1

Contract Avionics Systems Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Avionics Systems Engineer (Starship)

Hawthorne, CA

$115K - $135K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

AVIONICS SYSTEMS ENGINEER (STARSHIP) As a Starship Avionics Systems & Operations Engineer, you will have the unique opportunity to be part of a cross-functional team that bridges the gap between ...

Avionics Systems Engineer II

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As an Avionics Systems Engineer III, you will be responsible for both the technical definition of avionics systems and the programmatic execution required to deliver them. You will develop and manage ...

Senior Avionics Systems Engineer

Patuxent River, MD · On-site

$150K - $170K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

What You'll Do: As the Senior Avionics Systems Engineer , you will support work within NAVAIR ... contracts, through Engineering Development, Review & Approval Process (EDRAP), to full flight ...

Avionics Systems Engineer II

Huntsville, AL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As an Avionics Systems Engineer III, you will be responsible for both the technical definition of avionics systems and the programmatic execution required to deliver them. You will develop and manage ...

Avionics Systems Engineer II

Seattle, WA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As an Avionics Systems Engineer III, you will be responsible for both the technical definition of avionics systems and the programmatic execution required to deliver them. You will develop and manage ...

Avionics Systems Engineer II

Seattle, WA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As an Avionics Systems Engineer III, you will be responsible for both the technical definition of avionics systems and the programmatic execution required to deliver them. You will develop and manage ...

Avionics Systems Engineer II

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As an Avionics Systems Engineer III, you will be responsible for both the technical definition of avionics systems and the programmatic execution required to deliver them. You will develop and manage ...

Avionics Systems Engineer II

Denver, CO · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As an Avionics Systems Engineer III, you will be responsible for both the technical definition of avionics systems and the programmatic execution required to deliver them. You will develop and manage ...

Avionics Systems Engineer III

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$130K - $182K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

B.S. degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, aerospace engineering, or related field * 5+ years of experience in avionics hardware, including systems engineering, electrical design ...

Principal Avionics Systems Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$180K - $240K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

... in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers - we're mass-producing the ... Serve as Responsible Engineer for Avionics system design, performance, and hardware across the ...

Showing results 21-40

Contract Avionics Systems Engineer information

See salary details

$43.5K

$138.8K

$227.5K

How much do contract avionics systems engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract avionics systems engineer in the United States is $138,776.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $117,500.00 and $158,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a contract avionics systems engineer do?

A Contract Avionics Systems Engineer is a specialized professional who designs, develops, tests, and maintains electronic systems used in aircraft and spacecraft, such as navigation, communication, and flight control systems. Working on a contract basis, they typically join projects for a specific duration to provide expertise in integrating complex avionics systems or solving technical challenges. Their responsibilities often include collaborating with cross-functional teams, ensuring compliance with industry regulations, and troubleshooting system issues to ensure safety and performance standards are met.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract avionics systems engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Avionics Systems Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, avionics systems design, and relevant industry standards, usually supported by a degree in engineering and experience in aerospace projects. Familiarity with tools like MATLAB/Simulink, DO-178C/DO-254 compliance, and systems integration or testing platforms is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, effective communication, and adaptability help distinguish top performers in this role. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensuring reliable, safe, and compliant avionics systems in complex aerospace environments.

What is the difference between Contract Avionics Systems Engineer vs Contract Avionics Design Engineer?

AspectContract Avionics Systems EngineerContract Avionics Design Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or higher in Electrical, Aerospace, or Systems Engineering; certifications like INCOSE or FAA preferredBachelor's or higher in Electrical or Aerospace Engineering; similar certifications often required
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with cross-disciplinary teams on system integration and testingFocuses on designing and developing avionics components and subsystems
Industry UsageUsed across aerospace companies, defense contractors, and government agenciesPrimarily employed in aerospace and defense industries for component development

While both roles require engineering expertise and similar credentials, the Contract Avionics Systems Engineer focuses on integrating and testing entire avionics systems, whereas the Contract Avionics Design Engineer specializes in creating and developing specific avionics components. Understanding these differences helps in selecting the right role for your skills and career goals.

What cities are hiring for Contract Avionics Systems Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Contract Avionics Systems Engineer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Avionics Systems Engineer jobs?

The most popular types of Avionics Systems Engineer jobs are:

What states have the most Contract Avionics Systems Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Contract Avionics Systems Engineer jobs include:

Spacecraft Avionics Systems Engineer

Varda Space Industries

El Segundo, CA

$131K - $184K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

What you will do (Job Responsibilities)

The Avionics Systems team has a comprehensive role overseeing the design, integration, and testing of avionics systems for our Winnebago vehicle. We ensure that all systems are ready for both launch and operational phases, requiring a deep understanding of avionics system design, manufacturing processes, and operational protocols. This role involves close collaboration with various engineering teams, where you will navigate and resolve conflicting requirements to achieve seamless system integration. Your expertise will be crucial in ensuring the vehicle meets its mission objectives, from space manufacturing to hypersonic testing during reentry. 

  • Collaborate with cross functional teams to define project scopes and initial requirements, guiding designs from concept to prototype and full-scale production.
  • Develop electrical architecture, system diagrams, and budgets to account for power, telemetry, channel count, size, and mass predictions used to communicate closing vehicle solutions to company level objectives.
  • Analyze architecture for potential faults and risks, develop comprehensive mitigation plans, resolve uncertainties, and collaborate on Fault Detection Isolation and Recovery (FDIR) or operational workarounds when hardware solutions are unfeasible. 
  • Conduct comprehensive verification plans for avionics systems on flight and HITL hardware, ensuring readiness for launch and compliance with mission objectives for space and reentry operations
  • Participate in mission operations as an Avionics specialist or system operator, where you'll determine system health, suggest corrective actions, and to reentry commit criteria for operational success. 
  • Oversee the integration of the Winnebago avionics systems, acting as the primary point of contact for integrated systems investigations
  • Design, build, and operate the Hardware In The Loop (HITL) testbeds, simulating the spacecraft on the ground to ensure all systems are mission ready
  • Develop avionics ground infrastructure, supporting the design and integration of test racks and R&D equipment used to power and communicate with the flight vehicles. Contribute to developing engineering best practices, focusing on increased test automation and efficiency. 
  • Draw from your experiences to help mentor and train new engineers, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement within the team. 
What you will bring (Basic Qualifications)
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. 
  • Experience: At least 3 years of experience in system design, test planning, and validation. 
  • Programming Skills: Proficiency in programming and debugging with Python. 
  • Technical Expertise: Experience with power supplies, modular DAQ systems, RTD and 4-20mA devices, and general test equipment. 
What would be a plus (Preferred Qualifications)
  • Proven experience taking vehicle electrical systems from concept to operational production. 
  • Prior experience setting up HITL testbeds, managing configuration control, and conducting system level tests. 
  • Familiarity with Unix environments and the ability to use command line utilities. 
  • Experience developing test cases and test equipment to meet vehicle operating conditions. 
  • Strong project or program management skills
  • Prior roles: Avionics Hardware, FPGA Engineer, Electronics Test Engineer, Electrical Systems Engineer
How Varda compensates
  • Salary range: $131,000 - $184,000 annually.
  • This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA.
  • Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance.
  • Offer compensation also includes the ability to receive stock options under the Company's Equity Incentive Plan.

#LI-VSI