Lead Avionics Engineer - Flight Termination System

1w1 week ago

Castelion

Torrance, US · Full-time · $160,000 – $220,000

About this role

Castelion brings a new approach to defense development with short, iterative design cycles, rapid testing, and modern manufacturing for next-generation long-range strike weapons systems. As Lead Avionics Engineer specializing in Flight Termination Systems (FTS), you design, develop, test, and qualify systems ensuring safe flight termination for trajectory deviations. You integrate hardware, software, and coordinate with stakeholders.

Own system and electrical architecture development and integration of FTS components including RF command interfaces, control boxes, electronic safe and arm devices, initiators, and destruct charges for the Blackbeard vehicle. Define detailed system design with component selection, interconnect schematics, RF interfaces, consumable budgets, harness capabilities, fault tolerance, and reliability. Execute system validation via compatibility testing with range assets, HITL electrical testing, and flight qualification.

Collaborate closely with regulatory partners and Range Safety to develop tailored requirements for Blackbeard FTS certification. Design and analyze safety-critical circuits for ordnance initiation and command destruct receivers. Define test plans, processes, fixturing, sequences, and generate reports showing compliance to regulatory standards.

Lead qualification and acceptance testing under shock, vibration, thermal cycle environments to validate reliability. Act as technical expert for system and components, leading anomaly root cause investigations with data-driven dispositions. Ensure flightworthiness as responsible engineer through launch, challenging baseline requirements based on intent.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
5+ years of experience with electrical component design, system level integration of electronic components, or system level testing
3+ years of experience designing and analyzing electrical systems via professional work, projects, or research
Strong background in RF link design and validation, including antenna integration, link budget analysis, and EMI/EMC mitigation for high-reliability environments
Skilled in designing low-noise, isolated circuits for safety-critical applications
Experience with safety-critical systems for ordnance initiation and command destruct
Knowledge of fault tolerance, reliability analysis, and regulatory standards for flight termination systems
Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills with enthusiasm for problem solving in defense production

Responsibilities

Own system and electrical architecture development and integration of Flight Termination System components (RF command interfaces, control boxes, electronic safe and arm devices, initiators, and destruct charges) for the Blackbeard vehicle
Define detailed system design, including component selection, system interconnect schematics, RF interfaces, consumable budgets, harness and channel capabilities, fault tolerance, and reliability
Execute system validation, including compatibility testing with range assets, system electrical testing in HITL, and flight test qualification
Collaborate closely with regulatory partners and Range Safety to develop and maintain tailored requirements for Blackbeard FTS certification
Design and analyze safety-critical circuits for ordnance initiation and command destruct receivers
Define test plans, processes, fixturing, test sequences, and generate technical reports for regulatory compliance
Lead qualification and acceptance testing of components under shock, vibration, thermal cycle environments
Act as technical expert for system and components, leading anomaly root cause investigations and ensuring flightworthiness through launch