Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)

MANAGER-R&D - Avionics-Electrical Engineering Manager

Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's in Electrical, Aerospace, Systems Engineering or related field; advanced degrees preferred.
  • 10+ years leading multidisciplinary engineering teams in avionics and embedded electronics development.
  • 10+ years experience with USAF modernization and sustainment programs, specifically with avionics verification.
  • 8+ years managing engineering personnel, operational budgets, and technical execution in DoD avionics systems.
  • 5+ years verifying and validating embedded avionics systems through automated and environmental testing.

Responsibilities

  • Lead Avionics Test Engineering for technical excellence and business growth.
  • Collaborate with Program Managers and engineers to define verification strategies and resources.
  • Provide technical leadership for embedded electronics and automated test equipment.
  • Establish standardized lab processes and methodologies while mentoring staff.
  • Drive business development to capture avionics verification and sustainment opportunities.
  • Plan and manage daily engineering and administrative activities.
  • Engage in customer interactions and deliver technical presentations supporting business growth.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health insurance and retirement plans.
  • Employee development and training programs.
  • Opportunities for career advancement and growth within the company.
  • Work in a military-friendly environment with respect for veteran experience.
  • Flexible scheduling and travel opportunities to various Air Force bases.
Full Job Description
Objectives of this Role:

  • Lead the Avionics Test Engineering to achieve technical excellence, staff utilization, financial performance, and business growth while developing strategic capabilities supporting verification and validation of mission-critical avionics systems.
  • Partner with Program Managers, SME Engineers, and customers to define verification strategies, staffing, schedules, technical risks, and laboratory resources supporting hardware development, qualification, production, and sustainment programs.
  • Provide technical leadership for embedded electronics test systems, automated test equipment (ATE), avionics integration laboratories, qualification testing, and production acceptance testing supporting U.S. Air Force weapon systems.
  • Establish standardized laboratory processes, verification methodologies, automated test architectures, and engineering best practices while mentoring multidisciplinary engineering teams and advancing organizational technical capabilities.
  • Lead business development and strategic marketing efforts to identify, shape, capture, and win avionics verification, automated test system, laboratory modernization, and sustainment opportunities supporting continued department growth.


Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

  • Plan, organize, and lead daily technical and administrative activities while managing engineering staff utilization, laboratory resources, budgets, employee development, and execution of avionics verification and validation programs.
  • Travel regularly to Hill AFB, Tinker AFB, Robins AFB, Wright-Patterson AFB, and other customer locations to support technical interchange meetings, laboratory demonstrations, program execution, and business development activities.
  • Direct development of automated test equipment (ATE), hardware-in-the-loop systems, laboratory instrumentation, embedded software test solutions, environmental test systems, and production acceptance testers.
  • Ensure developed avionics hardware and electronic assemblies successfully meet performance, environmental, EMI/EMC, nuclear survivability, airworthiness, and customer qualification requirements through comprehensive verification and validation.
  • Lead customer engagement, strategic marketing, proposal development, ROMs, RFIs, technical presentations, white papers, and capture activities supporting opportunities from concept development through contract award.


Requirements:

  • Requires a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related engineering discipline. Other degree fields may be considered with highly relevant experience supporting USAF avionics modernization and sustainment programs. Advanced degrees are preferred.
  • 10 years: Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary engineering teams developing embedded electronics, avionics hardware, automated test equipment, verification laboratories, production test systems, and qualification test programs.
  • 10 years: Experience supporting USAF bomber, tanker, heavy aircraft, or strategic weapon system modernization and sustainment programs with experience developing avionics verification architectures, qualification strategies, and laboratory test capabilities.
  • 8+ years: Demonstrated leadership managing engineering personnel, laboratory operations, utilization, budgets, technical execution, proposals, ROMs, RFIs, and strategic business development supporting DoD avionics and electronic systems.
  • 5+ years: Experience leading verification and validation of embedded avionics systems including automated testing, environmental qualification, EMI/EMC, production acceptance testing, airworthiness verification, and system integration.
  • A valid/clear drivers license is required.


Special Requirements:

Applicant selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen.

Job Locations: San Antonio, Texas

Military Friendly: Your military experience may apply to this position

For more information about this division, visit the Defense & Intelligence Solutions home page.

For benefits information at our San Antonio location, click here .
For benefits information at all other locations, click here .

About Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is a non-profit research and development organization headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. The institute was founded in 1947 and has since grown to employ over 3,000 people across multiple locations in the United States. SwRI provides research and development services to a variety of industries, including automotive, aerospace, and energy. The institute's research areas include automation and data systems, chemistry and chemical engineering, and space science and engineering. SwRI has a long history of working with government agencies, including NASA and the Department of Defense, as well as private companies.
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