Avionics Hardware Design Lead

The Role:

As the Avionics Hardware Team Lead, you will be the driving force behind the design, development, and validation of our platform’s flight-critical systems. This is a unique "player-coach" role that combines high-level technical strategy and architectural decision-making with hands-on engineering and mentorship.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership & Mentorship

• Lead, mentor, and grow a specialized team of avionics hardware engineers.
• Set technical direction, assign work-streams, and ensure engineering best practices.
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and innovation.

Hardware Design & Architecture

• Own the hardware architecture for flight computers, power distribution, sensors, and communications.
• Drive trade studies and lead PCB design, schematic capture, and layout reviews.
• Ensure all designs meet rigorous performance, reliability, and environmental standards for stratospheric flight.

Integration & Flight Readiness

• Oversee hardware bring-up and system-level integration.
• Define qualification testing protocols (vibration, thermal, EMI/EMC).
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex hardware issues during development and flight testing.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Software, Systems, Structures, and Flight Ops teams to ensure seamless integration.
• Lead and participate in critical design reviews (PDR, CDR).

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• Experience: 7 years in avionics or aerospace hardware development.
• Leadership: Proven experience leading or mentoring engineering teams.
• Technical Depth: Expert-level knowledge of analog/digital circuit design, power systems, signal integrity, and PCB layout.
• Hands-on: The ability and desire to work "on the bench" while simultaneously leading a team.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with UAVs, Space Systems, or High-Altitude platforms.
• Familiarity with aerospace standards such as DO-160 or DO-254.
• Experience supporting active flight testing and operational readiness.