LEAD ENGINEER - PRINCIPAL ENGINEER - Senior Avionics Systems Engineer - Oklahoma City, OK

Southwest Research Institute

Oklahoma City, OK

JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Aerospace and Defense, Avionics, Baseline Schedule, Buses, Cadence, Cross-Functional, Defense Intelligence, Documentation, Driver's License, Electrical Engineering, Electricity, Government, Integration Testing, Mechanical Engineering, Problem Solving Skills, RAID Storage, Reliability Engineering, Risk, Risk Management, Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), System Architecture, System Integration (SI), System Readiness Review (SRR), Systems Engineering, Technical Leadership, Test Readiness Review (TRR), Test Strategy, Testing, Traceability, United States Air Force (USAF), United States Citizen, V&V Testing, Verification Plans
LOCATION
Oklahoma City, OK
POSTED
30+ days ago

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LEAD ENGINEER - PRINCIPAL ENGINEER - Senior Avionics Systems Engineer - Oklahoma City, OK

16-01535

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Who We Are:

The Strategic Aerospace Department within the Defense & Intelligence Solutions Division delivers cutting-edge engineering services to enhance the warfighter's capabilities across bomber, tanker, and heavy aircraft platforms. We specialize in world-class research, design, and support, providing innovative solutions to modern challenges and legacy systems for the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command, Department of Defense, allied nations, and the U.S. Government, ensuring mission readiness and technological superiority.

Objectives of this Role:

  • Define end-to-end avionics system architectures and requirements for complex LRUs/SRUs, ensuring full traceability and compliance to platform, safety, and customer mission needs across the program lifecycle.
  • Lead integration planning and execution from concept through flightworthy fielding-interfaces, verification strategy, airworthiness artifacts, and risk reduction-accelerating delivery with predictable outcomes.
  • Serve as the technical integrator across multidisciplinary teams, providing direction to avionics, software, electrical, and test staff to resolve issues, control interfaces, and drive decisions to closure.
  • Ensure government process readiness by shaping compliance evidence (V&V plans, ICDs, reviews, test readiness) and aligning engineering execution to customer approvals, enabling smooth certification and operational acceptance.
  • Drive modernization and sustainment roadmaps by assessing obsolescence, upgrade options, and technical tradeoffs for avionics LRUs/SRUs, translating insights into executable plans that improve reliability, maintainability, and mission readiness.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

  • Translate customer/platform needs into actionable avionics requirements; update traceability, ICDs, and architecture artifacts; resolve requirement conflicts and drive decisions to closure.
  • Lead integration execution across LRU/SRU, software, EE, and test teams-manage interfaces, troubleshoot system issues, and coordinate lab/aircraft integration activities.
  • Maintain the program's technical "battle rhythm" (standups, action tracking, risk/RAID), ensuring blockers are removed and engineering products stay aligned to the baseline and schedule.
  • Conduct architecture and requirements reviews (SRR/PDR/CDR support), publish verification plans/matrices, and ensure V&V evidence is collected, controlled, and audit-ready for customer approval.
  • Lead integration/test readiness and compliance cadence-review DT/OT plans, coordinate airworthiness/flightworthiness artifacts, and brief customer/stakeholders on status, risks, and next steps.

Requirements:

  • Requires a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or Electrical Engineering.
  • 10+ years: Expert avionics systems engineering: develop architecture, allocate requirements, and maintain end-to-end traceability for complex LRUs/SRUs; strong interface definition (ICDs) and configuration discipline across the lifecycle.
  • 10+ years: Proven integration/flightworthy fielding experience: lead V&V strategy, test readiness, and airworthiness artifacts; navigate USAF/government reviews and acceptance processes to deliver operationally ready systems.
  • 10+ years: Strong multi-disciplinary technical leadership: drive decisions across avionics, software, EE, ME, and test teams; resolve integration issues quickly with structured problem-solving and clear technical direction.
  • 10+ years: Systems integration rigor: manage interfaces, timing/data buses, power/thermal constraints, and lab-to-aircraft integration; produce clear technical baselines, risk management, and customer-ready documentation/briefs.
  • A valid/clear drivers license is required.

