Lead Avionics Engineer

Lead Avionics Engineer

This role leads the avionics engineering effort for an air-launched hypersonic vehicle, guiding the team through continued design, integration, and testing of complex avionics and electrical systems. You will serve as a subject matter expert, providing technical leadership, systems integration expertise, and mentorship to a group of avionics engineers working on cutting-edge hypersonic test platforms. The position involves owning architecture and system design, coordinating cross-functional engineering activities, and ensuring that avionics systems meet stringent aerospace program requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture, design, analysis, integration, and testing of avionics and electrical systems for an air-launched hypersonic vehicle.
• Maintain configuration control over major avionics system elements, including wiring diagrams, 3D CAD models, work orders, and related documentation.
• Coordinate and lead engineers across multiple disciplines to understand system requirements and translate them into robust avionics designs.
• Collaborate closely with other subsystem leads to develop clear requirements, test plans, and test procedures for integrated aerospace systems.
• Perform analyses to assess system design adequacy and verify that avionics performance meets program and mission requirements.
• Coordinate with external customers to support range integration, launch license applications, safety documentation and analyses, and payload integration activities.
• Review technical presentations and support internal and external design reviews throughout vehicle development.
• Support ground and flight test campaigns as required, including test preparation, execution support, and post-test data review.
• Evaluate technical risks and risk mitigation plans, and provide recommendations on the appropriateness and sufficiency of proposed mitigations.
• Provide regular and comprehensive program status and technical updates to the program Chief Engineer on a weekly and monthly basis.
• Communicate with the Chief Engineer of Avionics to identify and address avionics needs such as training, test equipment upgrades, and avionics-specific processes.
• Manage direct reports, including conducting one-on-ones, performance reviews, and day-to-day guidance and mentorship.
• Contribute to the integration of complex aerospace systems, ensuring seamless interaction between avionics and other vehicle subsystems.
• Drive continuous improvement in avionics engineering practices, documentation quality, and test methodologies.
• Work proactively and independently to prioritize tasks in alignment with overall business and program goals, adapting to changing priorities as needed.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience in avionics systems engineering, including architecture, design, analysis, integration, and testing of avionics and electrical systems.
• Background in aerospace development with relevant experience in aerospace systems integration.
• Knowledge of, and experience with, one or more of the following disciplines: electrical engineering, avionics, experimental aircraft integration, and/or launch vehicle integration.
• Experience managing the manufacturing of an aerospace vehicle, including coordination between design, production, and test teams.
• Hands-on experience integrating avionics wiring and hardware into an aerospace vehicle.
• Experience with aerospace vehicle bring-up, including ground tests, flight tests, and system-level validation.
• Experience with telemetry systems and IRIG-106 formats (CH4, CH10, CH7).
• Experience with data acquisition and instrumentation, including thermocouples, accelerometers, strain gages, and pressure transducers.
• Experience with electrical power systems and associated design considerations.
• Experience creating and reviewing wiring diagrams and circuit schematics.
• Experience with electrical design analysis such as power budgets, thermal analysis, and RF budgets.
• Ability to work on your own initiative and prioritize tasks to align with business and program objectives.
• Experience in C and/or C++, Python, Matlab, or equivalent programming and analysis tools.
• Experience in complex aerospace system development and integration.
• Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced development and test environment.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a relevant security clearance, as required by program needs.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Knowledge of environmental testing, including vibration, thermal, and shock test methodologies and standards.
• Experience with testing RF avionics components such as RF transmitters, RF cabling, and RF antennas.
• Experience with MIL-STD-461 testing, including Conducted Susceptibility (CS), Radiated Susceptibility (RS), and Radiated Emissions (RE).
• Knowledge of flight termination systems and their integration into aerospace vehicles.
• Experience supporting test activities from a control room environment, including real-time monitoring and data assessment.
• Experience with data acquisition systems such as National Instruments, ACRA, TTC, or equivalent platforms.
• Experience with IADS or equivalent tools for real-time data visualization and analysis.
• Familiarity with configuration management and requirements management systems such as JIRA, JAMA, Confluence, or equivalent.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership and mentorship experience, particularly in guiding avionics or electrical engineering teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on rigorous engineering judgment and system-level thinking.
• Motivation to contribute to cutting-edge hypersonic test platforms and a passion for advancing aerospace technology.

Work Environment

The role operates across test site, office, and laboratory environments, supporting the full lifecycle of hypersonic testbed development from design through flight test. You will work with modern avionics hardware, electrical power systems, telemetry and data acquisition equipment, and RF components, as well as software tools such as C/C++, Python, Matlab, National Instruments platforms, IADS, and configuration management systems like JIRA, JAMA, and Confluence. The position involves close collaboration with multidisciplinary engineering teams, participation in design reviews, and support of ground and flight test activities, including work in a control room setting during test operations. The environment emphasizes innovation, rigorous testing, and rapid technology deployment to enable operationally realistic hypersonic testing, with a culture that values technical excellence, clear communication, and teamwork.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Mojave, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $120000.00 - $210000.00/yr. 9/80 schedule Healthcare (medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs) Paid Maternity and Parental Leave 50% company match per contributed dollar into 401(k) savings plan, up to $11,500 Tuition reimbursement

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Mojave,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Apr 29, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we've helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.