Autonomous Aerial Avionics Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 100,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education assistance

Retirement contributions

Good work‑life balance

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a highly motivated UAS Avionics Development Engineer to design and integrate avionics ecosystems for autonomous air systems. You will lead hands-on assembly, wiring, sensors, and payload integration, pushing interfaces and standards to enable mission-ready platforms.

The role emphasizes producible avionics, PCB design, software interfaces (UART, RS232, RS485), and collaboration across mechanical, software, autonomy, test, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Robotics or related field.
• Experience designing, building, integrating, and testing custom uncrewed aerial systems, aircraft, robotics, or other complex hardware systems deployed for users.
• Experience owning technical solutions through build, testing, troubleshooting, and iterative improvement—not solely analysis or design handoff.
• Strong understanding of UAS subsystems, including avionics, electrical systems, payload integration, and hardware interfaces.
• Proficient with UAS autopilot systems (e.g., PX4, ArduPilot) and their associated ground control software.
• Communicate effectively across mechanical, electrical, software, test, and operations disciplines, and make design decisions that support the performance of the integrated system.
• Hold an active Secret security clearance and can ultimately obtain a TS/SCI level clearance. U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Own the design and integration of UAS avionics ecosystems from concept development through delivery to test teams and end users.
• Lead and participate in hands-on assembly and integration of UAS platforms, including component installation, wiring, soldering, sensors, and payload integration.
• Develop avionics and ground support solutions, including PCB design/build/checkout and software interfaces using COTS components.
• Translate mission needs into producible avionics and ground support solutions balancing performance, mass, power, cost, schedule, reliability, safety, maintainability.
• Collaborate across mechanical, software, autonomy, test, and operations teams to support integrated system performance.
• Plan and execute component level and integrated system testing; analyze results and drive design improvements.
• Communicate technical risks, design issues, and schedule impacts early, driving corrective actions for next build or flight test.
• Produce documentation including as-built configurations, test procedures, checklists, and lessons learned.

Skills

UAS avionics development

Hands-on systems integration

Multidisciplinary collaboration

UAS subsystems knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

PX4 Autopilot

ArduPilot

Ground Control Software

Job description

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a highly motivated UAS Avionics Development Engineer to design and integrate avionics ecosystems for autonomous air systems. You will lead hands-on assembly, wiring, sensors, and payload integration, pushing interfaces and standards to enable mission-ready platforms.

The role emphasizes producible avionics, PCB design, software interfaces (UART, RS232, RS485), and collaboration across mechanical, software, autonomy, test, and