Senior Avionics Systems Architect, UAS & GCS Lead

Chaos Industries; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 198,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits 100% paid by company

401k with company match

Free daily lunch onsite

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

CHAOS Industries is seeking a Principal Avionics Systems Engineer to own the end-to-end avionics architecture for the MMA unmanned aircraft program, spanning onboard avionics and the Ground Control Station (GCS). You will lead air-ground interfaces, ICDs, and modular open systems architecture to enable scalable, producible solutions.

The role requires 15+ years in avionics design for UAS, hands-on experience with HWIL testing, and a strong systems-level view of air vehicle–GCS interaction.

Qualifications

• Must have 15+ years avionics design experience for unmanned aircraft systems.
• Direct ownership of air-ground interface (C2, data links, telemetry).
• Experience with MOSA-enabled modular architectures and producibility.
• Strong system-level view of air vehicle and Ground Control Station interactions.
• Experience with HWIL testing and flight test support.

Responsibilities

• Own the avionics architecture for air vehicle and Ground Control Station (GCS).
• Define flight management, navigation, data links, sensors, and power for avionics.
• Lead GCS architecture, interfaces, mission planning, and operator displays.
• Establish ICDs for air-ground data links and protocols.
• Drive modular avionics architecture with LRU variants and MOSA.
• Oversee integration of avionics subsystems and testing activities.
• Ensure DFMA principles and CM to enable high-rate production.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Quality.
• Support airworthiness activities and government reviews.
• Possess or obtain SECRET/Top Secret/SCI clearance eligibility.

Skills

UAS avionics experience

air-ground interface ownership

MOSA / open systems

systems integration

HWIL / flight test support

EMI/EMC analysis

COTS/component selection

GCS software/hardware knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Aerospace Avionics

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

HWIL testing tools

EMI/EMC test equipment

Job description

CHAOS Industries is seeking a Principal Avionics Systems Engineer to own the end-to-end avionics architecture for the MMA unmanned aircraft program, spanning onboard avionics and the Ground Control Station (GCS). You will lead air-ground interfaces, ICDs, and modular open systems architecture to enable scalable, producible solutions.

The role requires 15+ years in avionics design for UAS, hands-on experience with HWIL testing, and a strong systems-level view of air vehicle–GCS interaction.