Avionics Systems Architect

We’re looking for an Avionics Architecture Lead Engineer to own the end-to-end avionics system design for our autonomous aircraft. You will define the architecture, manage key avionics subcontractors, and ensure the system meets FAA certification requirements. This is a hands-on technical leadership role for a self-starter who can zoom from high-level architecture down into ICD details, test plans, and flight-test findings. What You’ll Do Own the avionics architecture. Define the end-to-end avionics system, including mission computers, navigation, communications, surveillance, and payload interfaces. Select network topologies (ARINC 664/AFDX, TSN Ethernet, ARINC 429, CAN, etc.) and define redundancy, partitioning, and data flows. Lead supplier & subcontractor integration. Serve as primary technical point of contact for avionics vendors and integrators. Drive SOWs, technical requirements, ICDs, and acceptance criteria. Review vendor designs, safety artifacts, and test results; hold them accountable to cost/schedule/technical performance. Ensure FAA airworthiness compliance. Architect the system in accordance with ARP 4754A/4761, DO-178C, DO-254, DO-160, and applicable Part 23/25 guidance. Support System Safety in the development and maintenance system-level requirements, safety analyses (FHA, PSSA, SSA), and certification plans. Drive verification & validation. Develop system-level test plans, HIL/LRU integration plans, and test objectives. Work with test and flight teams to triage anomalies, root-cause issues, and feed fixes back into the architecture. Collaborate across the stack. Partner with Autonomy, GNC, Flight Controls, and Cyber teams to ensure avionics supports robust, resilient autonomous operations. Communicate clearly with leadership on risk, mitigations, and tradeoffs. B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field. 8+ years of relevant experience in avionics systems design and integration on certificated aircraft. Proven experience with FAA certification efforts, including hands-on work with some combination of: ARP 4754A / ARP 4761 DO-178C (software) DO-254 (hardware) DO-160 environmental testing Part 23 or Part 25 certification projects Strong systems engineering fundamentals: requirements development, ICDs, safety analysis, verification planning. Demonstrated experience integrating avionics LRUs, networks, and sensors in a lab or flight-test environment. Track record of leading and managing subcontractors or vendors—able to push back technically and keep them aligned to mission and schedule. Excellent communication skills; comfortable presenting architecture and certification status to both engineers and non-technical stakeholders. U.S. Person, eligible to obtain a DoD Secret clearance. Bonus Points Experience with defense-focused avionics or mission systems (Link-16, SATCOM, tactical radios, radar, EO/IR, etc.). Prior work on UAS, optionally-piloted, or highly autonomous aircraft. Familiarity with GRA, MOSA, or SOSA standards and modular open-systems architectures. MBSE experience (SysML, Cameo/MagicDraw) linking avionics design to the broader digital thread. FAA DER and/or E-UM Ticket in applicable Airworthiness Standards