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Avionics Test Manager Verified today

Ursa Major · Longmont, CO · Electronics · first seen 2026-09-30
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About the Role

Mission-critical avionics require equally capable test systems to verify performance, reliability, and production readiness. You will lead and contribute directly to the design, development, integration, and maintenance of Special Test Equipment (STE) and Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) used to develop, qualify, and produce advanced aerospace and defense avionics.

This role is roughly half technical and half managerial. You will spend approximately 50% of your time as a hands-on senior test engineer, designing interface electronics, fixtures, and test architectures, troubleshooting complex issues, and participating in design reviews. The other 50% focuses on leading a small test engineering team, managing priorities and schedules, coordinating across programs, and driving test strategy and process improvements.

Technical Responsibilities (~50%)

  • Design, develop, integrate, and maintain ATE, STE, and EGSE for avionics development, qualification, and production.
  • Create and review schematics, wiring diagrams, cable assemblies, interface electronics, fixtures, and harnesses for automated test systems.
  • Select, integrate, and configure laboratory instrumentation and communication interfaces into automated test solutions.
  • Support HIL, qualification, environmental, and production acceptance testing for processor-based, FPGA-based, and mixed-signal avionics assemblies.
  • Troubleshoot complex hardware and hardware/software integration issues; lead bring-up, verification, and validation of new test equipment.
  • Lead technical reviews, trade studies, and failure investigations related to test systems.

Leadership & Program Execution (~50%)

  • Lead and mentor a small test engineering team, balancing hands-on contributions with coaching, task assignment, and performance feedback.
  • Plan and prioritize test engineering work across multiple programs; own test hardware schedules, deliverables, risk management, and status communication.
  • Collaborate with Test Software, Flight Software, FPGA, Electrical Design, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Program Management to deliver integrated and production-ready test solutions.
  • Drive Root Cause and Corrective Action for test equipment and product issues and ensure clear documentation and communication of findings.
  • Establish and improve standards, processes, and metrics for test hardware design, documentation, configuration management, and equipment reliability.
  • Champion continuous improvement in test capability, automation, reuse, and throughput; support audits and reviews related to test systems and processes.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline.
  • 6 years of experience developing electrical test equipment, laboratory instrumentation systems, or automated hardware test solutions, including significant experience with ATE/STE/EGSE for complex electronics.
  • Demonstrated hands-on expertise in mixed-signal circuit design and test hardware (analog/digital, signal integrity, grounding, power distribution, PCB layout principles).
  • Demonstrated hands-on expertise in integrating commercial instrumentation (oscilloscopes, DMMs, power supplies, loads, signal generators, switching systems, DAQ) into automated test systems.
  • Experience developing schematics, wiring diagrams, cable assemblies, and interface control documents.
  • Strong experience troubleshooting complex electrical hardware and hardware/software integration issues in automated test environments.
  • Knowledge of communication interfaces such as SPI, I²C, UART, CAN, Ethernet, USB, RS-422/485, PXI, and/or GPIB.
  • 1-3+ years of experience in a leadership capacity (e.g., technical lead, project lead, or direct people manager) with evidence of successful project delivery and team development.
  • Proven ability to balance personal technical contributions with planning, coordination, and stakeholder communication responsibilities.
  • Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills, including the ability to explain technical tradeoffs and risk in a clear, concise way.
  • Must be a U.S. Person with the ability to perform work subject to ITAR/EAR regulations and applicable program requirements.

Desirable Experience

  • Experience developing Automated Test Equipment (ATE), Special Test Equipment (STE), or Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) for aerospace or defense systems.
  • Experience supporting FPGA-based electronics, embedded systems, or mission-critical avionics hardware.
  • Experience with high-reliability electronic hardware qualification, acceptance testing, and environmental testing.
  • Experience designing custom interface electronics, relay switching matrices, signal conditioning circuits, and power control hardware.
  • Experience using schematic capture and PCB layout tools such as Altium Designer, KiCad, Cadence Allegro, or equivalent.
  • Familiarity with IPC Class 3 workmanship standards and aerospace manufacturing practices.
  • Experience supporting EMI/EMC testing and hardware qualification to military or aerospace standards.
  • Experience collaborating with automated test software development teams using LabVIEW, TestStand, Python, C#, or similar technologies.
  • Active U.S. Department of Defense Security Clearance or the ability to obtain one.

Compensation and Employment

Base compensation range: $132,000 to $165,000, determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Classification: Full-time Exempt

Benefits include unlimited PTO, paid parental and adoptive leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, tax advantage accounts (HSA/FSA), employer-paid short and long-term disability and basic life/AD&D insurance, additional voluntary coverage options, EAP program, and 401k with company match.