Job Title: Project Manager Test Equipment Development
Department: Engineering
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Industry: UAV & Aerospace Defense
Job Purpose:
The Project Manager Test Equipment Development is responsible for leading the design, development, and deployment of specialized test equipment used for validating and verifying complex systems within UAV platforms. This role will oversee projects involving electronic, mechanical, and software-based test rigs, simulators, and automated test equipment (ATE) to ensure compliance with aerospace testing standards and support system integration, qualification, and production activities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage the full lifecycle of test equipment development projects, from requirements gathering and concept design to integration, validation, and commissioning.
- Define project scope, objectives, schedules, budgets, and risk mitigation strategies in alignment with program milestones and delivery timelines.
- Collaborate with engineering disciplines (avionics, propulsion, flight control, GCS, payloads) to capture test requirements and translate them into robust test equipment designs.
- Oversee the development of hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) systems, automated test benches, simulators, and test instrumentation to support ground and flight testing.
- Ensure that all test equipment complies with relevant aerospace standards (e.g., DO-160, MIL-STD-810, IEEE) and supports traceability of verification and validation processes.
- Lead teams of mechanical, electrical, and software engineers responsible for test hardware/software integration, configuration management, and deployment.
- Manage subcontractors, vendors, and manufacturing partners involved in test equipment production or delivery.
- Prepare and review technical documentation including interface control documents (ICDs), test procedures, calibration protocols, and test reports.
- Support internal quality audits and ensure calibration traceability and test repeatability across platforms.
- Interface with internal stakeholders, quality assurance teams, and external defense clients to ensure test capability readiness and acceptance.
Required Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
- Minimum 710 years of experience in aerospace or defense sectors, with significant experience in test equipment design, development, and project management.
- Proven track record in delivering custom test equipment solutions for avionics, mission systems, propulsion, or electromechanical systems.
- Strong understanding of automated test systems, signal conditioning, data acquisition, embedded systems testing, and control interfaces (e.g., CAN, RS-422, Ethernet).
- Familiarity with hardware and software co-development environments and integration tools (LabVIEW, MATLAB/Simulink, NI TestStand, etc.).
- Experience with project management tools and methodologies (e.g., MS Project, Primavera) and product lifecycle management systems (PLM).
Preferred Certifications & Competencies:
- PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent project management certification.
- ISTQB, LabVIEW CLAD/CLD, or equivalent testing and automation certifications.
- Knowledge of MIL-STD testing protocols and environmental test standards (e.g., vibration, thermal, EMI/EMC).
- Familiarity with aerospace production and qualification processes.
- UAE defense sector security clearance or eligibility is a strong advantage.
