Director of Avionics Hardware Development
$192,500–$245,971 year
On-site · El Segundo, California, United States
Job Summary
Lead and own the end-to-end avionics hardware development program for Varda’s satellite bus, reentry capsule, and payloads, directing a multi-disciplinary team through feasibility, architecture, prototype, qualification, manufacturing, and flight. Drive hardware from concept through schematic/layout review, prototyping, environmental qualification, and flight acceptance; define roadmaps, enforce design rules and gates, and collaborate with flight software, GNC, structures, thermal, and test to resolve interfaces. Build scalable infrastructure for environmental testing and manufacturing, develop robust test software, and guide the team to high-rate production. Mentor engineers, foster autonomous, high-ownership execution, and ensure mission success with technical judgment and strategic decision-making.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related field
- 10+ years of experience developing electronic hardware for mission-critical applications in harsh environments (space, aviation, defense, or robotics)
- Demonstrated experience leading and managing multi-disciplinary hardware engineering teams (5+ direct/indirect reports)
- Deep technical fluency across at least three of: power electronics, compute, RF, mixed-signal design, or GNC sensor and actuators
- Track record driving hardware through the full product lifecycle - from requirements and architecture through qualification, manufacturing, and operations
- Experience with environmental test campaigns (thermal cycling, TVAC, vibe, shock, EMI/EMC) and space qualification standards
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