Principal Avionics Engineer — Flight Systems Leader

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 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.