Principal Electrical Engineer

About the role

Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems (AES) is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer with a strong track record of implementing advanced power conversion technologies into aerospace-grade power supply and power conversion products. Join our accomplished Cabin Electronics Power Team in Kirkland, WA and help us transform modern flight. This is an on-site position that offers flexibility to work from home 2–3 days per week, depending on project needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for the design and development of in-seat power supplies and USB outlet units for commercial aircraft.
• Lead the electrical design based on functional requirements, guide the engineering team through product certification, and drive technology innovation through targeted R&D activities.
• Apply extensive knowledge of power conversion technologies, with emphasis on resonant converters and digital control techniques.
• Perform electrical simulations and trade studies to optimize designs for performance, reliability, and cost.
• Lead the electrical technical team to achieve successful product certification to DO-160, Airbus, and Boeing requirements.
• Conduct R&D activities and evaluate emerging power conversion technologies for potential integration into future products.
• Diagnose and resolve development hardware failures, implementing robust corrective design changes.

Requirements

• Provide technical leadership for the design and development of in-seat power supplies and USB outlet units for commercial aircraft.
• Translate functional and system-level requirements into robust electrical architectures and detailed designs.
• Propose, plan, and execute R&D activities that advance the group’s power supply and power conversion capabilities, including evaluation of new technologies and topologies.
• Apply extensive knowledge of power conversion technologies, with emphasis on resonant converters and digital control techniques.
• Perform electrical simulations and trade studies using advanced tools (e.g., OrCAD, SPICE, SABER) to determine optimal design approaches.
• Stay current with industry trends in power electronics and incorporate relevant advancements into new product development.
• Ensure designs meet applicable aerospace industry standards, including DO-160 as well as Airbus and Boeing requirements.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive electrical design documentation, including schematics, design descriptions, analyses, and compliance evidence.
• Create clear, technically rigorous test procedures, test reports, and requirements documents, and present them as a subject-matter expert at internal and external design reviews.
• Prepare and present technical analyses, design justifications, and trade study results to internal stakeholders and customers.
• Support product certification activities, coordinating closely with systems, compliance, and test teams to demonstrate requirements verification and validation.
• Troubleshoot development hardware issues, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective design changes.
• Support bid and proposal efforts and assist with new business and follow-on opportunities as a technical leader.

Qualifications

• Provide technical leadership for the design and development of in-seat power supplies and USB outlet units for commercial aircraft.
• Translate functional and system-level requirements into robust electrical architectures and detailed designs.
• Propose, plan, and execute R&D activities that advance the group’s power supply and power conversion capabilities, including evaluation of new technologies and topologies.
• Apply extensive knowledge of power conversion technologies, with emphasis on resonant converters and digital control techniques.
• Perform electrical simulations and trade studies using advanced tools (e.g., OrCAD, SPICE, SABER) to determine optimal design approaches.
• Stay current with industry trends in power electronics and incorporate relevant advancements into new product development.
• Ensure designs meet applicable aerospace industry standards, including DO-160 as well as Airbus and Boeing requirements.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive electrical design documentation, including schematics, design descriptions, analyses, and compliance evidence.
• Create clear, technically rigorous test procedures, test reports, and requirements documents, and present them as a subject-matter expert at internal and external design reviews.
• Prepare and present technical analyses, design justifications, and trade study results to internal stakeholders and customers.
• Support product certification activities, coordinating closely with systems, compliance, and test teams to demonstrate requirements verification and validation.
• Troubleshoot development hardware issues, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective design changes.
• Support bid and proposal efforts and assist with new business and follow-on opportunities as a technical leader.

Skills

• Provide technical leadership for the design and development of in-seat power supplies and USB outlet units for commercial aircraft.
• Translate functional and system-level requirements into robust electrical architectures and detailed designs.
• Propose, plan, and execute R&D activities that advance the group’s power supply and power conversion capabilities, including evaluation of new technologies and topologies.
• Apply extensive knowledge of power conversion technologies, with emphasis on resonant converters and digital control techniques.
• Perform electrical simulations and trade studies using advanced tools (e.g., OrCAD, SPICE, SABER) to determine optimal design approaches.
• Stay current with industry trends in power electronics and incorporate relevant advancements into new product development.
• Ensure designs meet applicable aerospace industry standards, including DO-160 as well as Airbus and Boeing requirements.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive electrical design documentation, including schematics, design descriptions, analyses, and compliance evidence.
• Create clear, technically rigorous test procedures, test reports, and requirements documents, and present them as a subject-matter expert at internal and external design reviews.
• Prepare and present technical analyses, design justifications, and trade study results to internal stakeholders and customers.
• Support product certification activities, coordinating closely with systems, compliance, and test teams to demonstrate requirements verification and validation.
• Troubleshoot development hardware issues, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective design changes.
• Support bid and proposal efforts and assist with new business and follow-on opportunities as a technical leader.

Benefits

• Health & Well-Being: Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, plus optional critical illness, accident prevention, and hospital indemnity coverage.
• Financial Security: 401(k) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Work–Life Balance: Flexible hybrid work arrangements for eligible positions, Employee Assistance Program, and a supportive culture encouraging balance.
• Gross PTO: Starting at 120 hours annually, plus 12 paid holidays per year.

Pay

Salary range: $152,072 – $242,920 per year (midpoint: $197,496).

Quarterly Profit Sharing Bonus eligible.

Factors such as experience in comparable roles, skill set, training, education, certifications, other qualifications, market conditions, and business needs influence the actual salary offered. It is not typical to be hired at or near the top of the range.

Schedule

This is an on-site position that offers flexibility to work from home 2–3 days per week, depending on project needs.