Job Description

Job title: Electronics Instrumentation & Control Engineer Location: Farnborough, GB Company: QinetiQ

About the role

We are looking for an Electronics, Instrumentation & Control Engineer to join our Wind Tunnel Engineering Team to be responsible for maintaining, sustaining and developing the Tunnel\'s Control and Instrumentation systems. The engineering team ensures the wind tunnel is fully maintained, calibrated and configured for test operations, with any bespoke customer instrumentation integrated into the data acquisition and post-processing systems.

This requires practical knowledge and experience of instrumentation and control systems, SCADA systems (ideally LabVIEW based), PLCs, electronics, plant control systems (e.g. variable speed drives), as well as understanding integration of instrumentation, sensors and data systems.

The remains at the forefront of low speed aerodynamic testing and plays an important role in the development of next generation aircraft. The combination of large test section and pressurisation up to three atmospheres make it unique in the UK. The facility incorporates extensive engineering systems, including compressors, cooling system, main fan, model handling systems and precision instrumentation, which are controlled by centralised computer based plant control and data acquisition systems.

This lead role will be on-site at QinetiQ\'s site in Farnborough, and will support our businesses in across the UK.

What do I need?

Experience in some of the following areas would be desirable, but not essential.

We would also like to be:

• Robust knowledge of a range of instrumentation and control techniques and systems
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn, LabVIEW programming language.
• General knowledge of distributed data management in a test environment.
• Understanding of electric motor drive and control systems, both open and closed loop.
• Knowledge of computer hardware / software and interfaces with commercial test equipment and sensor systems; typical sensors include pressure transducers, strain gauges, temperature transducers, accelerometers, load cells.
• Understanding of electronic components, analogue and digital devices, data processing and collection, hardware and software, data networks and communications, and video signals
• Understanding of Electronic and Electrical drawings and equipment assembly.
• Working knowledge of health and safety requirements and practice.
• Comfortable working in an industrial environment that could include working in tight spaces and at height.
• Electronic Engineering or Automation & Control or similar NVQ level 4 or 5 (HNC / HND) or equivalent and at least 8 years relevant experience, or Engineering Degree in an appropriate discipline and hands on experience in industrial environment.
• Deep practical experience of instrumentation, control and electronic systems including fault-finding, maintaining and upgrading systems underpinning a manufacturing or industrial capability.
• Supervisory / team leadership experience

Please note that all applicants must be eligible for SC clearance as a minimum.

What will I be doing?

• Installing, maintaining, modifying and repairing instrumentation and control systems in the facility. This includes fault finding, diagnosis and maintenance of electronic systems
• Liaison with customers and colleagues regarding current and future needs with respect to equipment and interfaces.
• Set up instrumentation and data acquisition systems in line with the wind tunnel test programme
• Management of electronics/instrumentation workshop capability, ensuring activity complies with the QinetiQ health and safety requirements, working in support of the Facility Manager.
• Scheduling work and day to day supervision of electronics workshop activity.
• Preparation, maintenance and review of documentation for electronic, instrumentation and control systems
• Operation of plant equipment in a safe and effective manner, in line with due process.
• Contribute to planning and delivery of facility scheduled maintenance
• Contribute to, and propose, electronic system development programmes
• Support customer trials; leading your on-shift electronics, control and instrumentation activity

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