Principal Engineer, Electronics

Safran S.A.; Carson (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Safran S.A. is seeking a Principal Engineer, Electronics to lead the research and design of electronics equipment for the aerospace industry. This role involves supporting engineering teams and ensuring compliance with aerospace standards.

Qualified candidates should have a degree in Electrical Engineering with significant experience in mixed-signal design and knowledge of specific aerospace regulations. Strong analytical skills and proficiency with simulation tools like MATLAB/Simulink are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 20+ years of electronics experience for bachelor's level.
• Experience in analog and digital control systems, especially DC-DC converters.
• Experience applying aerospace regulations and guidelines to electronics designs.

Responsibilities

• Research, analyze, design, develop, test, debug and modify electronics equipment.
• Take ownership and support technical engineering teams and projects.
• Ensure robust, airworthy designs that meet budget and schedule.

Skills

Electronics design

Analytical skills

Mixed-signal design

Control systems

Simulation tools

Education

Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

PSPICE

Altium

OrCAD

Job description

Role Overview

As Principal Engineer, Electronics, you will research, analyze, design, develop, test, debug and modify electronics equipment such as Variable Frequency Motor Drives for vacuum generators and air compressors, AC/DC Power Converters (3‑Φ), 28V DC Valve Controllers, and W&W System Controllers for the commercial aerospace industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership and/or support technical engineering teams and projects related to W&W System Components.
• Interface with cross‑functional groups to ensure robust, airworthy designs that meet budget, schedule and internal requirements.
• Participate in and lead improvement activities at a group and/or company level.
• Perform analytical tasks using circuit simulation tools (PSPICE, PSIM, MATLAB/Simulink), analyze product efficiency, transient and dynamic operating and load conditions, electromagnetic design analysis, design maturity and reliability analysis, and system interaction sensitivity.
• Develop design workflows and procedures to enable proper project management and effectively present data to supervisors/management.
• Apply aerospace regulations (RTCA/DO‑160, RTCA/DO‑254) and major OEM electronics design guidelines to designs, ensuring compliance.
• Lead, mentor and motivate other engineering team members.
• Maintain hands‑on experience with design/simulation tools (Altium, OrCAD, MATLAB/Simulink, PSIM, PSPICE) and test equipment.
• Use design‑level understanding of communication protocols such as CAN, ARINC, SPI, RS‑232.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from a recognized ABET‑accredited institution or equivalent.
• Minimum of 20+ years of electronics experience for bachelor’s level, 15+ years for master’s, 10+ years for Ph.D., with a desire for mixed‑signal design experience.
• Experience in analog and digital control systems and applications, especially DC‑DC converters, active rectifiers, gate drives, voltage/current sensor circuits, EMI filter designs.
• Strong analytical, design, and simulation skills; ability to synthesize complex information.
• Experience applying aerospace regulations and guidelines to electronics designs.