Avionics & Communication - IPT Head

Katalyst CRO; Montreal (administrative region); On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Katalyst CRO is seeking an experienced Avionics IPT Lead to drive the avionics and communication domain of our aircraft program in Montreal.

You will own scope, schedule, cost, and quality for avionics, coordinate across disciplines, and interface with customers and suppliers. Knowledge of DO-178C/DO-254, ARP4754A, ARP4761 is required.

Experience leading large cross‑functional teams on NPD programs, and familiarity with MBSE tools is desirable.

Qualifications

• 12-18+ years in aerospace/aviation domain.
• Experience leading IPTs or large cross-functional teams is mandatory.
• Strong exposure to avionics system development lifecycle and aircraft NPD programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Avionics & Communication IPT, ensuring alignment with overall aircraft program objectives.
• Own scope, schedule, cost, and quality deliverables for avionics systems.
• Coordinate across multi-disciplinary teams (systems, hardware, software, V&V, certification).
• Act as the primary interface with customer, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
• Lead certification activities in line with FAA/EASA/DGCA regulations and manage PSAC, PHAC, PDR/CDR reviews.

Skills

Avionics architectures

Communication protocols

System integration

DO-178C

ARINC 429/664

MBSE

Project leadership

V&V coordination

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in Aerospace Engineering

Electrical/Avionics Engineering

Tools

Cameo

Rhapsody

Area: 3DX/Teamcenter

Job description

• Lead the Avionics & Communication IPT, ensuring alignment with overall aircraft program objectives.
• Own scope, schedule, cost, and quality deliverables for avionics systems.
• Coordinate across multi-disciplinary teams (systems, hardware, software, V&V, certification).
• Act as the primary interface with customer, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
• Communication systems (VHF/UHF, SATCOM, data links)
• Flight control & monitoring interfaces
• Drive system-level trade studies, technology selection, and interface definitions.
• Ensure system design complies with: oARP4754A / ARP4761
• DO-178C (Software)
• Develop and review:
• System Requirements (SRD)
• Interface Control Documents (ICD)

Responsibilities

Program & IPT Leadership:

• Lead the Avionics & Communication IPT, ensuring alignment with overall aircraft program objectives.
• Own scope, schedule, cost, and quality deliverables for avionics systems.
• Coordinate across multi-disciplinary teams (systems, hardware, software, V&V, certification).
• Act as the primary interface with customer, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.

System Architecture & Design:

• Define avionics system architecture, including:
• Communication systems (VHF/UHF, SATCOM, data links)
• Navigation systems (GNSS, INS, radio navigation aids)
• Flight control & monitoring interfaces
• Drive system-level trade studies, technology selection, and interface definitions.
• Ensure system design complies with: oARP4754A / ARP4761
• DO-178C (Software)
• DO-254 (Hardware)
• Develop and review:
• System Requirements (SRD)
• Interface Control Documents (ICD)
• Architecture documents

Integration & Validation:

• Lead avionics system integration activities (LRU/system level).
• Oversee verification & validation (V&V) strategy and execution:
• HIL/SIL simulations
• Ground & flight testing support.
• Ensure proper system interoperability across subsystems (EWIS, power, cockpit systems).

Certification & Compliance:

• Drive certification activities in line with:
• FAA / EASA / DGCA regulations
• Manage certification artifacts:
• PSAC, PHAC, PDR/CDR reviews
• Compliance matrices
• Test plans & reports
• Interface with DERs, ARs, and certification authorities.

Stakeholder & Customer Management:

• Act as technical focal point for avionics domain.
• Present design progress, risks, and mitigation plans to stakeholders.
• Support proposal/RFQ responses, estimation, and technical solutioning.

Risk & Configuration Management:

• Identify and mitigate technical risks and integration issues.
• Ensure adherence to configuration management and change control processes.
• Manage dependencies across IPTs (structures, propulsion, electrical).

Experience:

• 12-18+ years in aerospace/aviation domain.
• Strong exposure to:
• Avionics system development lifecycle
• Aircraft NPD programs.
• Experience in leading IPTs or large cross-functional teams is mandatory.

Technical Skills:

• Strong knowledge of:
• Avionics architectures & communication protocols (ARINC 429/664, CAN)
• Flight deck systems & avionics integration
• Certification standards (DO-178C, DO-254, ARP4754A)

Familiarity with:

• MBSE tools (e.g., Cameo, Rhapsody)
• Simulation/integration environments

Understanding Of

• EWIS integration
• Electrical power systems interface with avionics

Leadership & Soft Skills

• Strong program leadership and decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent stakeholder communication skills.
• Ability to manage distributed (onsite-offshore) teams.
• Strong problem-solving and risk management mindset.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with eVTOL / UAV / advanced air mobility programs.
• Exposure to cybersecurity in avionics (DO-326A).
• Knowledge of digital thread / PLM environments (3DX, Teamcenter).

Key Deliverables:

• Avionics system architecture and design baseline.
• Integrated and validated avionics systems.
• Certification-ready documentation & compliance artifacts.
• On-time IPT deliverables aligned with program milestones

Reporting Structure:

• Reports to: Program Manager / Chief Engineer.
• Leads: Avionics IPT team (System, Design, V&V, Certification engineers).

Qualification:

• Bachelor's / Master's in:
• Aerospace Engineering.
• Electronics & Communication.
• Avionics / Electrical Engineering.