Principal Engineer - Airborne Hardware

Company Overview

For more than 60 years, Data Device Corporation (DDC) has been recognized as a world leader in the design and manufacture of high-reliability Connectivity, Power, and Control solutions for the Aerospace, Defense, and Space industries. Our dedication to supplying quality products, on-time delivery, and superior support, has contributed to the success of our customers and the critical missions they serve.

Great River Technology (GRT) located in Albuquerque, NM, a wholly owned subsidiary of Data Device Corporation, is a leader in high performance digital video and data development tools and services for the mil/aero industry. Since it’s founding in 1996, it has developed partnerships with leading commercial and military companies worldwide.

This position is 100% onsite at GRT in Albuquerque, NM.

Due to U.S. export control requirements, this position is open only to candidates who qualify as a “U.S. Person.” This generally includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents/green card holders, and certain protected individuals, including refugees and asylees.

Description

Great River Technology (GRT) is searching for a Principal Hardware Engineer to serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in ARINC 818 digital video interface design, testing, simulation, and VHDL implementation within the aerospace domain.

This role requires an individual with a proven track record of architecting, developing, and verifying complex airborne electronic hardware, with a particular emphasis on high-speed digital video and data communication systems.

The successful candidate will provide technical depth and leadership, mentor junior engineers, and significantly contribute to the strategic direction of GRT’s hardware development initiatives.

Responsibilities

• ARINC 818 Expertise:
• Serve as the primary technical authority for all aspects of ARINC 818 design, including 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 and procedures for ARINC 818 compliance, robustness, and performance validation, often leveraging custom test rigs and advanced instrumentation.
• Pioneer and refine simulation methodologies for ARINC 818 links, including model development, analysis of signal integrity, and performance prediction in complex system environments.
• VHDL Development & FPGA Design:
• Design, develop, and verify complex VHDL code for high-performance FPGAs (e.g., Xilinx) used in mission-critical aerospace applications.
• Expertise in FPGA architecture, floor planning, timing closure, synthesis, and place and route optimization for challenging aerospace requirements.
• Implement digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms and video processing pipelines within FPGAs.
• Develop comprehensive verification environments using VHDL, UVM, or other appropriate methodologies to ensure design integrity and functional correctness.
• Hardware Design Leadership:
• Lead the full lifecycle hardware development for airborne electronic systems, from requirements definition and conceptual design through detailed design, integration, verification, and production support.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of power consumption, component stress, worst-case tolerances, and reliability for critical hardware components.
• Collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams, including 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, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement.
• Certification & Compliance:
• Deep understanding and proven experience with aerospace certification standards.
• Contribute to the generation 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.
• Problem Solving & Innovation:
• Identify, diagnose, and resolve complex hardware issues, utilizing advanced diagnostic tools and methodologies.
• Stay abreast of 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 component obsolescence management.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in hardware design and development within the aerospace or defense industry.
• 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 (EDA) tools for schematic capture, simulation (e.g., ModelSim/QuestaSim, Vivado Simulator), and FPGA development (e.g., 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with other aerospace data bus standards.
• Experience with Python or other scripting languages for test automation and data analysis.