Senior Avionics and Embedded Systems Engineer

iO Associates; Lancashire; Hybrid; GBP 76,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

iO Associates seeks a hands-on avionics and embedded systems engineer to lead flight-critical avionics development, from architecture through verification and testing.

You will own hardware and software development and coordinate with sub-system teams to deliver robust, flight-ready avionics for demanding aerospace environments.

This role emphasizes technical ownership, collaboration with suppliers, and delivering integrated vehicle health, data acquisition, and GNC capabilities.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical, Electronics, Computer or Aerospace Engineering.
• Experience in avionics, embedded systems, flight software, or related hardware development.
• Experience with real flight hardware and end-to-end development from architecture to testing.

Responsibilities

• Lead avionics and embedded systems development from architecture to testing.
• Develop vehicle avionics architecture including flight computers and power systems.
• Design and test embedded software/firmware for mission-critical apps.
• Develop data acquisition, telemetry, command, and vehicle health systems.
• Support guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) systems development.
• Collaborate with suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Design verification procedures, test plans, and acceptance criteria.

Skills

Avionics

Embedded systems

Flight software

Aerospace electronics

Hardware development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering / Electronics Engineering / Computer Engineering / Aerospace Engineering

Tools

PCB design tools

Laboratory test equipment

Version control (Git)

Job description

You'll lead the development of flight-critical avionics and embedded systems from early architecture and requirements through hardware and software development, integration, and testing.

You'll work closely with sub-system teams to develop robust, reliable, and flight-ready avionics capable of operating through one of the most demanding environments in aerospace, from launch through atmospheric reentry and recovery.

This is a hands-on engineering role for someone who wants genuine technical ownership and enjoys complex avionics and embedded systems challenges

What You'll Do

• Lead the avionics and embedded systems development of reentry vehicles, from initial architecture and concept studies through detailed design, integration and testing
• Develop the vehicle avionics architecture, including flight computers, power systems, sensors, actuators, communications, data acquisition, and associated embedded electronics.
• Design, develop, integrate, and test embedded software and firmware for mission-critical applications.
• Develop and implement data acquisition, telemetry, command, control, and vehicle health-monitoring systems.
• Support the development and integration of guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) systems.
• Support EMC/EMI, grounding, shielding, and electrical architecture development.
• Develop verification procedures, test plans, and acceptance criteria for avionics hardware and embedded software.
• Work closely with suppliers and manufacturing partners when required.

What We're Looking For

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Professional experience in avionics, embedded systems, flight software, aerospace electronics, or related hardware development.
• Experience designing and developing real flight hardware, not only software or simulations.
• Ability to take ownership of avionics development from architecture and requirements through integration, testing, and flight.
• Experience with PCB design, and laboratory test equipment.
• Experience with avionics interfaces and communication protocols.
• Understanding of system-level electrical architecture, power distribution, signal integrity, EMC/EMI, and grounding.
• Experience with version control, software development workflows, and engineering documentation.
• Ability to work across disciplines and communicate effectively with engineers working on other subsystems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• A hands-on mindset and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently while coordinating technical activities with the wider engineering team.

Strongly Valued

• Experience with reentry vehicles, spacecraft, launch vehicles, rockets, hypersonic systems, or other aerospace systems.
• Experience with flight computers
• Experience with GNC, inertial navigation, or flight dynamics.
• Experience developing avionics for extreme aerospace environments
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop or software-in-the-loop testing.
• Experience with environmental, vibration, thermal, EMC/EMI, or qualification testing.
• Experience with telemetry, command, ground stations, and mission operations.
• Experience with modular and fail-safe design
• Experience working in a startup or highly multidisciplinary engineering environment.
• Experience with aerospace development standards and structured verification processes.

How You'll Work

This is a full-time position which is mainly remote, but does require ocassional onsite presence in Croatia.

Because our development is closely tied to hardware, electronics integration, testing, and mission milestones, hands-on collaboration in person will be an important part of the role.

You’ll work closely with engineers across avionics, systems, propulsion, structures, payload, thermal protection, and simulation, with the opportunity to influence the vehicle architecture rather than working within a narrowly defined engineering function.