ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Avionics Chief Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Maple Aviation

Chief Engineer - Drone and Delivery SystemThe Role We are an innovative aerospace startup seeking a ... Lead cross-disciplinary engineering across aircraft design, propulsion, flight control, avionics ...

Space Kinetic

Chief Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

The Chief Engineer at Space Kinetic will be a highly experienced and visionary engineering ... Ensure GNC, power, communications, structures, thermal, avionics, software, and payload subsystems ...

Space Kinetic

Chief Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

The Chief Engineer at Space Kinetic will be a highly experienced and visionary engineering ... Ensure GNC, power, communications, structures, thermal, avionics, software, and payload subsystems ...

Space Kinetic

Chief Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

The Chief Engineer at Space Kinetic will be a highly experienced and visionary engineering ... Ensure GNC, power, communications, structures, thermal, avionics, software, and payload subsystems ...

Industrious Ventures

$175K - $230K/yr

As Chief Engineer, you will provide technical leadership across the full lifecycle--from ... GNC * Avionics & software * Thermal & TPS * Mission & flight systems * Chair technical reviews ...

previous page

Showing results 41-60

All JobsTravel JobsAviation JobsAirport Manager JobsAvionics Chief Engineer Jobs

Avionics Chief Engineer information

See salary details

$49K

$111.3K

$169.5K

How much do avionics chief engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for avionics chief engineer in the United States is $111,304.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,500.00 and $136,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an avionics chief engineer?

Avionics Chief Engineers are senior professionals responsible for overseeing the design, development, integration, and maintenance of electronic systems used in aircraft and spacecraft. They lead multidisciplinary teams to ensure avionics systems such as navigation, communication, and flight control meet regulatory standards and operational requirements. Their role involves project management, technical leadership, safety compliance, and often direct collaboration with clients and regulatory agencies. Avionics Chief Engineers play a critical role in ensuring the reliability and safety of modern aviation technology.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an avionics chief engineer?

To thrive as an Avionics Chief Engineer, you need deep expertise in avionics systems, electrical engineering, and project management, typically supported by a degree in electrical, electronics, or aerospace engineering and relevant work experience. Familiarity with industry standards, safety regulations, CAD software, and certifications such as FAA DER or equivalent are often required. Exceptional leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills help drive cross-functional teams and ensure successful integration and troubleshooting of complex systems. These skills and qualifications are critical for delivering safe, reliable, and innovative avionics solutions in a highly regulated and technologically advanced field.

What are some common challenges faced by an avionics chief engineer when leading multidisciplinary teams?

As an Avionics Chief Engineer, one of the primary challenges is ensuring seamless communication between avionics specialists, software engineers, systems engineers, and other departments. Balancing technical requirements with project timelines and budget constraints often requires proactive problem-solving and negotiation skills. Additionally, staying current with evolving regulations and integrating new technologies can be demanding but is essential for successful project delivery. Building strong collaborative relationships and fostering a culture of innovation within the team are key to overcoming these challenges.

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

AspectAvionics Chief EngineerAvionics Systems Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, certifications in avionics, leadership experienceEngineering degree, specialized in avionics systems, technical certifications
Work EnvironmentOversees entire avionics projects, manages teams, interacts with stakeholdersDesigns and develops avionics systems, collaborates with engineers and suppliers
Industry UsageUsed in senior project management, system integration, and oversight rolesFocused on technical development, system design, and testing

The Avionics Chief Engineer typically holds a leadership role overseeing avionics projects and teams, requiring broader experience and certifications. In contrast, the Avionics Systems Engineer concentrates on designing and developing specific avionics systems. Both roles are essential in the aviation industry but differ mainly in scope and responsibilities.

What cities are hiring for Avionics Chief Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Avionics Chief Engineer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Avionics Chief Engineer jobs?

For Avionics Chief Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Avionics Chief Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 92% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,304 per year, or $53.5 per hour.

Chief Engineer (Interceptors)

Redondo Beach, CA • On-site

Impulse Space
Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Impulse Spaceexternal

$220K - $260K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 7 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Own the system architecture and technical baseline across the full program lifecycle

  • Lead cross-functional technical trade studies and major design decisions to optimize performance, reliability, manufacturability, schedule, and cost

  • Define and oversee vehicle-level readiness and certification processes, including major design reviews, test readiness reviews, and mission readiness activities

Job description

Description
As a Chief Engineer (Interceptors) at Impulse, you will be the technical authority responsible for the architecture, development, and mission success of next-generation national security space systems. This role owns the end-to-end technical direction of a high-performance interceptor platform operating in demanding mission environments with extreme reliability, responsiveness, and operational constraints.  The ideal candidate combines deep spacecraft and missile-defense expertise with exceptional systems engineering leadership and execution.  
 
As Chief Engineer, you will partner closely with engineering, manufacturing, test, mission operations, and executive leadership to drive technical decisions, manage program risk, and ensure delivery of highly reliable space systems. 

Responsibilities
  • Own the system architecture and technical baseline across the full program lifecycle  
  • Lead cross-functional technical trade studies and major design decisions to optimize performance, reliability, manufacturability, schedule, and cost  
  • Maintain deep understanding of all subsystems, interfaces, operational concepts, and mission objectives 
  • Drive the program technical roadmap in partnership with subsystem leads and subject matter experts while balancing performance, reliability, schedule, risk, and cost  
  • Establish and uphold a high standard of engineering rigor, technical discipline, and configuration control throughout development and operations 
  • Identify technical, operational, and programmatic risks early and develop mitigation strategies to ensure mission success 
  • Define and oversee vehicle-level readiness and certification processes, including major design reviews, test readiness reviews, and mission readiness activities 
  • Serve as the primary technical authority for the program with customers, government stakeholders, launch providers, and external partners 
  • Lead resolution of major anomalies and technical issues, driving root cause investigations and corrective actions through closure  
  • Champion continuous improvement across vehicle design, production, testing, operations, and organizational processes

Minimum Qualifications
  • 10+ years of relevant experience in the spacecraft domain  
  • 5+ years of experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams or managing large-scale technical programs 
  • Proven track record of managing hardware programs through the full lifecycle 
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills in fast-moving technical environments 
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD TS/SCI or TS/SAP security clearance 
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Aerospace, or related field 


Preferred Skills and Experience
  • 12+ years' of experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams or managing large-scale technical programs 
  •  Direct experience serving as Chief Engineer, Deputy Chief Engineer, System Lead, or equivalent technical authority for spacecraft, missile defense, interceptor, or other high-performance aerospace systems  
  • Deep understanding of space-based defense architectures, responsive space operations, and mission-critical system design 
  • Strong knowledge of guidance, navigation, and control (GNC), propulsion, avionics, autonomy, and mission systems for maneuverable space vehicles 
  • Deep hands-on familiarity with spacecraft integration, environmental testing, launch campaigns, mission operations, and anomaly resolution 
  • Active TS/SCI security clearance  
  • Experience scaling engineering organizations and development processes within rapidly growing aerospace companies 
  • Intimate knowledge of U.S. Department of Defense standards and requirements  
Additional Information:
Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.
Impulse Space’s spacecraft manufacturing business is subject to U.S. export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This position requires applicants to be either U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent U.S. resident (green card holder), an individual granted asylum in the U.S., or an individual admitted in U.S. refugee status) or persons eligible to obtain an export license from the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about the ITAR here.  
Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.