Great River Technology partners with leading commercial and military aerospace organizations worldwide. Since 1996, we have built strategic partnerships with major aircraft manufacturers, defense contractors, and aerospace innovators, shaping high-performance digital video and data development tools for the industry. This onsite role resides in the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX area and offers a competitive salary in the USD 130,000 to 200,000 per year range, together with a comprehensive benefits package and relocation support where applicable.
The Principal Engineer, Airborne Hardware role focuses on leading hardware development for airborne avionics systems, with emphasis on ARINC 818 design, FPGA and VHDL work, and certification compliance. You will work across Systems Engineering, Software, and Manufacturing to ensure reliable, high-performing hardware that meets rigorous aerospace standards.
Benefits and compensation are designed to support professional growth and work-life balance, including a broad suite of health, retirement, and development programs, as well as relocation assistance and tuition reimbursement.
Benefits
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid parental leave
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Pet insurance
- Professional development assistance
- Relocation assistance
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Responsibilities
- Serve as the chief technical authority for all ARINC 818 design aspects, including Fibre Channel protocols, video formats, timing, and link integrity.
- Oversee architectural decisions, detailed design, and implementation of ARINC 818 interfaces for advanced avionics systems.
- Develop and run comprehensive test plans to verify ARINC 818 compliance, robustness, and performance, often using custom rigs and advanced instrumentation.
- Create and refine simulation methodologies for ARINC 818 links, including model development, signal integrity analysis, and performance prediction in complex environments.
- Design, develop, and verify complex VHDL code for high-performance FPGAs (such as Xilinx) used in mission-critical aerospace applications.
- Apply deep FPGA expertise spanning architecture, floor planning, timing closure, synthesis, and place-and-route optimization for demanding aerospace requirements.
- Implement DSP algorithms and video processing pipelines within FPGA implementations.
- Develop verification environments using VHDL, UVM, or other appropriate methodologies to ensure design integrity and functional correctness.
- Lead the full hardware development lifecycle for airborne electronic systems from requirements through production support.
- Analyze power consumption, component stress, worst-case tolerances, and reliability for critical hardware components.
- Collaborate with Systems Engineering, Software, and Manufacturing to ensure seamless integration and optimal system performance.
- Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior and mid-level hardware engineers to foster technical excellence and continuous improvement.
- Demonstrate deep understanding and proven experience with aerospace certification standards.
- Contribute to the creation and review of airworthiness documentation, including hardware design plans, technical requirements, functional specifications, design specifications, qualification test plans and reports.
- Ensure designs adhere to industry best practices, internal standards, and regulatory requirements.
- Identify, diagnose, and resolve complex hardware issues using advanced diagnostic tools and methodologies.
- Stay current with emerging technologies, industry trends, and research in digital video, high-speed interfaces, and FPGA technology to drive innovation.
- Propose and implement design improvements for existing products focusing on quality, cost reduction, and obsolescence management.
Requirements
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
- 10+ years of progressive hardware design and development experience in the aerospace or defense sector.
- Extensive experience with VHDL for complex FPGA development in aerospace applications.
- Proven ability to lead technical projects and mentor engineering teams.
- Strong understanding of digital circuit design principles, high-speed digital interfaces, and signal integrity.
- Proficiency with electronic design automation tools for schematic capture, simulation (ModelSim/QuestaSim, Vivado Simulator), and FPGA development (Xilinx, Vivado).
- Experience with test equipment including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and network analyzers.
- Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
- Ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, collaborative, and highly regulated environment.
Technologies
- VHDL
- Xilinx
- Vivado
- ModelSim
- QuestaSim
- UVM
- Python
- ARINC 818
- Fibre Channel
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with other aerospace data bus standards.
- Experience with Python or other scripting languages for test automation and data analysis.
