Avionics Engineer

Description

Position Overview

This position provides engineering, systems integration, airworthiness, and lifecycle support to U.S. Air Force acquisition programs across the full Systems Engineering V-model. The role supports development, modernization, sustainment, and certification activities for complex aircraft systems, subsystems, avionics, and mission equipment. The engineer applies DoD, USAF, and industry-standard engineering principles to ensure Operational Safety, Suitability, and Effectiveness (OSS&E), airworthiness compliance, and mission-ready capability for current and future weapon systems.

This position is aligned with PWS Sections 3.5.1 and 3.5.3 and provides both general systems engineering support and specialized avionics engineering support as required.

Key Responsibilities

Systems Engineering and Airworthiness Support

• Apply DoD, Air Force, and engineering principles to improve capability, performance, and sustainability of fielded and emerging aircraft systems.
• Support USAF airworthiness processes using MIL-HDBK-516C criteria; monitor certification status; support flight authorization packages; interpret and implement AFPD 62-6, associated AFIs, and Airworthiness Bulletins.
• Support System Integrity Programs including MECSIP, critical safety item (CSI) management, and related airworthiness risk analyses.
• Translate operational user requirements into system-level requirements to support design, development, testing, evaluation, sustainment, and fielding of weapon systems.
• Conduct mission, technical, and trade-off analyses for upgrades, modifications, and new system concepts.
• Provide rapid response engineering analysis to identify root causes, impacts, and corrective actions for system deficiencies and supportability challenges.
• Support system safety engineering activities including mishap risk assessments, review of contractor safety proposals, and resolution of high-priority safety issues.
• Conduct material solution analyses, support design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FCA, PCA, PMRs), and develop associated documentation.
• Contribute to OSS&E compliance by supporting baseline updates, metric reporting, risk assessments, and LCSE process implementation across system lifecycles.
• Participate in AFSO21 and value stream mapping initiatives to optimize engineering and program processes.
  

Acquisition and Program Documentation

Support development, review, and updates of program documentation including:

• Requirements documents: ICD, ORD/CDD/CPD, CONOPS, SRD, System Specifications
• Acquisition products: RFPs, SEPs, TEMPs, PESHE, PPP, TTPs, TA/CP, IAS, SCGs
• Engineering and technical documents: studies, analyses, evaluations, ATPs, design artifacts
• Compliance assessments: CCA, CBRN Survivability, Spectrum Supportability, Data Rights Strategy
• Technical readiness and manufacturing assessments (TRA, MRA)

Provide technical inputs for milestone decision packages, staff summaries, executive briefings, and cost/schedule/performance trades.

Deficiency, Modification, and Configuration Management Support

• Analyze equipment and software deficiencies, recommend corrective actions, and assist in integration and test of solutions.
• Support evaluation of ACSNs, ECPs, CCPs, FAA bulletins, DMSMS issues, and associated contractor proposals.
• Support development and assessment of IMP, IMS, and Systems Engineering Detail Schedules.
• Assist in configuration, data, and risk management planning and execution.
• Participate in interface control meetings, audits, program management reviews, and technical working groups.

Avionics Engineering Responsibilities

Avionics Systems Development, Integration, and Certification

• Provide avionics engineering expertise across requirements definition, subsystem development, modeling and simulation, integration, test and evaluation, sustainment, and airworthiness certification.
• Support Aircraft Information Management Systems (AIMS), spectrum management requirements, testing, and certification.
• Apply CNS/ATM policies and regulations; develop compliance matrices and support verification activities.
• Review and develop avionics-related program documentation including system/subsystem specifications.

Avionics Analysis and Technical Evaluation

• Conduct analyses of avionics interfaces, laser systems, multiplex bus communications, BIT performance, and subsystem threat assessments.
• Assess state-of-the-art technologies, system feasibility, and improvement opportunities.
• Review system-specific test plans; participate in component, subsystem, and full system testing.

Controls, Buses, and Displays (Additional Duties for Assigned Personnel)

• Demonstrate knowledge of airborne controls and displays, cockpit displays, operator stations, data bus architectures (MIL-STD-1553B, ARINC-429), and data recording systems.
• Review technical documentation for specification and airworthiness compliance; develop findings and recommended changes.
• Support technical interchange meetings regarding hardware/software updates to controls, displays, data buses, and associated avionics systems.
• Support requirements development for future upgrades and assess airworthiness documentation in accordance with AFPD 62-6.

Requirements

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline with ABET Certification.
• Experience supporting DoD or USAF acquisition, engineering, or sustainment programs.
• Knowledge of systems engineering practices, airworthiness criteria, and weapon system lifecycle processes.
• Familiarity with MIL-HDBK-516C, OSS&E, LCSE, and relevant Air Force Instructions.
• Ability to analyze complex technical data, conduct trade studies, and generate engineering recommendations.
• Experience supporting technical reviews, deficiency analyses, and engineering documentation development.

Desired

• Experience in avionics engineering, integration, or certification activities.
• Understanding of AIMS, CNS/ATM, data bus architectures, controls and displays, and avionics cyber and spectrum requirements.
• Experience evaluating ECPs, ACSNs, FAA bulletins, and DMSMS risk.
• Experience supporting USAF configuration management, risk management, and system safety processes.
• Prior experience in USAF program offices or DoD acquisition environments.
  

Competencies

• Analytical problem solving and engineering judgment
• Requirements development and traceability
• Airworthiness and OSS&E compliance
• Technical writing and documentation
• Stakeholder coordination and technical communication
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced acquisition environment