Aircraft Avionics Electrical Engineer
Location: Newport News, VA
Job Type: Contract
Starting Pay: $60/hour, with higher pay available based on experience
Position Overview
Seeking an Electrical Engineer to support aircraft electrical and avionics systems through design, integration, analysis, troubleshooting, and certification. This role develops system architecture, wiring and installation documentation, and engineering data for aircraft modifications, repairs, and certification programs.
The engineer will work with Mechanical Engineering, Certification, Production, Quality, program teams, equipment vendors, and customers to deliver safe, reliable, maintainable, and certifiable electrical installations.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and document aircraft electrical, avionics, and mission systems for modification, repair, and certification projects.
- Develop schematics, wiring diagrams, cable assemblies, installation drawings, and related engineering documentation.
- Perform electrical load analysis and evaluate power distribution, circuit protection, grounding, bonding, and system integration.
- Apply 14 CFR requirements, EWIS guidance, applicable MIL standards, and industry best practices.
- Integrate avionics, communications equipment, mission systems, sensors, antennas, and other aircraft electrical equipment.
- Support certification packages, compliance documentation, test plans, and engineering reports.
- Provide engineering assistance during fabrication, installation, troubleshooting, testing, and aircraft modification.
- Participate in design reviews and recommend improvements related to electrical architecture, performance, reliability, and maintainability.
- Maintain engineering information under configuration control and follow established engineering standards and procedures.
- Contribute to engineering standards, process improvements, and lessons-learned activities.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline from an accredited college or university.
- Experience designing, integrating, troubleshooting, and documenting aircraft electrical, avionics, or mission systems.
- Knowledge of aircraft wiring, electrical assemblies, power distribution, grounding, bonding, shielding, and circuit protection.
- Familiarity with FAA regulations, aircraft certification, STC projects, or FAA Form 337 major alteration processes.
- Ability to create or interpret wiring diagrams, electrical schematics, installation drawings, cable assembly drawings, and technical documentation.
- Proficiency with AutoCAD or similar electrical drafting/design software.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, problem-solving, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively with Engineering, Certification, Production, Quality, Program Management, vendors, and customers.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple schedule-driven priorities.
- Ability to work in office and aircraft hangar environments.
- U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident status.
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years supporting aircraft modification, avionics integration, or aerospace electrical system design.
- FAA certification experience, including STC programs, compliance documentation, test plans, test reports, and Instructions for Continued Airworthiness.
- Knowledge of EWIS requirements and aircraft wiring installation practices.
- Experience with electrical load analysis, EMI/EMC, bonding, grounding, and system safety evaluations.
- Experience preparing engineering reports, installation instructions, test procedures, manuals, and certification documentation.
- Familiarity with AS9100, aerospace quality systems, configuration control, and engineering release processes.
- Experience supporting aircraft production, modification, installation, ground testing, or flight testing.
- Familiarity with SolidWorks, 3D CAD data, or mechanical/electrical integration workflows.
- Experience working with customers, DERs, FAA representatives, OEMs, or equipment vendors.
Success in This Role
- Accurate and complete electrical drawings, schematics, wiring diagrams, and engineering documentation.
- Timely completion of assigned engineering deliverables.
- Successful integration of electrical, avionics, and mission systems with minimal redesign or rework.
- Responsive support for production, installation, testing, and troubleshooting activities.
- Designs and documentation that meet applicable regulatory, customer, and company requirements.
- Effective identification and resolution of technical issues and project risks.
- Meaningful contributions to continuous improvement, engineering standards, and lessons learned.
