VP of Engineering

Universal Avionics; Duluth (GA); On-site; USD 220,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with safe harbor match

9/80 schedule option

Every other Friday off

Vacation, sick time, and holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Wellness program

Job summary

Universal Avionics seeks a visionary VP of Engineering to lead a multidisciplinary organization across software, hardware, systems, FPGA, mechanical, optical, and verification engineering. You will partner with executive leadership to shape long-term technology strategy, develop future engineering leaders, and deliver certifiable aerospace products with safety and reliability at the forefront.

This is an onsite role based in Duluth, GA, with relocation assistance available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required.
• Master's degree preferred for senior leadership roles.
• Experience leading large multidisciplinary engineering organizations is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing, multidisciplinary engineering organization.
• Define and execute the company's engineering and technology strategy.
• Provide technical leadership across software, hardware, systems, FPGA, mechanical, optical, and verification engineering.
• Partner with Product Management, Program Management, Operations, Quality, Sales, and executive leadership.
• Mentor and develop future engineering leaders and successors.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Executive communication

Mentorship

Organizational design

Cross-functional collaboration

Engineering judgment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Duluth, GA (Onsite) | Aerospace & Avionics
National Search | Relocation Assistance Available
9/80 Schedule Available – Every Other Friday Off
Lead the Engineering Team Building the Future of Flight

Every day, thousands of aircraft rely on technology developed by Universal Avionics to help pilots see more, know more, and fly more safely.

Duluth, GA (Onsite) | Aerospace & Avionics
National Search | Relocation Assistance Available
9/80 Schedule Available – Every Other Friday Off
Lead the Engineering Team Building the Future of Flight

Every day, thousands of aircraft rely on technology developed by Universal Avionics to help pilots see more, know more, and fly more safely.

We're looking for a visionary engineering leader who can unite exceptional people, accelerate innovation, and build the engineering organization that will define the next generation of avionics.

This is more than a technical leadership role. It's an opportunity to shape strategy, develop future engineering leaders, and influence the direction of a global aerospace company.

The Opportunity

For more than 40 years, Universal Avionics has delivered advanced avionics, enhanced vision systems, and intelligent cockpit technologies trusted by commercial airlines, business aviation, cargo operators, and special mission aircraft around the world. As part of Elbit Systems, we combine the agility of an innovative engineering organization with the resources and global reach of an international aerospace leader.

As Vice President of Engineering, you will lead a multidisciplinary engineering organization responsible for developing innovative, safety-critical technologies across software, hardware, systems, FPGA, mechanical engineering, optical design, and verification.

Reporting directly to executive leadership, you'll help define our long-term technology strategy while building a culture where great engineers do the best work of their careers.

What You'll Do

• Lead and develop a high-performing, multidisciplinary engineering organization.
• Build an engaged culture focused on innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Develop engineering leaders through coaching, mentoring, and succession planning.
• Shape organizational design to ensure the right people are in the right roles as the business grows.
• Define and execute the company's engineering and technology strategy.
• Provide technical leadership across software, hardware, systems, FPGA, mechanical, optical, and verification engineering.
• Challenge technical decisions while empowering engineering teams to innovate.
• Partner closely with Product Management, Program Management, Operations, Quality, Sales, and executive leadership.
• Connect customer needs with long-term technology investments.
• Ensure engineering organizations consistently deliver high-quality, reliable certifiable aerospace products.
• Champion engineering excellence while balancing innovation, execution, cost, quality, and schedule.
• Drive continuous improvement across engineering processes, tools, and organizational capabilities.

What We're Looking For

The strongest candidates are exceptional organizational builders first.

Leadership & Organizational Development

• Build and lead high-performing engineering organizations.
• Develop leaders through coaching and mentorship.
• Foster accountability, collaboration, and innovation.
• Align engineering teams around business priorities.
• Make thoughtful organizational and talent decisions.
• Identify and develop future leaders.

You'll Have a Demonstrated Ability To

• Build and lead high-performing engineering organizations.
• Develop leaders through coaching and mentorship.
• Foster accountability, collaboration, and innovation.
• Align engineering teams around business priorities.
• Make thoughtful organizational and talent decisions.
• Identify and develop future leaders.l

Technical Leadership

You don't need to be the deepest expert in every engineering discipline, but you must possess the breadth and engineering judgment to lead across diverse technical domains.

Experience Leading Organizations Across

• Software Engineering
• Hardware Engineering
• Systems Engineering
• FPGA / Logic Design
• Mechanical Engineering
• Optical Engineering
• Verification & Validation

Aviation Industry Expertise

Successful candidates understand how aircraft systems are designed, integrated, certified, and operated.

Experience With

• Avionics
• Aircraft systems
• System integration
• Aerospace product development
• Customer and operator requirements
• Emerging aviation technologies

Certification & Regulatory Leadership

• FAA certification processes
• TSO
• STC
• DO-178
• DO-254
• ARP4754
• ARP4761

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline required.
• Master's degree or Ph.D. preferred.
• 10+ years of aerospace or related engineering experience.
• Significant executive or senior engineering leadership experience.
• Proven success leading large multidisciplinary engineering organizations.
• Strong strategic thinking and executive communication skills.
• Experience aligning engineering investments with long-term business objectives.

Why Employees Love Working Here

• Lead technology that improves aviation safety around the world.
• Shape the future direction of a global engineering organization.
• Build and develop exceptional engineering talent.
• Partner directly with executive leadership on company strategy.
• Solve technically complex, meaningful problems.
• Influence products that fly on aircraft worldwide.
• Join an established aerospace company committed to innovation and engineering excellence.

What Success Looks Like

• Engineering teams are highly engaged, collaborative, and continuously developing.
• Future engineering leaders are identified and successfully grown from within.
• Technical decisions consistently balance innovation, quality, risk, and execution.
• Engineering organizations deliver products on schedule without compromising safety or reliability.
• Strong partnerships exist across Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Product organizations.
• Customers view Universal Avionics as a trusted technology leader.
• Engineering strategy supports the company's long-term business objectives.

Our Mindset & Core Values

Innovation

We challenge assumptions, embrace new technologies, and continuously push what's possible in aerospace.

Excellence

We hold ourselves to the highest standards because precision, quality, and execution matter when the technology we build supports flight.

Resilience

We adapt, solve complex challenges, and deliver dependable technology in demanding environments.

"Yes, I Can" Ownership

We take initiative, empower our teams, and own outcomes from concept through delivery.

Benefits & Perks

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with safe harbor match within 60 days
• 9/80 work schedule option
• Every other Friday off
• Vacation, sick time, and 14 paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement
• Wellness and Employee Assistance Program
• And more

Relocation assistance is available.

Work Environment

This executive leadership role is based onsite in Duluth, Georgia, where close collaboration with Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, and executive leadership is essential to delivering world-class aerospace technology.

Learn more: UniversalAvionics.com

Universal Avionics' products and technology are subject to U.S. export laws and regulations, including ITAR and EAR requirements. Employment eligibility may depend on work authorization and citizenship status in accordance with these regulations.