Avionics Manager; Flight Hardware Development

Avionics Manager

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K  is seeking an Avionics Manager to support our SPACE SUIT DESIGN TEAM for K ’s Science and Space division. The Avionics Manager will supervise daily avionics design, assembly, integration and test activities in the facility. The candidate must be highly organized, work well in pressured situations with diplomacy, and possess the ability to manage multiple projects in a multi‑contract environment.

Experience leading complex systems projects, integrating with stakeholders such as Logistics, Production, Safety & Mission Assurance, Maintenance and Operations, and interacting with NASA customers is desired.

• Lead the team that develops, tests, and certifies avionics hardware that controls Life Support Systems.
• Establish strong working relationships with customer leadership, systems engineering, stakeholders, and NASA customers.
• Lead, collaborate and conduct program design and safety reviews with internal teams and NASA customers for commercial spacesuit development.
• Provide or lead project management efforts for managing and mitigating schedule, budget, and risk activities.
• Write statements of work and manage vendors in Level of Effort and Milestone contracts.
• Provide guidance for hardware and software systems, technical discussions, organization and architecture development.
• Communicate project progress, status, and potential issues to stakeholders and leadership.
• Implement and maintain agile project management methodologies throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure team work meets company and industry standards.
• Foster a culture that empowers employees and fosters personal responsibility.
• Coordinate resource prioritization and allocation within the department.
• Ensure the team’s responsibilities are completed within budget and schedule.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (aerospace, electrical, mechanical, or related discipline).
• 10+ years of management experience in NASA/DOD flight hardware development.
• Experience leading technical teams larger than 5 people.
• Experience in Life Support Systems or other Criticality 1 development and testing of avionics hardware.
• Prior experience in formal test and verification activities including flight hardware.
• Track record of delivering outcomes in ambiguous, fast‑moving environments.
• Uses good judgement to problem‑solve proactively, positively impacting hard challenges.
• Proven to deliver high quality results under tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and the ability to operate with situational awareness.
• Demonstrated leadership experience on projects, technical and otherwise.
• Experience in project monitoring and control.
• Ability to interact across organizations and all levels of personnel.
• Effective at handling multiple tasks, flexible, and responsive to changes, managing manpower, priorities, and customer requirements.

• Knowledge of engineering standards and specifications, and engineering drawing standards.
• Familiarity with aerospace projects.
• Advanced degree (Technical Masters, MBA, or similar).

This position is located onsite at the customer facility.

All K  employees must be team players, able to communicate effectively with internal and external customers, follow safety and quality policies, follow company programs, processes, procedures, practices, requirements, goals, and objectives, and be organized with good time management skills.

K  offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include a 401(k) plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, and a flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development.

K  is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.