Flight Control & Avionics Hardware – Responsible Engineer

This role is responsible for owning the spiral development lifecycle of custom flight control hardware and avionics components across Griffon Aerospace's UAS portfolio. You will lead design, analysis, and iterative development of the avionics stack, including processing, sensor, power, and interface subsystems, and ensure reliability and airworthiness from concept through fielded sustainment. You will also manage root-cause investigations, corrective actions, engineering changes, supplier oversight, and certification support, working hands-on at the bench or flight line as well as at a desk running analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• # – Lead design, analysis, and iterative spiral development of custom flight control hardware and the avionics stack, including processing, sensor, power, and interface subsystems.
• # – Own root-cause investigations and corrective actions for hardware issues identified in test or in the field; manage engineering change requests through the full approval cycle across each development spiral.
• # – Balance size, weight, power (SWaP), redundancy, and reliability trade-offs specific to UAV flight control requirements.
• # – Collaborate with firmware, software, airframe, and manufacturing teams to ensure flight control hardware and avionics integration meets platform-level requirements.
• # – Provide technical support to production, field service, and customer support teams for fielded avionics hardware.
• # – Develop and execute test plans for environmental, EMI/EMC, vibration, and thermal qualification of flight control hardware and avionics.
• # – Define and track reliability metrics (MTBF, MTBUR) and failure modes across fielded avionics hardware; drive design and process changes from test and field data.
• # – Oversee bench and flight test instrumentation, data collection, and reporting for avionics and flight control test campaigns.
• # – Maintain engineering documentation, schematics, BOMs, and interface control documents in compliance with applicable military and industry standards.
• # – Prepare technical substantiation, test reports, and compliance evidence for customer and regulatory review.
• # – Identify, qualify, and manage suppliers of avionics components, custom PCBs, and flight control hardware, including source inspections and incoming quality requirements.
• # – Manage supplier corrective action requests (SCARs) and work with vendors to resolve quality, cost, and schedule issues.
• # – Support make/buy decisions and second-source strategies to reduce supply chain risk for critical flight control and avionics components.

Requirements

• # – Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• # – 7+ years of experience in electrical/avionics hardware design, development, or sustaining engineering, with direct hands-on experience in flight control or embedded avionics hardware.
• # – Demonstrated experience taking hardware through a qualification or certification process.
• # – Experience managing suppliers or vendors for custom PCBs or critical electronic components.
• # – Working knowledge of reliability engineering principles (FMEA, root-cause analysis, MTBF/MTBUR).
• # – Proficiency with EDA/schematic capture tools (e.g., Altium, OrCAD, or equivalent) and engineering documentation/PLM systems.
• # – Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing technical reports and customer-facing documentation.
• # – U.S. Citizenship required; ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Nice to have

• # – Experience with UAV/UAS flight control systems, autopilots, or other small, high-reliability embedded avionics.
• # – Familiarity with military airworthiness or certification standards (e.g., MIL-HDBK-516, DO-254, DO-160, AS9100 quality systems).
• # – Experience with avionics test bench design, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems.
• # – Background supporting DoD or government aerospace programs.
• # – Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and clearance level
• Comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and 10 federal holidays
• Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates