Avionics Manager

We’re representing a fast-scaling aerospace technology company developing next-generation communications, imaging, and remote sensing capabilities using high-altitude, lighter-than-air platforms operating in the stratosphere (approx. 18–21 km).

These persistent airborne systems function as repositionable infrastructure in the sky, carrying telecom, imaging, and sensing payloads. They enable rapid deployment, lower cost than traditional infrastructure, and provide major advantages for connectivity, environmental monitoring, emergency response, Earth observation, and government-related applications.

The organization partners with major global telecom operators, infrastructure groups, research institutions, and public-sector agencies. This is a mission-driven engineering environment focused on building flight-ready systems that push the edge of aerospace innovation.

The Role: Avionics Hardware Team Lead

This position leads the design, development, integration, and validation of avionics hardware for a high-altitude flight platform. It blends hands-on engineering with team leadership, guiding a small group of engineers while ensuring systems meet performance, safety, reliability, and regulatory expectations.

You’ll play a key role in moving complex aerospace hardware from early design through flight readiness.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Lead and mentor avionics hardware engineers
• Provide technical direction, assign work, and review designs
• Promote strong engineering practices and continuous improvement

Hardware Design & Architecture

• Lead development of avionics hardware including power distribution, flight computing, sensors, communications, and interfaces
• Own architecture decisions and trade studies
• Develop schematics and oversee PCB layout reviews
• Ensure compliance with performance, environmental, reliability, and safety requirements

Integration, Test & Verification

• Oversee hardware bring-up and system integration
• Define and support functional, environmental, and qualification testing (thermal, vibration, EMI/EMC, etc.)
• Troubleshoot hardware issues during development and flight testing

Cross-Functional Work

• Collaborate with software, systems, structures, manufacturing, and flight ops
• Support requirements definition and traceability
• Participate in major design and readiness reviews

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain strong design and test documentation
• Support aerospace quality standards and internal processes
• Contribute to configuration and change management

Required Background

• Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or similar (Master’s a plus)
• 7 years in avionics or aerospace hardware development
• Experience leading or mentoring engineers
• Strong skills in:
• Avionics system architecture
• Analog & digital circuit design
• PCB schematic capture and layout review
• Power systems & signal integrity
• Experience with hardware testing, debugging, and environmental qualification
• Comfortable being both hands-on and a team lead

Preferred Experience

• High-altitude, UAV, space, or other flight-critical systems
• Familiarity with DO-160, DO-254, or comparable standards
• Flight test or operational readiness support
• Strong communication and documentation skills