Principal Avionics Engineer

Venus Aerospace; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Stock options

Medical benefits (dental & vision)

Flex-Friday schedule

Unlimited PTO

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Venus Aerospace is seeking a Principal Avionics Engineer to design, integrate and flight test advanced propulsion systems. You will lead architecture for flight computers, sensors, power systems and interfaces, owning from architecture through flight test support.

You will drive systems thinking, engage in hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing, collaborate across disciplines, mentor engineers and ensure compliance with aerospace standards. On‑site Houston-based role with ITAR considerations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Aerospace engineering, Master’s preferred.
• 10+ years in avionics or aerospace electrical systems engineering.
• Extensive rocket propulsion, flight test and launch experience.
• Strong experience in systems design, architecture and requirements writing.
• Proven flight computer hardware design and HITL testing expertise.
• Experience with power systems, battery sizing and interface documentation.
• Experience managing external vendors and supplier coordination.
• Ability to read and create schematics, wiring diagrams and ICDs.

Responsibilities

• Design, build and fly avionics systems and components.
• Lead architecture, design and selection of flight computers, sensors and power interfaces.
• Assess risks and define mitigations for avionics systems.
• Define interfaces between flight components and support HITL testing environments.
• Own battery sizing, power budgets, margins and thermal analyses.
• Support integration, ground and flight testing, with root-cause analysis.
• Collaborate with vendors to define requirements and manage trade studies.
• Create and review requirements, ICDs, schematics, test plans and verification reports.
• Ensure designs meet aerospace standards, reliability and safety.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership across teams.
• Coordinate with Flight Software, GN&C, Aerodynamics and Structures disciplines.
• Work with Manufacturing and Quality to prepare systems for flight.

Skills

Avionics design

Flight computers

Systems architecture

Requirements writing

HITL testing

Vendor coordination

Battery sizing

Interfacing hardware

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Aerospace

Master's preferred

Tools

ECAD tools

Schematic capture

Job description

Venus Aerospace is revolutionizing rocket engine propulsion. With the first generational leap in rocket engine technology since Apollo, our proprietary Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine and Venus Detonation Ramjets deliver historic efficiency and performance across aerospace applications. We are building the next generation of propulsion platforms that enable breakthrough capabilities in space, defense, and commercial high‑speed flight. Our team thrives on solving the toughest engineering challenges and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in aerospace. At Venus, we’re looking for bold engineers and innovators who want to make history and redefine the future of propulsion.

The Role: Principal Avionics Engineer

Join us as a Principal Avionics Engineer and help design, build and flight test revolutionary propulsion technology. You’ll lead the design and integration of flight computers, sensors, power systems, and communication interfaces; owning everything from architecture to flight test support. This role blends engineering leadership, hands‑on engineering, hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing, and cross‑disciplinary collaboration to deliver reliable, flight‑ready systems. If you excel at systems thinking, solving hard problems, and driving technical leadership, you’ll thrive here.

What You’ll Get To Do

• Design, build and fly your systems
• Lead the architecture, design, and selection of avionics hardware, including flight computers, sensors, power systems, and communication interfaces
• Assess system risks and recommend mitigations
• Define and implement interfaces between flight components (e.g., flight computers, sensors, actuators, power systems, radios)
• Develop and maintain hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HITL) test environments to support software development, integration, and verification
• Own battery sizing and power system analysis, including load analysis, margins, thermal considerations, and mission profiles
• Support system integration, ground testing, and flight testing, including troubleshooting and root cause analysis
• Collaborate with external vendors and suppliers to define requirements, evaluate components, manage technical trade studies, and support procurement
• Author and review technical documentation, including requirements, interface control documents (ICDs), schematics, test plans, and verification reports
• Ensure avionics designs meet aerospace standards, reliability, safety, and environmental requirements
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership across avionics and flight systems teams
• Collaborate with Flight Software, GN&C, Aerodynamics, and Structures engineering disciplines to ascertain system requirements and meet technical program needs
• Collaborate with Manufacturing and Quality to ensure your systems are ready to fly

What You Have

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• 10+ years of experience in avionics or aerospace electrical systems engineering
• Extensive experience in rocket propulsion, flight test and launch
• Proven experience in systems design and architecture and requirement writing
• Proven experience with flight computer hardware design and/or selection
• Strong background in hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HITL) testing and integration
• Hands‑on experience defining and implementing interfaces between flight components
• Demonstrated experience with battery sizing, power budgets, and power system design
• Experience working with and managing outside vendors, including technical evaluations and supplier coordination
• Proficiency reading and creating schematics, wiring diagrams, and interface documentation
• Strong troubleshooting and systems‑level thinking skills
• Experience with environmental testing and qualification
• Key Competencies: systems‑level avionics expertise; cross‑functional collaboration; vendor and supplier management; technical leadership and mentorship; clear technical communication

What Will Set You Apart

• Experience with DO-160, DO-254, DO-178, or similar aerospace standards.
• Familiarity with embedded systems, buses and protocols (CAN, UART, SPI, I2C, Ethernet, MIL-STD-1553, etc.)
• Experience managing contractors for consulting or hardware production
• Experience supporting flight test campaigns
• Background in launch vehicles, missiles, propulsion systems, space systems, eVTOL, UAV or experimental aircraft

Location

On‑site in Houston, TX

Benefits

• 401(k) plan
• stock options
• medical benefits, including dental and vision
• flex-Friday flexible schedule
• unlimited PTO
• professional development opportunities

ITAR Requirements

This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be able to meet ITAR requirements (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State). You can learn more about ITAR here.

Venus Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation, please email [email protected] or call [phone]. This email and phone number were created exclusively to assist job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Messages or any other purposes, such as following up on an application, third party staffing agencies, website technical issues, or any other issues not related to a disability, will not receive a response. Messages will be returned within five business days.

For additional information about our Equal Opportunity Employment Policy, please visit our EEOP page.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.