Lead Avionics Supplier Development Engineer

Senior Avionics Supplier Development Engineer
Contract Length: Through 12/31/2026
Location: Kent, WA;
El Segundo, CA; or Woodland Hills, CA
Work Setup: On-site
Travel: Up to 30%

Join an aerospace operations organization supporting manufacturing and supply chain activities for next-generation launch vehicle programs. The Senior Avionics Supplier Development Engineer bridges internal engineering teams and critical supplier partners to resolve technical issues, develop sustainable manufacturing processes, mitigate risk, and support safe, repeatable space flight.

Senior Avionics Supplier Development Engineer Responsibilities

• Team up with Integrated Product Team leadership to capture product concepts, requirements, and identify design artifacts relevant to product manufacture in alignment with program technical and business goals.
• Champion avionics product development project management best known practices (initiation, planning, execution, performance/controls, and closeout) and drive Integrated Product Teams to develop and release product artifacts for manufacture.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and integration teams, and supply chain teams, to develop and release product statements of work (SoWs), specifications, Supplier Data Requirement Lists [SDRLs], and other product development artifacts relevant to external fabrication.
• Coordinate with supply chain management and partner with contract manufacturers to negotiate, plan, execute and deliver avionics products (including End Item Data Packages [EIDPs]) in alignment with program business and technical goals and procurement timelines.
• Strengthen vendor relationship by communicating program business and technical product development information and changes to suppliers, while also conveying supplier capabilities, performance and execution to engineering teams and management.
• Create and coordinate the demand signal for hardware purchases, partnering with supporting functions including Supply Chain Planning, Production Control, Fulfillment, Accounts Payable, and Supplier Quality to facilitate order placement and product delivery.
• Schedule regular status meetings with suppliers to monitor performance, address risks, resolve issues, track execution and ensure quality product design and manufacturing processes, incorporating DFX feedback where appropriate.
• Coordinate and collaborate with internal product test teams, contract manufacturer and contract test house to plan and conduct product functional, acceptance and qualification testing.
• Drive IPTs by managing scope changes, deviations, and schedule adjustments, serving as the primary supplier contact, and guiding supplier selection based on strategic criteria by working with the commodity managers team.
• Manage suppliers for critical components like Instrumentation Sensors, Batteries and Avionics Boxes, ensuring rigorous technical and supply chain coordination, risk management, and adherence to schedule and cost expectations.

The Senior Avionics Supplier Development Engineer will also own technical risk identification and mitigation strategies at suppliers and participate in failure investigations and Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) activities as needed.

Senior Avionics Supplier Development Engineer Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a relevant avionics engineering field with project management experience or training.
• 5-10 years of experience developing complex electronic products (both printed circuit boards and electronic enclosures), manufacturing, NPI program management, and product test.
• Solid experience working with cross-functional product development teams and external manufacturers to plan, fabricate, test and deliver complex electronic products.
• Solid expertise understanding,…