Company Overview
[$COMPANY_OVERVIEW]
Role Overview
[$COMPANY_NAME] is hiring a Junior Avionics Engineer to join our embedded systems team supporting development, integration, and verification of avionics hardware and software. In this hands-on role you will contribute to avionics subsystems—flight controls, navigation, communication, and health monitoring—under senior engineering oversight. You will execute tasks across requirements traceability, embedded software implementation in C/C++, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, and documentation compliant with aerospace standards (DO-178C, ARP4754). This position is ideal for entry-level engineers who are building proficiency in real-time embedded development, avionics protocols, and certification-oriented engineering practices.
Responsibilities
- Implement and unit-test embedded C/C++ software components for avionics subsystems on microcontrollers and RTOS platforms (e.g., FreeRTOS, VxWorks).
- Support integration of avionics hardware (MCUs, FPGAs, sensors, radios) and avionics networks (ARINC 429/664, MIL-STD-1553, CAN) into system-level builds.
- Develop and maintain requirements, design notes, and traceability artifacts using DOORS, Jama, or similar tools under senior engineer guidance.
- Create and execute test cases for module, integration, and system validation on HIL setups and bench test rigs; capture results and file anomaly reports.
- Participate in code reviews, design reviews, and architecture decision records (ADRs) to learn and contribute to system design and maintainability.
- Support CI/CD pipelines for embedded builds and automated testing (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI) including regression test automation and test harness scripting (Python, Bash).
- Collaborate with systems engineering to update requirements and support verification and validation (V&V) activities aligned to ARP4754/DO-178C processes.
- Assist in preparing technical data packages and certification artifacts for internal review and regulatory submission.
Required and Preferred Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Computer, or Systems Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
- 0–2 years professional experience in embedded systems, avionics, or related aerospace projects (internships and co-ops count).
- Proficient in C and C++ for embedded targets; strong understanding of pointers, memory management, and concurrency in constrained environments.
- Familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS) concepts and embedded toolchains (GCC, arm-none-eabi, vendor toolchains).
- Basic understanding of avionics protocols such as ARINC 429, ARINC 664 (AFDX), MIL-STD-1553, or CAN.
- Knowledge of software verification techniques: unit testing, integration testing, static analysis, and use of test frameworks.
- Strong debugging skills using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG/SWD debuggers, and serial logging.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills and capability to produce engineering documentation.
Preferred:
- Familiarity with aerospace standards and lifecycle models: DO-178C, DO-254, ARP4754, ISO 9001.
- Experience with hardware design principles, basic FPGA/HDL exposure (VHDL/Verilog) or hands-on with microcontroller peripherals (UART, SPI, I2C, ADC).
- Experience with MATLAB/Simulink model-based design and automatic code generation workflows.
- Exposure to configuration management and requirements tools (Jira, Git, DOORS).
- Prior internship or project experience with HIL, SIL, or test automation frameworks.
- Security-minded development practices, familiarity with SBOMs and secure coding standards.
- Active U.S. work authorization or ability to obtain required export control clearances, if applicable.
Technical Skills and Relevant Technologies
- Embedded programming: C, C++, CMSIS, bare-metal and RTOS-based development.
- Microcontrollers and architectures: ARM Cortex-M/R/A families, Renesas, Microchip/Atmel.
- Avionics interfaces: ARINC 429/664, AFDX, MIL-STD-1553, CAN, RS-232/422.
- Hardware debugging: JTAG, SWD, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, bench instrumentation.
- Toolchain and CI: GCC toolchains, IAR, Keil, Git, Jenkins/GitLab CI, build system scripting.
- Testing and verification: HIL/SIL frameworks, Vector CANoe, National Instruments PXI/DAQ, Python for test automation.
- Model-based tools and FPGA: MATLAB/Simulink, Xilinx/Intel FPGA toolchains (optional).
- Standards & processes: DO-178C/DO-254 awareness, requirements traceability, safety-critical documentation.
Soft Skills and Cultural Fit
- Demonstrated aptitude for learning complex systems quickly and soliciting mentorship from senior engineers.
- Detail-oriented with a disciplined approach to documentation, traceability, and reproducible test results.
- Collaborative communicator who can present technical findings to cross-functional teams (systems, hardware, test, certification).
- Proactive problem-solver comfortable debugging ambiguous failures using telemetry, logs, and instrumentation.
- Committed to safety-first engineering and engineering ethics in aviation systems.
- Curiosity and growth mindset: eagerness to obtain additional training/certifications (DO-178C, FAA-related courses).
Benefits and Perks
Salary: [$SALARY_RANGE]
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans; employer-paid life and disability coverage.
- 401(k) with company match and financial planning resources.
- Generous PTO, paid parental leave, and paid volunteer days.
- Professional development budget and paid training for avionics standards (DO-178C, ARP4754).
- Access to lab facilities, HIL benches, and mentorship programs with senior avionics engineers.
- Relocation assistance for candidates moving to [$COMPANY_LOCATION], where applicable.
Equal Opportunity Statement
[$COMPANY_NAME] is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Location
This role is based in [$COMPANY_LOCATION] and requires on-site presence for lab work, hardware integration, and test activities. Standard work schedule includes time in the integration lab and collaboration with cross-functional teams; occasional travel to suppliers or test facilities may be required.