Lead Systems Engineer - Avionics Networking

IF1139 GE Aviation Systems LLC; Grand Rapids (MI); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Retirement plan (401(k) with match)

Tuition assistance

Paid time off for vacation and illness

Job summary

GE Aerospace in Grand Rapids, MI seeks a Lead Systems Engineer - Avionics Networking to drive the architecture, requirements, verification, and certification of advanced networking solutions for airborne systems.

The role requires collaboration across software, hardware, test, safety, and certification teams, with a hybrid work arrangement and a relocation package for eligible candidates.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Aerospace, Electrical, Computer Engineering, or related STEM field.
• Minimum of 4 years in systems design, development, integration, verification, or validation.
• Strong networking fundamentals knowledge (IP addressing, Ethernet, VLANs, switching, routing).
• Hybrid work: on-site 3 days/week in Grand Rapids, MI; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering activities for the Networking product line with emphasis on performance and determinism.
• Define, decompose, and manage traceable system requirements (TSN, ARINC standards).
• Coordinate verification, validation, and integration across software, hardware, test, safety, and certification teams.
• Support certification activities and engage with customers, suppliers, and stakeholders.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to best practices and technical strategy.

Skills

Networking fundamentals

Systems engineering

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering / STEM

Tools

Cameo

Teamwork Cloud

IBM DOORS

RTC/EWM

Job description

Job Description Summary Help define the future of flight at GE Aerospace. As a Lead Systems Engineer - Avionics Networking, you will play a key role in developing advanced networked avionics solutions that enable safe, reliable, and deterministic communication across next-generation aerospace platforms. In this role, you will lead systems engineering efforts for the Networking product line, working across software, hardware, test, safety, reliability, and certification teams to deliver high-integrity products from concept through verification and certification. You will help shape system architecture, define and manage requirements, drive integration and validation, and support certification for highly complex airborne networking systems. This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer who enjoys solving technically challenging problems, working across disciplines, and contributing to products that have real-world impact in aerospace. This position is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with a hybrid work arrangement requiring an on-site presence 2-3 days per week. A corporate relocation package is available for eligible candidates.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering activities for the Networking product line, ensuring strong system performance, deterministic behavior, end-to-end integration, and operational robustness.
• Define, decompose, and manage traceable system requirements for advanced avionics networking capabilities, including Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) and ARINC-based communication standards.
• Manage requirements allocation and specification flow-down to modules, components, subcontractors, and partner teams.
• Drive system-level and component-level verification and validation, including development of verification strategies, artifacts, and supporting evidence.
• Lead product and system integration activities to ensure compatibility, operability, and performance across multidisciplinary development teams.
• Support certification strategy and execution for safety-critical programs, including participation in audits, reviews, SOIs, and closure of certification findings.
• Coordinate cross-functional execution across software, hardware, test, safety, reliability, maintainability, and certification organizations.
• Contribute to technical reviews, including design and code reviews related to avionics network switch and communication system development.
• Manage interfaces between subsystems, teams, suppliers, and customers to ensure alignment on requirements, interoperability, and compliance plans.
• Drive risk identification, trade studies, and issue resolution to support quality, schedule, and cost commitments.
• Mentor less experienced systems engineers and contribute to engineering best practices, process improvement, and technical strategy within the organization.
• Engage with customers and external partners to support technical discussions, requirements alignment, and product differentiation efforts.
• Travel up to 10% as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or another related STEM field from an accredited university or college.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in systems design, development, integration, verification, or validation.
• Strong understanding of networking fundamentals, including IP addressing, Ethernet, VLANs, switching, routing, and network topology.
• Ability to work from Grand Rapids, MI with a hybrid schedule requiring a minimum of 3 days on site per week (Tuesday-Thursday).
• This position requires U.S. citizenship status.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) technologies, including IEEE 802.1AS, 802.1Qbv, 802.1Qci, and 802.1DP.
• Experience with ARINC A664 and ARINC 615A.
• Knowledge of Ethernet and networking protocols such as QoS, NTP, DHCP, FTP/TFTP/SNMP, SSH, and IPSec.
• Familiarity with engineering tools such as Cameo, Teamwork Cloud, IBM DOORS, and RTC/EWM.
• Experience working in DAL A or DAL B development and certification environments.
• Experience interfacing directly with customers, certification authorities, suppliers, or external technical stakeholders.
• Experience with technical planning, estimation, or proposal support.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and technical leadership skills.
• Self-starter mindset with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional engineering environment.

The base pay range for this position is $95,000.00 - $110,000.00 USD Annually. The specific pay offered may be influenced by a variety of factors, including the candidate’s experience, education, and skill set.

This posting is expected to close on 10/31/26.

Benefits

• Healthcare benefits include medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; access to a Health Coach from GE Aerospace; and the Employee Assistance Program, which provides 24/7 confidential assessment, counseling and referral services.
• Retirement benefits include the GE Aerospace Retirement Savings Plan, a 401(k) savings plan with company matching contributions and company retirement contributions, as well as access to Fidelity resources and planning consultants.
• Other benefits include tuition assistance, adoption assistance, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and paid time-off for vacation or illness.

GE Aerospace (General Electric Company or the Company) and its affiliates each sponsor certain employee benefit plans or programs (i.e., is a “Sponsor”). Each Sponsor reserves the right to terminate, amend, suspend, replace or modify its benefit plans and programs at any time and for any reason, in its sole discretion. No individual has a vested right to any benefit under a Sponsor’s welfare benefit plan or program.

GE Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. GE Aerospace will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable). Employees may also be subject to random and reasonable-suspicion drug and alcohol testing.

Relocation Assistance Provided: Yes At GE Aerospace, we invent the future of flight, lift people up, and bring them home safely. We are a world-leading provider of jet engines, components, and integrated systems for commercial and military aircraft.

At GE Aerospace, respect for people is core to our culture and commitment to FLIGHT DECK, our proprietary lean operating model. We attract, develop, and retain industry-leading talent from all backgrounds and cultivate communities where people are respected and empowered to reach their fullest potential. For the people of GE Aerospace, their work isn't just a job. It's their passion and purpose. We work and win as one team, accountable to each other and our customers, and we are always finding a better way to climb higher together. We were meant to fly.