Instrumentation Technician – Flight Test Support

Location: Yuma, Arizona – Fully Onsite

Top Secret clearance Required

Position Overview

The Instrumentation Technician will support mission-critical flight-test and operational test-and-evaluation activities for advanced military aircraft. This hands-on role is responsible for maintaining and operating airborne data-acquisition systems, supporting daily test sorties, and ensuring instrumentation equipment is properly configured and mission-ready.

The technician will work closely with aircraft maintenance personnel, operations engineers, and data-processing teams in a secure, mission-focused environment.

Key Responsibilities

Daily Test Mission Support – Preflight

• Coordinate access to test aircraft with squadron and maintenance teams.
• Perform visual inspections of data-acquisition systems, cabling, and associated harnesses.
• Install and verify recording media in airborne data recorders.
• Confirm proper equipment mounting and configuration.
• Verify data-recorder bus-link status and overall system readiness before flight.

Daily Test Mission Support – Postflight

• Recover recorded data media from aircraft after each sortie.
• Deliver recovered media to the designated data-processing team.
• Ensure instrumentation systems are properly powered down following flight operations.
• Report discrepancies identified during postflight inspections or debriefs.

Data System Maintenance

• Identify and communicate equipment anomalies to the Operations Engineer.
• Perform approved corrective actions based on engineering direction.
• Maintain accurate records of system status, modifications, maintenance activities, and repairs.
• Support troubleshooting and resolution of instrumentation-related issues.

Logistics and Laboratory Support

• Assist with instrumentation logistics, including parts, shipments, inventory, and equipment tracking.
• Support laboratory operations, including bench testing, system configuration, and equipment preparation.
• Help maintain test equipment and instrumentation assets in operational condition.

Minimum Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required for facility and program access.
• Active DoD Top Secret security clearance; SCI eligibility and eligibility for special-access program participation preferred or required based on program needs.
• Technical background in electronics, avionics, instrumentation, electrical systems, or a closely related discipline.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, schematics, wiring diagrams, and system specifications.
• Strong attention to detail and disciplined documentation skills.
• Ability to work outdoors in a flight-line environment.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and occasionally lift or handle equipment and materials.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience supporting military flight-test instrumentation or airborne data-acquisition systems.
• Experience with fighter aircraft or other advanced aerospace platforms.
• Familiarity with military maintenance and logistics systems.
• Experience with bus-based data-acquisition technologies, including:
  • MIL-STD-1553
  • ARINC 429
  • Ethernet-based telemetry
• Experience troubleshooting avionics, instrumentation, wiring, or electronic data systems.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and adapt to changing mission priorities.
• Experience working in secure DoD, aerospace, or test-and-evaluation environments.