to the engineering, quality, manufacturing, and program management teams regarding electrical engineering and regulatory guidance.
• Maintaining approval processes for management and creation of new and revised electrical schematics, engineering drawings, and user documentation.
• Performing system commissioning and flight-testing support on systems, including installing hardware, loading software programs, and implementing modifications as necessary to install both standard and non-standard integrations, upgrades, and modifications.
• Expertise with the setup and configuration of many programs and components including but not limited to: Piccolo II Autopilot, PE4 ECU, MPU5 Mesh Network Radio, LTE/CMRS Modems, Satellite Terminal Modems, Miscellaneous sensor integrations, Communications tracking antenna systems, Portable ground control stations, and other similar equipment.
• Information Technology Security and Configuration Control as a Continuous Monitoring System with administrator responsibilities for ensuring the AiRanger UAS systems are properly installed, configured, and maintained, as well as operational.
• Integrating system installations, system updates, patches, software and hardware installations, and responsibility to remediate issues prior to airworthiness release and to report these changes or improvements through configuration control processes to the Authorizing Official, FAA, and End User.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, including procedures, manuals, and design specifications.
• Self-manage projects and timelines effectively, ensuring deliverables are met within specified deadlines and budget.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of mechanical components into larger systems.
• Demonstrate adaptability by wearing multiple hats and proactively taking on additional responsibilities to contribute to the overall success of the team