Senior Flight Simulator Engineer

Overview

We are seeking a full-time Senior Flight Simulator Engineer in our Olathe, KS location. In this role, you will be responsible leading the design, setup, configuration, and maintenance of Garmin Aviation's flight simulator labs.

Essential Functions

• Leads simulator project definition for new aviation products and features, collaborating with subject-matter-experts, for effectively testing and demonstrating new products and features for stake-holders and OEM partners
• Designs and builds new flight simulators for current and new integrated flight deck systems. This includes panel layout, wiring, switches, integration with X-plane or other commercial flight simulator software
• Oversees maintenance of system benches and flight simulator labs
• Writes, updates, and maintains software for motion cueing and washout
• Sets up high-level simulator tools and real-time systems with MatLab, Simulink, or LabVIEW
• Writes updates and new features to the simulator plugins and tools in C, C++ and/or C#
• Oversees upkeep of visual and projection systems, and X-Plane configuration to improve the simulator experience
• Participates in human factors research evaluations for flight deck programs, products, and features
• Trains others on basic pilot knowledge, and aviation, including outreach activities, and flight simulator and equipment demonstrations
• Communicates status of work clearly, thoroughly documents work in an organized manner, and identifies and resolves defects of basic scope using proper engineering tools and techniques
• Mentors and provides guidance to less experienced Flight Simulator Engineers
• Employs innovative simulation methods to communicate research and design requirements
• Leads initiatives to develop or improve Human Factors design and research processes

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or above in Human Factors, Human Computer Interaction, User Experience, Human Centered Design, Aviation, or related field AND a minimum of 5 years relevant experience OR an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
• Excellent academics (cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 3.0 as a general rule) with the demonstrated ability to apply learned knowledge
• Demonstrated experience analyzing and synthesizing user data to identify usability insights and translate those insights into actionable recommendations
• Demonstrated proficiency with rapid digital prototyping tools like Figma or Photoshop
• Demonstrated strong and effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrated experience applying usability, accessibility, and other industry standard practices
• Demonstrated leadership in coordinating multiple projects of varying complexity
• Must be team/detail oriented, possess a positive attitude, demonstrate ability to work well with others in a highly collaborative environment, and can work proactively/effectively with little supervision
• Able to lift up to 25lbs using safe lifting techniques
• Demonstrated experience with flight simulation quantitative and qualitative data collection methodologies such as usability testing, task analysis, heuristic evaluations, contextual inquiries, and surveys

Desired Qualifications

• Pilot's Certificate with an Instrument Rating
• Advanced knowledge of aeronautical/aircraft systems, data buses, and protocols
• Advanced experience programming in C, C# and/or Python, Arduino IDE, Qt, and Linux.
• Experience with source-code repositories, GIT tools
• Experience creating advanced aircraft wiring diagrams using CAD software
• Experience integrating advanced flight simulator software functions with actual or simulated avionics hardware and software
• Demonstrated understanding of simulator/software system interactions and can differentiate between hardware and software problems
• Advanced experience with PC architecture, hardware, Windows, and networking
• Experience with 3-D printing, Arduino/ESP32/Raspberry Pi programming and projects
• Experience designing simple simulator parts in CAD software
• Experience with video and visual systems, projection, AR and VR

Garmin International is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran's status, age or disability.

This position is eligible for Garmin's benefit program. Details can be found here: Garmin Benefits