Electrical Engineering Manager, Aerospace Systems

Ideal Aerosmith Inc.; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 140,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Every other Friday off

Competitive benefits package

401K with company match

Job summary

Ideal Aerosmith is seeking an Electrical Engineer Manager to lead the design, integration, and performance of complex electrical systems for UAV/USV platforms. You will oversee power, avionics, communications, and payload integration across development, test, and production environments, balancing rigorous technical leadership with program goals.

You will drive fast, high-quality decision-making, mentor engineers, and collaborate cross-functionally to ensure timely, compliant, and innovative

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering; Master’s preferred.
• “12+ years of electrical engineering experience in complex aerospace or UAV systems.”
• “5+ years in technical leadership or management.”
• “Experience leading avionics, power systems, communications, and sensor integration.”
• “Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.”
• “U.S. citizenship / permanent resident or protected status per contract requirements.”

Responsibilities

• Lead UAV electrical architectures: power distribution, avionics, communications, and sensors.
• Mentor and manage a team of electrical engineers; provide guidance and performance feedback.
• Own end-to-end electrical system architecture and interfaces across subsystems.
• Serve as electrical system integrator across vendors and platforms.
• Define ICDs across avionics, payloads, propulsion, and ground systems.
• Drive system-level trade studies: power budgets, bandwidth, EMI/EMC.
• Oversee verification, validation, and testing from design to flight.
• Support production transition with manufacturability and cost optimization.

Skills

Embedded systems

Avionics integration

EMI/EMC

Serial protocols

Team leadership

System architecture

Electrical CAD

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Electrical CAD

Power systems design

Job description

Ideal Aerosmith is a leading supplier of precision inertial guidance test systems, flight motion simulators, innovative defense solutions in support of the warfighter, and a premier provider of aerospace test engineering services, ATE system engineering, and quality contract manufacturing services to the aerospace industry. We're experts and we earn that title everyday with our customers through innovative engineering, manufacturing, and sustainment of world-class motion and electric test solutions and services.

Here, we don’t just solve complex problems - we redefine what’s possible. Every role at Ideal Aerosmith supports a lean culture through continuous improvement - ongoing, incremental enhancements to products, processes, or services aimed at reducing waste and boosting efficiency, customer service, and performance. With a team of skilled problem solvers and a culture that thrives on tackling challenges head-on, we are dedicated to our clients' success. Enjoy competitive benefits, a supportive work environment, and every other Friday off to recharge.

Electrical Engineer Manager will lead the design, integration, and performance of complex electrical systems for Ideal Aerosmith’s unmanned platforms, including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs). This role serves as the electrical system integrator, responsible for ensuring all electrical subsystems—power, avionics, communications, and payloads—function as a cohesive, reliable system across development, test, and production environments. Combining deep technical leadership with team management responsibilities, this position oversees the full lifecycle of electrical system development from concept through flight testing and production. The Electrical Engineer Manager will ensure alignment between engineering execution, program goals, and company standards while driving rapid, high-quality decision‑making, innovation, and technical excellence across UAV programs.

Lead the electrical architecture behind next‑generation unmanned aircraft, integrating avionics, power systems, communications, autonomy, and mission payloads from concept through flight test. This is a hands‑on technical leadership role for an engineer who is passionate about designing, building, testing, and flying advanced aerospace systems in a fast‑paced, mission‑focused environment where ideas quickly become flight hardware.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of UAV electrical architectures, including power distribution, avionics, communications, and sensor integration.
• Manage and mentor a team of electrical engineers, providing technical guidance, performance feedback, and professional development support.
• Own end‑to‑end electrical system architecture, including power, data, RF, and control interfaces
• Serve as the electrical system integrator across all subsystems and vendors
• Define and manage electrical interfaces (ICDs) across avionics, payloads, propulsion, and ground systems
• Lead system‑level trade studies (power budgets, bandwidth, thermal impacts, EMI/EMC)
• Oversee electrical subsystem development from requirements definition through design, integration, testing, and deployment.
• Lead EMI/EMC design, analysis, and mitigation strategies
• Support pre‑compliance and formal testing efforts
• Resolve EMI issues during integration and flight test
• Review and approve schematics, wiring diagrams, interface definitions, and electrical specifications.
• Drive component selection decisions with consideration for performance, reliability, scalability, and cost.
• Collaborate with leaders to maintain on‑time product development, address schedule issues, and resolve engineering problems quickly.
• Partner cross‑functionally with mechanical, software, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to ensure seamless system integration.
• Lead electrical integration, system bring‑up, and troubleshooting during prototype builds, ground testing, and flight testing.
• Establish and enforce electrical engineering standards, design practices, and documentation processes.
• Oversee development and execution of verification and validation plans, including environmental and performance testing.
• Support production transition, including design for manufacturability, cost optimization, and resolution of production issues.
• Contribute to program reviews, risk assessments, and technical decision‑making at the system level.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across engineering processes, tools, and workflows.

Qualification Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• 12+ years of electrical engineering experience in complex systems, with a strong focus on aerospace or UAV systems.
• 5+ years of experience in a technical leadership or management role.
• Experience leading development of avionics, power systems, communications, and sensor integration.
• Experience working in a fast‑paced R&D or prototyping environment.
• Ability to travel (domestic and internationally).
• Must have valid driver’s license and ability to obtain a passport.
• Due to federal contract requirements, candidates must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C.
• 1324b(a)(3).

Skill Requirements

• Advanced knowledge of UAV electrical systems, including power distribution, grounding, and EMI/EMC considerations.
• Strong experience with avionics systems, radios, antennas, and embedded electrical integration.
• Experience interfacing with embedded systems and flight computers
• Understanding of serial protocols (UART, CAN, SPI, Ethernet)
• Proven ability to lead system‑level design, integration, and troubleshooting efforts.
• Proficiency with electrical CAD and analysis tools.
• Strong understanding of system architecture and cross‑disciplinary integration (mechanical, software, controls).
• Demonstrated leadership, mentoring, and team development skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and problem‑solving abilities in a fast‑paced development environment.
• Ability to balance hands‑on engineering contributions with team leadership responsibilities.

Physical Requirements

• Must have the ability to lift and/or carry 45 lbs.
• Ability to work for extended periods at computer workstation/keyboard.
• Ability to type accurately and efficiently.
• The position will require walking, standing, squatting, crouching, stooping, lifting, climbing, pulling, pushing, sitting, repetitive motion and kneeling.

Salary Range: $140,000-$195,000 annually.

This salary range represents a good faith estimate of the base compensation for this position. Actual base compensation will be determined based on multiple factors, including location, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s qualifications, internal equity, experience, education, skills, and prevailing market conditions. In exceptional cases, compensation above this range may be considered based on experience, skills, or business needs.

This position is eligible for a discretionary annual performance bonus based on individual and company performance. Overtime eligibility, if applicable, will be determined in accordance with federal and state law.

Ideal Aerosmith additionally offers a comprehensive benefits program, which includes health, dental, vision, and voluntary benefits; 401K with company match; company‑paid holidays; every other Friday off; and paid time off for vacation and personal time.

Ideal Aerosmith is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our goal is to create a work environment that celebrates diversity and inclusion, where all employees feel respected and valued. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and strive to provide equal employment opportunities to everyone.