Lead Engineer, Avionics Design

As a Lead Engineer, Avionics Design at Anduril Industries, you'll oversee the end-to-end development of avionics systems. This includes leading a team in PCB design, subsystem integration, and ensuring all processes from requirements derivation to system testing are seamless. You'll be responsible for verifying design effectiveness and integrating systems into large-scale vehicle platforms, all while maintaining strict reliability and performance standards vital for military applications.

To qualify for the Lead Engineer, Avionics Design position at Anduril Industries, candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field, along with at least 7 years of experience in designing, testing, and troubleshooting complex avionics modules. Proven leadership experience in managing teams is vital, alongside expertise in PCB design, signal integrity, and familiarity with various electrical standards relevant to military systems.

At Anduril Industries, the culture within the Air Dominance and Strike Electrical Engineering team is highly collaborative and supportive. As a Lead Engineer, you'll find yourself in an environment where innovation thrives and mentorship is encouraged. The focus is on not just meeting objectives but also on professional growth. The team is composed of motivated engineers eager to learn and adapt, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and enthusiasm for defense technology.

The salary range for the Lead Engineer, Avionics Design position at Anduril Industries is estimated between $170,000 and $255,000 USD. Actual salaries may vary based on various factors such as experience, education, skills, and overall business considerations. In addition to a competitive salary, the position includes equity grants and comprehensive benefits, making it an attractive opportunity for qualified candidates.

At Anduril Industries, advancement opportunities for a Lead Engineer, Avionics Design are promising. Given the company's commitment to innovation and professional development, leaders in this role can expect to take on greater responsibilities over time, potentially progressing to senior-level management positions or even directing engineering efforts on new projects and technologies, especially as Anduril continues to expand and innovate in defense technology.

When answering this question, highlight specific projects where you were responsible for PCB design and integration. Discuss the challenges you faced and how you overcame them, focusing on your methodologies for ensuring reliability, adherence to specifications, and collaboration with other engineering disciplines.

Discuss your experience with project management techniques such as Agile or Scrum. Highlight the importance of communication, setting clear expectations, and regularly checking on progress. Share examples of how you’ve motivated teams to meet deadlines and how you handle setbacks or challenges during the project timeline.

You should emphasize your approach to testing, including Design Verification Testing (DVT) and Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP). Discuss how you ensure that each testing phase is thorough and how results inform subsequent design iterations, contributing to a high-quality final product.

Explain your familiarity with standards such as DO-254 and MIL-STD-810. Discuss processes and tools you use to maintain compliance, including documentation, regular audits, and working closely with quality assurance teams throughout the design and testing processes.

Share a specific example of a troubleshooting scenario, detailing the steps you took to identify the root cause of the issue, the tools you used, and how you communicated with your team throughout the process. Conclude with the successful resolution and lessons learned.

Detail specific designs that you have previously implemented which incorporate redundancy and fault tolerance. Discuss your rationale behind these designs and how they improved system reliability during operations, especially in critical missions.

Talk about your experience managing vendor relationships, including selecting vendors, reviewing contracts, and ensuring that they meet technical specifications. Highlight any negotiation experiences or team collaboration methods you used to maintain quality and handle delivery schedules.

Mention specific design tools such as Altium Designer and explain why you prefer them based on their features, user interface, and how they streamline the design process. Provide examples of successful projects where these tools directly contributed to your team's success.

Discuss strategies you employ to stay current, such as attending industry conferences, participating in professional organizations, and engaging with academic research. Emphasize your commitment to continuous learning and how you apply new advancements to your work.

Reflect on aspects such as balancing team dynamics, ensuring effective communication, and maintaining technical excellence. Share a personal anecdote that illustrates how you approached and overcame a significant challenge in a team environment.