Lead Avionics Engineer, HWIL & Flight Test

MIT Lincoln Laboratory; Lexington (MA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

Pension (MIT-funded)

401K matching

Paid leave

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

MIT Lincoln Laboratory is seeking a Technical Staff Lead Engineer for Avionics and HWIL in the Space Systems and Technology Division. You will lead avionics architecture, hardware, and embedded systems for spacecraft applications, and head HWIL test bed development and flat-sat configurations to verify flight software and hardware prior to integration.

You will oversee real-time simulation environments, sensor/emulator interfaces, and high-fidelity compute infrastructure, while mentoring junior

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, systems engineering, computer science, or related field.
• 10+ years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience with avionics design, integration, and testing for spacecraft or embedded platforms.
• Experience developing or leading HWIL test environments or flat-sat configurations with real-time simulation and sensor/actuator emulation.
• Hands-on space hardware assembly, integration, and test (AI&T).
• Experience specifying or integrating high-fidelity compute infrastructure for sensor/avionics testing.
• Strong understanding of embedded systems and aerospace communication protocols.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex hardware/software integrations.
• Experience leading technical efforts and mentoring junior engineers.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to communicate to diverse audiences.
• Ability to obtain/maintain Secret DoD clearance; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Lead avionics hardware and embedded systems design, development, and integration for spacecraft and payloads.
• Define avionics architecture including flight computer, sensors, actuators, and interfaces (SpaceWire, MIL-STD-1553, CAN, Ethernet).
• Support requirements, ICDs, and V&V plans for avionics.
• Coordinate HWIL test bed and flat-sat architectures, including real-time simulation environments.
• Define/oversee HWIL procedures and scripts for flight software and avionics testing.
• Specify compute infrastructure for space environment simulation.
• Lead AI&T activities and environmental testing for space hardware.
• Ensure traceability between HWIL results, flight software baselines, and test procedures.
• Lead troubleshooting and root-cause analyses of HWIL anomalies.

Skills

Avionics design

HWIL test

AI&T

Embedded systems

Real-time simulation

Troubleshooting

Mentorship

Technical leadership

Communication

U.S. DoD clearance

Education

MS or PhD in electrical/computer/mechanical or systems engineering

Tools

SpaceWire

MIL-STD-1553

CAN

Ethernet

Job description

MIT Lincoln Laboratory is seeking a Technical Staff Lead Engineer for Avionics and HWIL in the Space Systems and Technology Division. You will lead avionics architecture, hardware, and embedded systems for spacecraft applications, and head HWIL test bed development and flat-sat configurations to verify flight software and hardware prior to integration.

You will oversee real-time simulation environments, sensor/emulator interfaces, and high-fidelity compute infrastructure, while mentoring junior