Special Requirements:

Work assignment is in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Applicant selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen.

Job Locations: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

For more information about this division, visit the Defense & Intelligence Solutions home page.

For benefits information at our San Antonio location, click here.

For benefits information at all other locations, click here.

An Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and veteran status.

If you need assistance with completing the application, please Contact Us

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About the Company

S

Southwest Research Institute

We are R&D problem solvers providing independent, premier services to government and industry clients. Our multidisciplinary nature allows us to rapidly assemble diverse teams to tackle problems from multiple directions. We push the boundaries of science and technology to develop innovative solutions that advance the state of the art and improve human health and safety. Operating as a nonprofit since our 1947 inception, we work in the public’s best interest and toward the betterment of mankind.  At SwRI, we tirelessly pursue innovation and excellence in science and technology for the betterment of humankind. We support work on nearly 4,000 client projects at any given time through a wide range of technical competencies with 2,574 staff members in nine technical divisions. Client services include, but are not limited to, Automotive and Transportation, Biomedical & Health, Chemistry & Materials, Computers and Electronics, Defense & Security, Earth & Space, Energy & Environment, and Manufacturing & Construction. 

TECHNICAL DIVISIONS

  • Applied Physics-Developing advanced electronic and microelectronic devices, power supplies, voice and data communication systems, robot test services, and payloads
  • Applied Power-Using physical science research and applied engineering to produce sensors, instruments, and hardware used worldwide.
  • Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses-Resolving technical and regulatory issues related to a potential geologic repository for spent nuclear fule and high-level radioactive waste.
  • Chemistry and Chemical Engineering-Performing research and technical services using chemistry and chemical engineering technology.
  • Defense and & Intelligence Solutions-Providing advanced direction finding and tracking systems through geolocation system development.
  • Fuels and Lubricants Research-Performing fuels and lubricants research activities to meet regulatory and competitive goals.
  • Intelligent Systems-Providing engineering services in resaerch and development of complex systems and equipment.
  • Mechanical Engineering-Improving safety, reliability, efficiency and life of new or existing mechanical components or systems.
  • Powertrain Engineering-Designing and developing vehicle and engine components to achieve performance and emissions goals.
  • Space Science & Engineering-Developing and managing advanced scientific payloads aboard satellites and sounding rockets.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Innovation in science and technology has been a hallmark of Southwest Research Institute since its earliest days. It's no exaggeration to say we are committed to advancing science and applying technology to benefit government, industry, and all humankind. That is our mission. Our multidisciplinary, collaborative approach allows us to successfully solve clients' most challenging problems. Today, we are a leader among independent, nonprofit research and development organizations. Our staff of 2,574 scientists, engineers, analysts, and support staff members continues to accomplish outstanding fundamental and applied engineering and research for clients from diverse segments of government and industry. Adam L. Hamilton, P.E, President and CEO

IN THE COMMUNITY
Our staff is expert at developing solutions that help build a better tomorrow today; and that practical, innovative spirit carries through to our community interactions. Staff members generously donate time and outher resources to support food drives, blood drives, and other
outreach programs. 
HONORS AND AWARDS
Southwest Research Institute has earned 43 R&D 100 awards since 1971. Each year R&D Magazine recognizes developments regarded as among the 100 most significant technical accomplishments. The Chicago Tribune dubbed the program "the Oscars of Invention". 
COMPANY SIZE
2,000 to 2,499 employees
INDUSTRY
Engineering Services
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Paid Sick Days, Parking, Professional Development, Employee Referral Program, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Events, Retirement / Pension Plans, Tuition Reimbursement, Health Care on Site, Merchandise Discounts, Military Leave, On Site Cafeteria
FOUNDED
1947
WEBSITE
http://www.swri.org/