DescriptionWORK LOCATION: San Luis Obispo, CA
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
SALARY RANGE: The anticipated salary range for this role is $132,000 to $195,000 annually. This range reflects a good faith estimate based on the targeted level for the role and typical compensation benchmarks across U.S. locations. Actual compensation may vary depending on the selected candidate's qualifications, experience, geographical location, and internal alignment.
SUMMARY
The Aircraft Electrical Interconnect (EWIS) Lead functions as a system-level technical leader responsible for architecting, designing, integrating, and validating electrical interconnect across multiple UAS platforms. This role defines electrical architecture, guides subsystem trade studies, ensures seamless cross-discipline integration, and provides deep subject-matter expertise in avionics, power systems, harnessing, and communication networks.This role leads and supervises the team defining interconnect, balancing signal integrity, physical robustness, mass, and manufacturability of harnessing and related interfaces.
The EWIS Lead drives high-impact technical decisions, leads multi-disciplinary investigations, supports major program milestones, and ensures that electrical interconnect designs meet safety, reliability, manufacturability, and sustainment requirements. This role represents electrical engineering in strategic discussions, mentors teams across levels, and plays a key role in developing long-term technology standards and roadmaps. This role also supervises the team of engineers and specialists responsible for delivery of released design and support.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The following job functions are a basic requirement but are not limited to and may be assigned other duties:
- Design and develop complex wire harnesses, including signal, power, data, and RF lines for UAS systems.
- Evaluate complex design trade-offs involving prformance, reliability, environmental constraints, cost, manufacturability, and qualification requirements.
- Design and develop complex wire harnesses, including signal, power, data, and RF lines for UAS systems.
- Develop and maintain bills of materials (BOMs) and support release of drawings into the product lifecycle system.
- Lead high-impact troubleshooting efforts, root-cause analyses, and technical investigations that affect aircraft safety or mission performance.
- Coordinate with software, GNC, mechanical, test, and production teams to ensure seamless electrical integration throughout the product lifecycle.
- Champion electrical engineering best practices, standards, and review processes across multiple programs and sites.
- Represent electrical engineering during major program reviews (CoDR, PDR, CDR, TRR), providing expert-level insight and recommendations.
- Mentor and supervise more junior electrical engineers, supporting their technical development and execution.
- Support supplier management, component selection, and assessment of new technologies relevant to future UAS platforms.
- Drive continuous improvement efforts for test methods, documentation standards, workflow efficiency, and integration strategies.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
The following are a non-exhaustive list of qualifications for the position:
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field required, or equivalent experience delivering electrical interconnect designs to production in mass sensitive applications
- 5+ years of progressive experience in electrical, avionics, or embedded hardware development.
- Demonstrated leadership of small engineering/specialist teams.
- Experience supporting full product lifecycle: concept 12 prototype 12 test 12 flight 12 production.
- Generate and maintain wiring schematics, connector pinouts, and harness assembly drawings using CAD tools.
- Coordinate with manufacturing, test, and quality teams to ensure harness manufacturability, testability, and reliability.
- Deep expertise with avionics integration, power systems, harness architecture, and communication interfaces.
- Advanced proficiency with Altium Designer or equivalent schematic tools.
- Strong knowledge of interconnect design principles, signal integrity, shielding, physical robustness, and environmental qualification constraints.
- Expert-level troubleshooting using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and advanced diagnostic equipment.
- Sound technical judgment and ability to navigate ambiguity in complex system designs.
- Strong communication skills, capable of influencing decisions and presenting to engineering leadership.
- Demonstrated leadership mentoring engineers across multiple levels and disciplines.
- Strong ownership, accountability, and bias toward resolving high-impact issues.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience leading interconnect design for full avionics and power systems.
- Hands-on experience with environmental qualification tests (DO-160, MIL-STD-810).
- Cross-site or multi-program technical leadership experience.
- Experience defining automated test architectures, Python/LabVIEW scripting, or hardware test frameworks.
- Strong command of communication protocols such as CAN, Ethernet, MIPI, RS-422/485, and UAV-specific data buses.
- Advanced proficiency with Altium Designer.
- Ability to shape engineering standards, guidelines, and design methodologies across teams.
- Strong ability to coordinate with external partners, customers, and certification authorities.
- Demonstrated ability to evaluate emerging technologies and guide long-term product evolution.
REDWIRE DEFENSE TECH BENEFITS
- Matching 401(k)
- Paid PTO
- Paid holidays
- Medical, vision, and dental insurance
- Group Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
- HSA and FSA Options
- Critical Care Plan
- Accident Care Plan
- Employee Stock Purchasing Program (ESPP)
CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS
This position may require access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (2ITAR2) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (2EAR2). To comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify a US person9s status under the ITAR and the EAR.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The work environment may involve a standard office setting while also incorporating elements of a production area. Employees will use standard office equipment, including computers, and must demonstrate stamina to sit or stand while maintaining attention to detail despite potential interruptions. The role may require occasional activities such as walking, climbing, stooping, crouching, and bending. Vision is necessary for reading printed materials and a computer screen, while hearing and speech are essential for effective communication both in person and over the telephone. Additionally, the position may necessitate travel by air or automobile. Employees may be required to use personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, safety shoes, and shop coats, to ensure safety in the production environment. Employees may be able to lift up to 30 pounds as needed.
