Senior Avionics Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Avionics Engineer

Job Description

Join an innovative team developing next-generation ultra-long endurance aircraft. We are seeking a hands-on Avionics Engineer to lead the completion of design, integration, and testing of aircraft avionics and electrical systems. This role is integral to transitioning complex avionics systems from schematics to flight-ready hardware and involves close collaboration with engineers and technicians.

Responsibilities

• Lead the completion of avionics and electrical system design, including electrical power systems and data systems.
• Develop and maintain electrical schematics and wiring harness designs.
• Perform electrical power distribution analysis, circuit sizing, and protection design.
• Conduct data bus architecture and signal integrity analysis.
• Develop vehicle integration and test activities.
• Serve as a technical liaison between engineering and technicians.
• Maintain harness drawings and implement redlines and engineering updates.
• Provide hands-on support for harness fabrication and system bring-up.
• Support sensor integration, data acquisition (DAQ), and debug.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• Experience with electrical system design and schematic capture.
• Strong understanding of DC power distribution and circuit protection.
• Lead the completion of avionics and electrical system design, including electrical power systems and data systems.
• Familiarity with aircraft or vehicle data buses (CAN, RS-485, ARINC-429, or similar).
• Experience troubleshooting electrical and system integration issues.
• Ability to work independently with high-level direction and self-manage tasks.
• Comfortable working hands-on in lab, integration, and test environments.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Capital (Component Manager, Logic, Harness) or similar harness design tools.
• Knowledge of aircraft wiring standards such as IPC/WHMA-A-620 and AS50881.
• Familiarity with RF systems used for navigation or data links.
• Experience with aircraft or complex vehicle development programs.
• Experience supporting integration labs or flight test campaigns.

Work Environment

This is an onsite engineering role based in Sterling, Virginia, supporting active development hardware and integration labs. Engineers will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and may travel to flight-test locations for extended periods. Some hybrid flexibility may be available for the right candidate. The role requires hands-on work in lab, integration, and test environments.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Sterling, VA.

The pay range for this position is $100.00 - $130.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Sterling,VA.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 24, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.