Senior Avionics Engineer

Venus Aerospace; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Stock options

Medical benefits including dental and vision

Unlimited PTO

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

A leading aerospace company in Houston, TX is seeking a Senior Avionics Engineer to lead the design, integration, and validation of avionics systems for advanced aerospace platforms. This role involves flight computer hardware design, development of HIL test environments, and collaboration with external vendors. Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Aerospace Engineering and over 5 years of experience in avionics engineering. The position offers an engaging work environment focused on innovation and technical excellence.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in avionics or aerospace electrical systems engineering.
• Proven experience with flight computer hardware design and/or selection.
• Experience with battery sizing, power budgets, and power system design.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture, design, and selection of avionics hardware.
• Develop and maintain hardware-in-the-loop testing for software integration.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership.

Skills

Systems-level avionics expertise

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical leadership

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering

Master’s preferred

Tools

HIL testing environments

Schematic reading and creating

Job description

Who We Are: 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.

Senior Avionics Engineer

The Senior Avionics Engineer will lead the design, integration, and validation of avionics systems for advanced aerospace platforms. This role focuses on flight computer hardware design and selection, hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) development, interfaces between flight components, and close collaboration with external vendors and suppliers. The ideal candidate brings deep hands‑on experience with aerospace hardware and the ability to guide systems from concept through flight test and production.

What You'll Get To Do

• Lead the architecture, design, and selection of avionics hardware, including flight computers, sensors, power systems, and communication interfaces.
• Define and implement interfaces between flight components (e.g., flight computers, sensors, actuators, power systems, radios).
• Develop and maintain hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) 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 GN&C, Aerodynamics, and Structures engineering disciplines to ascertain system requirements and meet technical program needs.

What You Have

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• 5+ years of experience in avionics or aerospace electrical systems engineering.
• Proven experience with flight computer hardware design and/or selection.
• Strong background in hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) 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 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.
• 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 supporting flight test campaigns.
• Background in UAV, space systems, eVTOL, missiles, launch vehicles, or experimental aircraft.
• Experience with environmental testing (vibration, thermal, EMI/EMC).

Location

On‑site in Houston, TX

Benefits

Venus Aerospace employee benefits include a 401(k) plan, stock options, and medical benefits, including dental and vision. We have a flex‑Friday flexible schedule, unlimited PTO, and professional development opportunities.

About Venus Aerospace

By enabling one hour of global travel, Venus Aerospace is transforming the world and our access to it. We’re building a spaceplane with a low carbon footprint that will enable one‑hour global travel. We are a diverse, veteran team with extreme experience in successful new space, commercial, R&D, and government/military programs. We are looking for incredible, motivated, enthusiastic people that want to build a world‑changing culture and organization. You will be helping Venus grow and develop, so flexibility and a sense of adventure is quintessential. We are looking for all‑around awesome people to help us grow. We’ve done the professional grind, and we’ve got a better approach. We take “Home for Dinner” seriously – we want you to work for us and be “home for dinner”. Family is important and we don’t want you to miss out on what matters most. If that appeals to you, we’d love to connect!

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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 [e-mail] 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.

Artificial Intelligence in Hiring

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. 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.