Principal Engineer - Airborne Hardware

Great River Technology is seeking a Principal Engineer - Airborne Hardware for on-site work in Houston, TX. This role centers on ARINC 818 design, VHDL and FPGA development, and hardware leadership for aerospace avionics with a strong certification and compliance focus. The position offers a salary range of USD 130,000 to 200,000 per year.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary technical authority for all aspects of ARINC 818 design, covering Fibre Channel protocols, video formats, timing, and link integrity.
• Lead the architectural definition, detailed design, and implementation of ARINC 818 interfaces for advanced avionics systems.
• Develop and execute comprehensive test plans for ARINC 818 compliance, robustness, and performance validation, often using custom test rigs and advanced instrumentation.
• Pioneer and refine simulation methodologies for ARINC 818 links, including model development, signal integrity analysis, and performance prediction in complex systems.
• Design, develop, and verify complex VHDL code for high-performance FPGAs used in mission-critical aerospace applications.
• Apply deep expertise in FPGA architecture, floor planning, timing closure, synthesis, and place-and-route optimization for stringent aerospace requirements.
• Implement digital signal processing and video processing pipelines within FPGAs.
• Develop verification environments using VHDL, UVM, or other appropriate methodologies to ensure design integrity and functional correctness.
• Lead the full lifecycle hardware development for airborne electronic systems, from requirements and conceptual design through integration, verification, and production support.
• Perform in-depth analyses of power consumption, component stress, worst-case tolerances, and reliability for critical hardware components.
• Collaborate with Systems Engineering, Software Development, and Manufacturing to ensure seamless integration and optimal system performance.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior and mid-level hardware engineers, promoting technical excellence and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrate deep understanding and proven experience with aerospace certification standards.
• Contribute to airworthiness documentation, including hardware design plans, requirements, functional and 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 informed about 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 within 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 such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and network analyzers.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, collaborative, and highly regulated environment.

Technologies

• ARINC 818
• Fibre Channel
• VHDL
• FPGA
• Xilinx
• Vivado
• ModelSim
• QuestaSim
• Vivado Simulator
• UVM
• Python

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

Company Overview

Great River Technology is a pioneering developer of high performance digital video and data development tools and services for the aerospace industry. Since 1996, the company has built strategic partnerships with leading commercial and military organizations worldwide, including major aircraft manufacturers, defense contractors, and aerospace innovators.