Avionics Systems Engineer – Flight Safety Systems (FTS / AFSS)

About The Role:

As an Avionics Systems Engineer, you will be responsible for owning the design, integration, testing, and certification of the Flight Termination System (FTS) hardware and software for advanced flight vehicles. You will work closely with cross-functional teams across avionics, electrical, mechanical, and ground systems engineering to ensure seamless system integration and compliance with range safety requirements. In this role, you will coordinate with regulatory authorities, manage system interfaces, and support overall vehicle readiness through development, testing, and flight operations. You will also serve as the technical authority for all Flight Termination System-related activities, ensuring system reliability, documentation, and mission success.

Responsibilities:

• Own the full life cycle of the Flight Termination System including design, build, test, integration, and flight
• Own the top level system design of the FTS inclusive of mechanical and electrical hardware and CONOPs
• Own the interfaces between the FTS and the vehicle inclusive of avionics, fluid, and structural interfaces
• Own the FTS interface to the Flight Test Range, inclusive of communications, requirements tailoring, documentation, and high level strategy
• Own the procurement of critical FTS components
• Own the qualification and acceptance testing campaign planning and execution
• Own high level integration planning
• Own operational procedure creation to ensure the successful operation of the system in the field
• Support Flight safety analysis that works hand in hand with the FTS to maintain safe flight operations
• Collaborate with range safety to create review and approve FTS documentation and develop FTS requirements on future vehicles
• Clear communication of system status to leadership and flight operations

Requirements:

• 5+ Years of aerospace high criticality hardware experience
• A degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace engineering, Math, physics or related field
• Experience in hardware design (electrical and/or mechanical) 

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Prior experience with range safety and RCC-319
• Experience with aircraft prototype development, including releasing hardware designs, writing and releasing work instructions, planning and executing test plans 
• Knowledge of RF system design including link budgets, antenna design, and antenna placement 
• Experience collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams 
• Experience with test planning and execution 
• Knowledge of technical risk management 
• Ability to communicate technical challenges and guidance to varied audiences to explain rationale and/or resolve concerns 
• Ability to work on their own initiative and prioritize tasking to fit within the business goals 
• Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities 
• Meticulous attention to detail and a high level of motivation 
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance
• Experience architecting avionics systems with COTS and in-house hardware 
• Experience with environmental testing such as vibration, thermal, and shock 
• Experience with government agencies 
• Experience with Autonomous Flight Safety Systems (AFSS)