Principal Electrical Engineer

Location:

Irvine, United States of America

Thales people architect solutions that enable two-thirds of planes to take off and land safely. We create in-flight entertainment systems that engross 50 million fliers every year and we develop the avionics that control the world’s largest commercial aircrafts. Our simulators train the next generation of pilots for fighter jets, transporters and search and rescue helicopters. And, together, each and every member of our aerospace team makes a difference.

Thales is looking for a Principal Electrical Engineer to serve as the recognized technical authority for the hardware design, development, testing, and qualification of IFEC head‑end Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) products, ensuring that all deliverables set industry benchmarks for size, weight, power, performance, reliability, maintainability, and reparability. You act as the principal hardware engineering leader, steering complex embedded solutions from concept to production, orchestrating multidisciplinary co‑engineering activities in collaboration with PCB, Mechanical, Software, and Systems Engineering teams.

In this position, you will leverage your deep domain knowledge and a holistic understanding of customer needs and the full product life cycle, you drive innovative methodologies—including advanced simulations, modeling, prototyping, and rigorous empirical studies—to transform mission and functional requirements into robust architectural designs. You meticulously integrate solution elements, rigorously validate system interactions and operational performance, and ensure that every design aspect is traceable to the original requirements, culminating in a product data package that is production‑ and operations‑ready.

Your strategic influence extends beyond technical execution; you optimize work scope, contractual delivery timelines, and budget adherence, consistently achieving program objectives. You serve as a key technical liaison within the hardware development team (Electrical, Mechanical, Test Engineering, PCB), actively collaborating with Program Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and other stakeholders to communicate technical status, mitigate risks, identify innovation opportunities, and drive resolution action plans.

You interface proactively with both internal and external collaborators, including Product Management, Software and IVVQ Engineering, Industrial Operations, Procurement, NPI teams, development partners, contract manufacturers, suppliers, and vendors—ensuring seamless integration, alignment, and delivery throughout all phases of development.

• Lead the design, development, test, and qualification of advanced embedded digital, analog, high‑speed, and mixed‑signal communication circuits from concept through production, ensuring strong system integration, performance, reliability, and scalability.
• Drive hardware engineering execution to deliver on schedule and within cost, proactively identifying risks, leading failure analysis, and resolving issues across the full product lifecycle.
• Act as the primary technical interface for customers, subcontractors, and internal teams, providing guidance on complex challenges and representing the organization in customer engagements and industry forums.
• Lead cross‑functional design reviews and ensure alignment with performance, cost, manufacturability, serviceability, safety, and regulatory requirements; develop and validate technical specifications, test procedures, and documentation with full traceability.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and best practices, while contributing to technology roadmaps and strategic planning aligned with business objectives and market needs.
• Mentor engineers, foster a culture of technical excellence, and support milestone reviews by reporting on performance, root cause analysis, and mitigation strategies.

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field (Master’s or certifications preferred) with 10+ years of progressive, hands‑on experience in advanced embedded hardware design, including high‑speed…