Avionics Manager

Strativ Group; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Relocation assistance

Equity / stock options

Performance-based incentives

Job summary

Strativ Group is partnering with a fast-scaling space tech company to hire an Engineering Manager for avionics on a next-generation reentry vehicle. You will lead a multidisciplinary team in the full lifecycle of avionics hardware from architecture through environmental qualification and flight readiness.

The role is hands-on, reporting to the Chief Engineer, with responsibilities spanning power distribution, flight computers, telemetry, and RF systems.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in complex avionics development or aerospace systems engineering.
• Experience leading engineering teams or hardware integration projects under constraints.
• Depth across avionics domains including power, RF, flight computers, sensor interfacing, cabling.

Responsibilities

• Lead avionics team daily operations, scheduling, and tasking.
• Own delivery, packaging, and electrical integration of avionics hardware on the vehicle.
• Coordinate with platform avionics on power distribution, flight computers, telemetry, sensors.
• Oversee harnessing, routing, fabrication, and QC of vehicle electrical systems.
• Collaborate with Software, Simulation, and Test teams for HIL integration testing.
• Manage technical risk, mass/power budgets, and design-for-manufacturing trades.
• Drive troubleshooting and resolution of electrical/RF issues during assembly and testing.

Skills

Leadership

Avionics integration

RF communications

Power distribution

Team management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering

Tools

Job description

Strativ Group is partnering with a fast-scaling, well-funded space technology company (over $50M raised) focused on developing advanced reentry vehicles for national security and commercial logistics applications. The organization is continuing to expand its avionics engineering capability and is seeking an Engineering Manager to lead the avionics team for its next-generation reentry vehicle program.

Role Overview

This position will lead the development, packaging, physical integration, and testing of the avionics suite for a next-generation reentry vehicle, reporting directly to the Chief Engineer for the program. The role spans full ownership of avionics and electrical subsystems for flight operations, from architecture and hardware build through environmental qualification and flight readiness.

The successful candidate will operate in a highly hands-on capacity, leading a small multidisciplinary team while remaining close to the hardware, including troubleshooting electrical and RF issues during assembly and test. This role is particularly well suited to engineers with strong avionics integration experience and a background in high-reliability aerospace or defense hardware.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations, scheduling, and tasking for the vehicle avionics team, including Electrical, Harnessing, and Embedded Software Engineers
• Own delivery, mechanical packaging, and electrical integration of all avionics hardware on the vehicle
• Coordinate with the centralized platform avionics team on power distribution, flight computers, telemetry, and sensor architectures
• Oversee design, routing, fabrication, and quality control of vehicle-specific electrical harnessing and RF communication systems
• Collaborate with Software, Simulation, and Test teams to validate flight software and execute hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) integration testing
• Manage technical risk, mass/power budgets, and design-for-manufacturing trades across vehicle electronics, batteries, and pyrotechnic actuation hardware
• Drive rapid troubleshooting, failure investigation, and resolution of electrical and RF anomalies during vehicle assembly and environmental testing

Required Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent technical experience
• 8+ years' hands-on experience in complex avionics development, electrical hardware integration, or aerospace systems engineering
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams or complex hardware integration projects under constraints
• Technical depth across multiple avionics domains, including power distribution, RF communications, flight computers, sensor interfacing, and cabling/harnessing
• Experience managing hardware projects through development, assembly, and environmental qualification (vibration, thermal vacuum, EMI/EMC)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance

Preferred Experience

• Experience with spacecraft, launch vehicle, or high-reliability tactical aerospace avionics systems
• Familiarity with battery safety, power distribution architectures, and pyrotechnic trigger systems
• Experience developing and executing hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test setups and automated test sequences
• Prior experience working in startups and/or small independent teams

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive base salary with pre-IPO equity
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision
• 401(k) with company match
• Additional benefits including life insurance, FSA, and HSA
• Relocation support and performance-based incentives
• High-ownership engineering environment with strong progression opportunities