Company Overview
[$COMPANY_OVERVIEW]
Role Overview
[$COMPANY_NAME] is hiring a Junior Avionics Engineer to join our avionics systems team based in [$COMPANY_LOCATION]. In this entry-level engineering role you will contribute to the design, integration, verification and sustainment of avionics hardware and embedded software for airborne systems. You will work under senior engineers to implement requirements-compliant firmware and test artifacts, perform laboratory and bench-level integration, and assist with certification activities following aerospace standards such as DO-178C and DO-254. This position is ideal for candidates with foundational experience in embedded C/C++, real-time operating systems (RTOS), digital and analog electronics, and avionics communication protocols.
Responsibilities
- Implement and unit-test embedded firmware components in C/C++ for flight avionics controllers under senior engineer guidance
- Assist in the development and maintenance of software requirements, design artifacts, and traceability matrices aligned with DO-178C processes
- Execute hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), bench, and integration test procedures; document results and raise discrepancy reports
- Integrate and validate avionics interfaces including ARINC 429, ARINC 664 (AFDX), MIL-STD-1553, CAN, and UART/SPI/I2C
- Support PCB bring-up and electronics troubleshooting using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG debuggers
- Work with model-based design artifacts (MATLAB/Simulink) to generate or validate test vectors and software-in-the-loop (SIL) tests
- Contribute to continuous integration pipelines that run unit tests, static analysis, and basic hardware regression suites
- Produce clear engineering documentation: test reports, lab notes, firmware release notes, and simple architecture diagrams
- Participate in design reviews, code reviews, and configuration management activities following company standards
Required and Preferred Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent practical experience
- 1+ years of hands-on experience or internships in embedded systems, avionics, robotics, or related domains
- Proficiency in C and C++ for embedded targets; familiarity with build systems (Make, CMake) and cross-compilation toolchains
- Practical knowledge of digital electronics, schematics, and PCB bring-up procedures
- Experience using oscilloscopes, multimeters, logic analyzers, and basic JTAG debugging
- Familiarity with at least one RTOS (FreeRTOS, VxWorks, RTEMS) or bare-metal scheduling techniques
- Working knowledge of avionics bus protocols (ARINC 429, MIL-STD-1553, CAN) or serial protocols (UART, SPI, I2C)
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and attention to traceable documentation
Preferred:
- Exposure to DO-178C/DO-254 lifecycle artifacts and certification support activities
- Experience with MATLAB/Simulink and auto-code generation workflows
- Familiarity with FPGA development (VHDL/Verilog) and toolchains (Xilinx, Intel)
- Knowledge of avionics networking (AFDX/ARINC 664) and Ethernet-based flight networks
- Experience with unit test frameworks (Unity, GoogleTest), static analysis tools (Cppcheck, Coverity), and code coverage tools
- Security and safety mindset, including familiarity with ARP4761/ARP4754A systems engineering concepts
Technical Skills and Relevant Technologies
- Embedded C/C++ development and cross-compilation for ARM, PowerPC, or similar MCUs
- Real-Time Operating Systems (FreeRTOS, VxWorks, RTEMS) and task scheduling
- Avionics communication standards: ARINC 429, ARINC 664 (AFDX), MIL-STD-1553, CAN
- Hardware bring-up and lab instrumentation: oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters, JTAG
- Model-based design: MATLAB/Simulink, Simulink Test, code generation workflows
- FPGA basics (VHDL/Verilog) and familiarity with synthesis/implementation flows preferred
- Version control and CI: Git, GitHub/GitLab, Jenkins/CircleCI for automated build/test pipelines
- Debugging and observability: GDB, OpenOCD, serial consoles, and basic telemetry interpretation
Soft Skills and Cultural Fit
- Demonstrated curiosity and rapid learning aptitude in embedded and avionics domains
- Collaborative mindset: willingness to take direction from senior engineers and actively seek feedback
- Strong documentation discipline and commitment to traceability required for regulated aerospace projects
- Analytical problem-solving: methodical approach to reproduce, isolate, and resolve hardware/software integration issues
- Effective communicator in cross-functional teams (systems engineering, hardware, test, certification)
- Professional integrity and accountability for test results, change requests, and configuration control
Benefits and Perks
Annual salary range: [$SALARY_RANGE]
Standard benefits and perks include:
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement plan with company matching
- Paid time off and paid parental leave
- Professional development stipend and paid certification training (DO-178C primers, MATLAB/Simulink courses)
- Commuter assistance or parking allowance for on-site employees
- Flexible work hours and employee assistance programs
- Opportunities for accelerated growth: mentorship, rotation across avionics subsystems, and career path to Sr. Avionics/Systems Engineer
Equal Opportunity Statement
[$COMPANY_NAME] is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Location
This is an on-site position located in [$COMPANY_LOCATION]. Candidates should be available to work at our [$COMPANY_LOCATION] facilities for lab integration, testing, and team collaboration. To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter describing your relevant experience and why you are interested in avionics engineering.