Job Title: Avionics Control Systems Engineer
Job Summary:
The Senior Avionics Control Systems Engineer is responsible for leading the design, integration, optimization, and testing of advanced avionics control systems in aircraft. This role involves overseeing the development and maintenance of critical systems, such as autopilot, flight management systems, navigation systems, and communication systems, ensuring their performance, reliability, and compliance with regulatory standards. The Senior Engineer will manage projects, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of avionics systems within the broader aircraft systems. This role requires strong leadership, deep technical expertise, and the ability to drive innovation and continuous improvement in avionics technologies.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership in System Design and Integration:
- Lead the design, integration, and optimization of avionics control systems, including autopilot, flight management systems, navigation, and communication systems, ensuring they meet stringent technical, performance, safety, and regulatory standards.
- Oversee the integration of avionics control systems with other aircraft systems such as propulsion, flight controls, and sensors, ensuring that systems work harmoniously for safe and efficient operation.
- Take ownership of system architecture, guiding the development of scalable and reliable avionics control systems.
Project Management and Execution:
- Manage and lead avionics control system projects, ensuring timely delivery, meeting project specifications, and staying within budget.
- Develop detailed project plans, track progress, allocate resources, and ensure that project milestones are achieved.
- Act as the primary point of contact for all avionics system-related matters, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure the successful integration of avionics systems across all phases of development.
System Testing, Validation, and Optimization:
- Lead testing and validation activities for avionics control systems to verify functionality, performance, and compliance with safety standards.
- Oversee system-level validation through hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulations, flight testing, and on-ground evaluations, ensuring systems meet operational requirements under various conditions.
- Optimize avionics control systems for performance, efficiency, and reliability, identifying areas for improvement and leading efforts to implement changes.
Troubleshooting, Issue Resolution, and Root Cause Analysis:
- Take a lead role in troubleshooting and resolving complex avionics control system issues that arise during system integration, testing, and operational use.
- Conduct detailed root cause analysis (RCA) of any malfunctions or performance deviations, and implement corrective and preventive actions to enhance system reliability.
- Provide guidance to the engineering team on best practices for troubleshooting and resolving avionics system issues.
Regulatory Compliance and Safety Assurance:
- Ensure all avionics control systems comply with relevant aviation regulations (e.g., FAA, EASA) and safety standards.
- Lead the certification process for avionics systems, including preparing and reviewing technical documentation, test reports, and certification applications.
- Ensure that safety-critical systems incorporate appropriate redundancy, fail-safes, and other safety features to minimize the risk of failure.
Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams:
- Collaborate with other engineering disciplines, such as electrical, mechanical, and software engineers, to ensure the proper integration of avionics control systems with the overall aircraft architecture.
- Work with suppliers, manufacturers, and vendors to select and implement components and technologies that meet avionics system performance and quality requirements.
- Engage with regulatory bodies and industry groups to ensure avionics systems meet certification and industry standards.
Mentorship and Technical Leadership:
- Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior and mid-level engineers, fostering a culture of learning and knowledge sharing within the team.
- Lead technical reviews and design discussions, providing insights and solutions to complex avionics system challenges.
- Promote the professional development of engineers through training, feedback, and leadership.
Innovation and Continuous Improvement:
- Lead initiatives to incorporate new technologies and innovations into avionics control systems, ensuring that systems remain at the forefront of industry advancements.
- Evaluate emerging technologies in avionics and flight control systems and lead efforts to implement relevant advancements that improve system capabilities, performance, or cost-effectiveness.
- Champion continuous improvement practices within the avionics control system team to enhance system reliability, optimize performance, and reduce operational costs.
Documentation and Reporting:
- Oversee the creation and maintenance of comprehensive technical documentation, including system designs, test plans, results, and maintenance logs, ensuring they are accurate, detailed, and up to date.
- Prepare and present detailed technical reports and presentations to senior management and external regulatory bodies, outlining project status, performance metrics, system improvements, and regulatory compliance.
- Ensure that all project documentation complies with company standards and industry regulations.
Budget and Resource Management:
- Develop and manage budgets for avionics control systems projects, including resources, materials, and testing.
- Monitor expenses, track project costs, and ensure that projects are completed within financial constraints while maintaining high-quality standards.
- Manage resource allocation effectively, ensuring the appropriate personnel and materials are available to meet project deadlines.
Skills and Knowledge Required:
- Extensive knowledge of avionics control systems, including autopilot, flight management systems, navigation systems, and communication systems.
- Expertise in avionics system integration with aircraft subsystems, such as propulsion, sensors, and flight controls.
- Strong understanding of regulatory requirements and safety standards for avionics control systems (e.g., FAA, EASA).
- Proven leadership skills with experience managing teams and driving large-scale avionics projects.
- In-depth experience with system testing, validation, and performance optimization of avionics control systems.
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities, with the ability to diagnose and resolve complex avionics system issues.
- Ability to manage cross-functional teams, track project progress, and manage timelines, resources, and budgets.
- Excellent communication skills to present technical data, reports, and findings to management, cross-functional teams, and regulatory bodies.
Key Focus Areas:
Avionics and Flight Control Systems:
Leading the design, integration, and optimization of advanced avionics and flight control systems.- Ensuring compliance with industry standards (e.g., DO-178C, DO-254) while driving system performance enhancements.
Safety and Emergency Systems:
Overseeing the development and validation of safety-critical systems, including fire suppression, oxygen delivery, and emergency evacuation mechanisms.- Implementing advanced risk mitigation and fail-safe strategies to enhance system reliability.
Precision Instrumentation:
Managing the calibration, testing, and optimization of high-precision instruments for navigation, communication, and control systems.- Driving innovative solutions to improve instrumentat
Educational Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related technical field.
- Relevant certifications (e.g., FAA certifications, Six Sigma, or project management certifications) are a plus.
Experience:
- 7+ years of experience in avionics systems, flight control systems, or related fields, with at least 3 years in a senior or leadership role.
- Proven track record of designing, integrating, and optimizing avionics control systems and flight management systems.
- Experience in troubleshooting, testing, and validating avionics control systems, including complex diagnostics and resolution of system issues.
- Significant experience in managing large projects, including budgeting, resource allocation, and overseeing cross-functional teams.
- Experience working with regulatory bodies to ensure avionics systems meet required certifications and safety standards.
Tools and Technologies:
- Proficiency with avionics testing and diagnostic tools, including simulators, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, and system modeling software (e.g., MATLAB, Simulink).
- Familiarity with performance monitoring and diagnostic tools used in avionics systems.
- Experience with data analysis and reporting software for system performance analysis.
Other Requirements:
- Strong leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage and motivate a team.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and balance technical leadership with day-to-day system operations.
- A commitment to ensuring high standards of safety, performance, and regulatory compliance in avionics control systems.
- Willingness to travel to aircraft facilities or testing locations as needed.