Senior Avionics Engineer

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive benefits

Relocation aid

Pension plan

Medical aid

Performance bonuses

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Avionics Engineer in Pretoria to lead design, integration, and certification of advanced avionics systems for modern aircraft. You will steer requirements, architecture, testing, and regulatory compliance with a focus on safety-critical software lifecycles.

Ideal candidates bring 10+ years in avionics, strong leadership, MATLAB/Simulink proficiency, and excellent English technical writing skills. Relocation support and competitive benefits are available.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Electrical/Avionics/Computer Engineering or closely related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in avionics system design and integration.
• Experience with avionic architectures and data buses (ARINC 429, MIL-STD-1553).
• Familiarity with certification processes and safety-critical software lifecycle.
• Proven leadership of engineering projects and teams, strong communication skills.
• Proficient in MATLAB/Simulink and English technical writing.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and integration of avionics systems (communication, navigation, flight control).
• Define requirements and architecture for new avionics projects.
• Oversee testing, validation, and verification of hardware and software.
• Ensure compliance with aviation standards (DO-178C, DO-254) and MIL-STD.
• Manage schedules, budgets, and resources for avionics programs.
• Mentor junior engineers and coordinate cross-functional teams.
• Develop design specs, test plans, and certification reports.
• Stay informed on latest avionics advances and propose innovations.

Skills

Leadership

Systems thinking

Technical writing

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering

PhD in Avionics Engineering

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

ARINC 429

MIL-STD-1553

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a distinguished player in the aerospace sector, is actively seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Avionics Engineer to join their advanced engineering team in Pretoria, Gauteng . This role is paramount in the design, development, integration, testing, and certification of sophisticated avionics systems for cutting-edge aircraft platforms. You will lead complex avionics projects, manage technical teams, and ensure that all systems meet stringent performance, reliability, and safety standards. The ideal candidate possesses a strong foundation in electronics, communication systems, navigation, and flight control systems, coupled with proven leadership capabilities. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of aviation technology within a leading organization based in the administrative capital of South Africa.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and integration of avionic systems, including communication, navigation, surveillance, and flight control systems.
• Perform system analysis, requirements definition, and architecture design for new avionics projects.
• Oversee the testing, validation, and verification of avionics hardware and software components.
• Ensure compliance with aviation standards and regulations (e.g., DO-178C, DO-254, MIL-STD).
• Manage technical aspects of avionics projects, including schedule, budget, and resource allocation.
• Mentor and guide junior avionics engineers and support staff.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including airframe engineers, software developers, and certification authorities.
• Troubleshoot complex avionics system issues during development, testing, and post-certification phases.
• Contribute to the development of technical documentation, including design specifications, test plans, and certification reports.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in avionics technology and recommend innovations.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Avionics Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in avionics system design, development, and integration.
• Extensive knowledge of avionic architectures, digital signal processing, embedded systems, and data buses (e.g., ARINC 429, MIL-STD-1553).
• Proven experience with avionics certification processes and regulatory requirements.
• Strong understanding of software development lifecycle for safety-critical systems.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in managing engineering projects and teams.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in simulation and modeling tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink).
• Ability to obtain security clearance.
• Fluency in English, with excellent technical writing skills.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and executive-level benefits package.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and technical specialization.
• Involvement in groundbreaking aerospace projects.
• Collaborative and innovative engineering environment.
• Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates moving to Pretoria .
• Pension fund and comprehensive medical aid.
• Performance-based incentives and bonuses.