Branch Head - Avionics Engineer

5w1 month ago

Georgia Tech Research Institute

Smyrna, US · Full-time · $130,000 – $160,000

About this role

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) seeks a Branch Head to lead the Airborne Test and Verification (ATV) Branch within the Command, Control, and Communications Division. This role combines administrative leadership with hands-on avionics engineering to drive sponsored research projects for government and industry.

The Branch Head manages a multidisciplinary team of 7-15 FTE, overseeing hiring, appraisals, and project success. In the technical capacity of Avionics Engineer, you will define and design military avionic systems, develop integrated system-level designs, and analyze laboratory and flight test data.

Located in Smyrna, Georgia (Metro Atlanta), the ATV Branch provides rigorous software, system, and platform-level testing for C3D programs. The team operates across the full development lifecycle—from requirements development to final delivery—using Model Based System Engineering, laboratory analysis hardware, and Agile methodologies.

This position offers the opportunity to lead cutting-edge avionics research and contribute to white papers and proposals for new programs. You will shape the technical direction of the branch while collaborating with sponsors to achieve complex system-of-systems integration goals.

Requirements

Expertise in military avionic systems design and integration
Knowledge of aircraft safety standards (e.g., FAA) and security, robustness, and performance requirements
Proficiency with Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) tools and methodologies
Experience with laboratory analysis hardware and software development environments
Familiarity with Agile development methodologies
Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage 7-15 full-time employees
Proven track record in securing and executing sponsored research projects

Responsibilities

Lead multiple sponsored research projects as Branch Head
Manage branch administrative activities including hiring, appraisals, and sponsored project success
Define and design military avionic systems and systems-of-systems
Develop integrated system-level designs for avionic functions such as navigation, tactical data links, electronic warfare, and data fusion
Integrate avionics systems within aircraft, aircraft-to-aircraft, and aircraft-to-ground systems
Analyze laboratory and flight test data for functionality and performance
Provide expertise and technical leadership to programs and sponsors through the full development lifecycle
Seek out and respond to opportunities for new research; lead and contribute to white papers and proposals