Flight Test Installation Design Lead

An exciting opportunity has opened for an experience Aircraft Flight Test Instrumentation (FTI) Installation Design Lead.  

The successful candidate will demonstrate success in directing the design, integration, and documentation of sensors and data acquisition systems on multiple test aircraft programs. 

With support from Project Management, they will manage the full lifecycle from design to installation, ensuring compliance with airworthiness standards, collaboration with structural teams, while ensuring technical leadership to a multi-national design team to meet flight test schedules and milestones.  

• Technical Leadership: Lead teams of multi-national engineers, troubleshoot integration anomalies, and provide assistance/guidance for customer instrumentation technicians during installation and calibration. 
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Interface with the customer structural design offices, manufacturing, flight test engineers, systems engineers and airworthiness authorities to ensure compliance. 
• Documentation: Direct contact with the customer / OEM to support their requirements and in support to the commercial project team, maintain technical agreements through the SOW and ECM processes. 
• Installation Conceptual Planning: Define FTI installation layouts, wiring harnesses, and structural integration/interfaces, optimizing for weight, safety, and manufacturability. 
• Design Development: Technical delivery for the Creation, review, and handover of 3D CAD models (e.g., CATIA V5) and 2D definition for FTI electrical routing and installations (racks, wiring, antennas, sensors, support brackets). 
• Key Milestone Support: Technical support to the customer for successful PDR/CDR gate reviews and management of post gate review exceptions. 
• Process Improvement: Evaluate new instrumentation technologies, and develop new tools or methods to improve efficiency.  

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electronic Engineering. 
• Lower academic qualifications will be considered with candidates demonstrating an increased level of experience in both FTI integration and leading a team/project. 

• Technical Proficiencies: Strong CATIA V5 (or similar 3D CAD), PLM tools (e.g., 3DEXP, VPM, TEAMCENTER), and understanding of sensor technologies (accelerometers, pressure transducers, thermocouples). 
• Knowledge: Deep understanding of aircraft electrical systems, mechanical installations, data acquisition systems, and EMI/EMC guidelines. 
• Strong knowledge of EASA EWIS regulations and CS-25 certification requirements.
• Solid understanding of aircraft zone management, wiring degradation factors, and system safety principles.
• Strong project management and team leadership skills with the ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication and technical reporting abilities.
• Ability to manage suppliers, assess technical risks, and ensure project quality and compliance.
• Analytical and problem-solving mindset with attention to detail.
• Commercial awareness for project success
• Strong customer support focus.
• Timely completion of instrumentation deliverables.
• Quality of definition deliverables and reduction in installation design errors.  

• Working knowledge of PLM tools, documentation standards, and engineering configuration control.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Jira).

• Additional European language skills (e.g., French or German) are an advantage.

• Experience in FTI, or a combination with avionics, systems installation design. Lead experience is mandated.

• Experience working within R&T (Research & Technology) or aerospace development environments.
• Proven experience in aeronautical electrical harness design and wiring integration.

• Collaborative working environment – we stand shoulder to shoulder with our clients and our peers through good times and challenges  
• We empower all passionate technology loving professionals by allowing them to expand their skills and take part in inspiring projects   
• Expleo Academy - enables you to acquire and develop the right skills by delivering a suite of accredited training courses  
• Competitive company benefits
• Always working as one team, our people are not afraid to think big and challenge the status quo 

• As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we have committed to:
  • Ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible
  • Communicating and promoting vacancies
  • Offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job
  • Anticipating and providing reasonable adjustments as required
  • Supporting any existing employee who acquires a disability or long term health condition, enabling them to stay in work at least one activity that will make a difference for disabled people

“We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age”. 

We treat everyone fairly and equitably across the organisation, including providing any additional support and adjustments needed for everyone to thrive