Avionics Design Manager

The future of aerospace and defense starts here.

Ursa Major was founded to revolutionize how America and its allies access and apply high-performance propulsion, from hypersonics to solid rocket motors, satellite maneuvering and launch. We design and deliver propulsion and defense systems that solve the most urgent and critical national security demands.

The Avionics Manager is a key engineering leadership role responsible for leading an integrated team focused on FPGA design and verification, firmware/software development, and avionics test engineering in support of advanced aerospace and defense systems.

The organization is responsible for developing FPGA-based digital designs, verification environments, embedded and test software, and automated electrical test solutions used to develop, qualify, and produce mission-critical avionics hardware. The team also develops and maintains component-level test equipment, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) capabilities, automated acceptance and qualification test systems, and provides technical oversight of subcontracted avionics development and test activities.

As an Avionics Manager, you will lead a multidisciplinary team of FPGA Design Engineers, FPGA Verification Engineers, Firmware/Test Software Engineers, and Electrical Test Engineers responsible for delivering reliable, high-quality avionics solutions that meet demanding technical, schedule, and mission requirements. You will be responsible for technical execution, resource planning, staffing, process improvement, and cross-functional coordination across Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, and Program Management.

Responsibilities:

• Lead an integrated engineering organization responsible for FPGA design, FPGA verification, firmware/software development, and avionics test engineering.
• Manage the development, integration, verification, qualification, and transition to production of avionics hardware and associated software throughout the product lifecycle.
• Ensure robust engineering processes, design reviews, verification plans, configuration management, and quality standards are consistently applied while maintaining the agility required to meet program schedules.
• Provide technical leadership and organizational direction for FPGA architecture, verification strategy, automated test development, and system integration activities.
• Manage team staffing, workload balancing, hiring, mentoring, and employee development across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Develop and maintain department resource plans aligned with program priorities and strategic business objectives.
• Own department schedule execution, technical performance, and milestone achievement across multiple programs.
• Monitor and communicate program health, technical risks, staffing needs, and execution status to Avionics Director.
• Identify technical, schedule, and cost risks and drive mitigation plans across engineering organizations.
• Foster collaboration between Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Program Management to improve product development and production readiness.
• Support proposal efforts, technology roadmaps, make/buy decisions, and strategic planning for avionics development capabilities.
• Provide technical oversight of subcontractors and suppliers supporting FPGA, firmware, and avionics test development.
• Required Qualifications: Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of experience developing FPGA-based digital systems, embedded software, avionics electronics, or automated test systems.
• 3+ years of engineering leadership experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex hardware/software development efforts from concept through qualification and production.
• Strong understanding of FPGA development, digital design, verification methodologies, embedded software, and electrical test systems.
• Experience leading cross-functional engineering teams in a fast-paced development environment.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Must be a U.S. Person with the ability to perform work subject to ITAR/EAR regulations and applicable program requirements.
• Preferred Experience: Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical field.
• Experience developing avionics or mission electronics for aerospace or defense applications.
• Experience with FPGA development and verification methodologies, including SystemVerilog and UVM.
• Experience managing embedded software and automated test software development.
• Familiarity with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), qualification testing, and environmental testing of electronic hardware.
• Experience with configuration management, requirements traceability, and engineering lifecycle processes.
• Experience managing technical execution across multiple concurrent programs.
• Project or program management experience.
• Active or ability to obtain a U.S. Department of Defense Security Clearance.

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $160,000 - $200,000, determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. What we can’t quantify for you are the exciting challenges, supportive team, and amazing culture we enjoy.

Classification: Full-time Exempt