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Airborne Systems Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Amazon

Sr. Systems Engineer, Prime Air

Seattle, WA · On-site

$118.90K - $162.70K/yr

This role will be responsible for ensuring high standards for certifying safety-critical software and hardware in airborne systems, working closely with design engineering staff powering a flywheel ...

Sentar

Systems Engineer

Chula Vista, CA · On-site

Sentar is seeking a Systems Engineer in San Diego, CA supporting Airborne Networking and Advanced Development Technical Support. **This position is pre award and is contingent on contract award.

Sentar, Inc.

Systems Engineer

San Diego, CA

Sentar is seeking a Systems Engineer in San Diego, CA supporting Airborne Networking and Advanced Development Technical Support. **This position is pre award and is contingent on contract award.

Sentar

Systems Engineer

Chula Vista, CA

Sentar is seeking a Systems Engineer in San Diego, CA supporting Airborne Networking and Advanced Development Technical Support. **This position is pre award and is contingent on contract award.

MORSE Corp

Systems Engineer

Cambridge, MA

We are seeking a Systems Engineer to provide leadership and direction in designing and deploying mission systems for airborne platforms for the US National Security Ecosystem. This is an exceptional ...

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Airborne Systems Engineer information

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$53.5K

$127.2K

$167K

How much do airborne systems engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for airborne systems engineer in the United States is $127,215.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,000.00 and $157,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Airborne Systems Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Airborne Systems Engineer, you need a strong background in aerospace engineering, systems integration, and avionics, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with technical tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, CAD software, and certifications like FAA or EASA requirements are commonly expected. Strong problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills help you collaborate effectively and manage complex, multidisciplinary projects. These skills are vital to ensure safe, reliable airborne systems that meet rigorous industry and regulatory standards.

What are some of the main challenges Airborne Systems Engineers face when integrating new technologies into existing aircraft platforms?

Airborne Systems Engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring compatibility between new technologies and legacy avionics systems, adhering to strict safety and regulatory standards, and managing the limitations of space and weight within aircraft. Integrating new systems also requires thorough testing and validation, often under tight project timelines. Effective collaboration with multidisciplinary teams—including software developers, hardware engineers, and flight test crews—is essential to address these technical and logistical hurdles.

What does an Airborne Systems Engineer do?

An Airborne Systems Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, integrating, and maintaining electronic and mechanical systems that operate on aircraft. This includes avionics, communication systems, radar, navigation, and other onboard technologies. They ensure that these systems meet safety and regulatory standards, work effectively in the airborne environment, and support the mission or commercial objectives of the aircraft. Airborne Systems Engineers often work closely with other engineering disciplines and may be involved in testing, troubleshooting, and certifying new technologies for flight.

What is the difference between Airborne Systems Engineer vs Avionics Engineer?

AspectAirborne Systems EngineerAvionics Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in aerospace, electrical, or systems engineering; certifications like INCOSE or FAA-relatedBachelor's in electrical, electronics, or aerospace engineering; certifications in avionics systems
Work EnvironmentDesign, develop, and test airborne systems in labs or on aircraftDesign and troubleshoot avionics systems within aircraft or labs
Industry UsageMilitary, commercial, and defense sectors focusing on integrated airborne systemsAircraft manufacturers, defense contractors, and aerospace companies

While both roles involve aerospace and aircraft systems, Airborne Systems Engineers focus on the overall integration of airborne systems, whereas Avionics Engineers specialize in electronic avionics systems. The roles often overlap but differ in scope and specific expertise.

More about Airborne Systems Engineer jobs
What job categories do people searching Airborne Systems Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Airborne Systems Engineer jobs are:
Airborne Systems Engineer jobs near you
Senior Embedded Software Engineer | Airborne Software

Senior Embedded Software Engineer | Airborne Software

BETA Technologies

Raleigh, NC • On-site, Remote

$120.50K - $158K/yr

Other

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

The Senior Embedded Software Engineer for Airborne Software will apply their deep knowledge of RTCA DO-178C, best practices for real-time safety-critical embedded software development, technical leadership experience, and embedded C mastery to directly contribute to and lead a small team to specify, architect, design, implement and integrate the embedded software for BETA's airborne systems. The ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge of embedded software development, from bare-metal board bring-up and microcontroller timing and execution characteristics to comprehensive software specification and design methods and techniques. The senior embedded software engineer is responsible for developing robust and reliable software to achieve the highest level of safety-criticality in the industry.
 
How you will contribute to revolutionizing electric aviation:
  • Analyze system requirements allocated to software for correctness, feasibility, and appropriateness from an embedded software perspective; propose changes and additional to system requirements to fulfill all airborne software needs
  • Develop software high-level requirements to specify the functionality and characteristics of airborne software
  • Architect and design the embedded software, considering hardware constraints, design constraints, and available resources to satisfy the software high-level requirements, and specify software low-level requirements
  • Develop embedded software in the C and Assembly programming languages for ARM microcontroller targets
  • Integrate the software with other software and the target hardware; assist with system integration
  • Assess, measure, troubleshoot, and resolve issues with software execution and characteristics such as timing and performance
  • Promote the reuse of embedded software and associated life cycle data throughout the Airborne Software team
  • Perform peer reviews of other team member's contributions to the software development project
  • Inform the software verification team for the appropriate testing and analysis of the embedded software
  • Lead a small team of embedded software engineers for the development of software for an airborne system
  • Mentor junior engineers by training them on DO-178C objectives, activities, and outputs; real-time and safety-critical embedded software best practices; and integration and troubleshooting methods and techniques
Minimum Qualifications:
  • BS in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related degree from an accredited university
  • Minimum 7 years experience in real-time embedded software development for safety-critical systems
  • Excellent requirements engineering and software architecture/design experience
  • Mastery of the C programming language
  • Knowledge of Texas Instruments Hercules and/or STM ARM microcontrollers, or equivalent
  • Comfortable reading electrical schematics, technical documentation, reference manuals, and datasheets
  • Deep experience with electronics lab equipment such as programmable power supplies, signal generators, oscilloscopes, and bus analyzers
  • Expert level knowledge and experience with the activities and outputs required for DO-178C Level A compliance
  • Excellent team communication and collaboration skills
  • Ability to work independently, as a member of an integrated team, and as a technical leader of a small team of dedicated software engineers
  • Deep knowledge and experience with communications interfaces and devices such as SPI, I2C, CAN, ARINC 429, Analog-to-Digital Converters, Direct Memory Access controllers, and temperature, voltage, and current sensors
  • Experience with Stage of Involvement reviews and communication with FAA personnel and DERs
  • Experience with RTCA DO-330 tool qualification objectives, activities, and outputs
  • Experience with RTCA DO-331 model-based development objectives, activities, and outputs
  • Candidates are encouraged to apply even if they don't meet all minimum qualifications
Above and Beyond Qualifications that will distinguish you:
  • Experience with the Texas Instruments TMS570 ARM microcontroller
  • Experience with the Lauterbach TRACE32 debug/instruction trace system
  • Experience with GNU GCC ARM embedded toolchain and Texas Instruments Code Composer Studio
  • Experience with the Polarion ALM life cycle data management system
  • Experience with embedded software for electric motor control, battery management systems and/or flight control systems
  • Experience with project management activities, such as estimating, tracking, and reporting work; traditional, kanban, and scrum experience
This position could be based in South Burlington, VT (primary location), or Raleigh, NC office. For more experienced candidates, we can consider hybrid or remote options, but this will be evaluated on a per-candidate basis.
 

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