Avionics Test Manager

About the role

The future of aerospace and defense starts here.

Ursa Major was founded to revolutionize how America and its allies access and apply high-performance propulsion, from hypersonics to solid rocket motors, satellite maneuvering and launch. We design and deliver propulsion and defense systems that solve the most urgent and critical national security demands.

Our products and technologies require an extraordinary team. A team that will mold tomorrow's technologies while deploying today's best. We are an intrinsically motivated team that has a passion for solving problems and empowering each other every day to develop our skills, knowing that there is always room for growth.

Mission-critical avionics require equally capable test systems to verify performance, reliability, and production readiness. The Avionics Test Manager leads and contributes directly to the design, development, integration, and maintenance of Special Test Equipment (STE) and Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) used to develop, qualify, and produce advanced aerospace and defense avionics.

This role includes both technical and managerial responsibilities. Approximately half of your time will be spent as a hands-on senior test engineer-designing interface electronics, fixtures, and test architectures, troubleshooting complex issues, and participating in design reviews. The other half will focus on leading a small test engineering team, managing priorities and schedules, coordinating across programs, and driving test strategy and process improvements.

The ideal candidate is a strong individual contributor who has grown into leadership, and enjoys both solving detailed technical problems and building a high-performing team and test capability.

Responsibilities

Technical (~50%)

• Design, develop, integrate, and maintain ATE, STE, and EGSE for avionics development, qualification, and production.
• Create and review schematics, wiring diagrams, cable assemblies, interface electronics, fixtures, and harnesses for automated test systems.
• Select, integrate, and configure laboratory instrumentation and communication interfaces into automated test solutions.
• Support HIL, qualification, environmental, and production acceptance testing by ensuring adequate coverage of processor-based, FPGA-based, and mixed-signal avionics assemblies.
• Troubleshoot complex hardware and hardware/software integration issues; lead bring-up, verification, and validation of new test equipment.
• Lead technical reviews, trade studies, and failure investigations related to test systems.

Leadership & Program Execution (~50%)

• Lead and mentor a small test engineering team, balancing hands-on contributions with coaching, task assignment, and performance feedback.
• Plan and prioritize test engineering work across multiple programs; own test hardware schedules, deliverables, risk management, and status communication.
• Collaborate with Test Software, Flight Software, FPGA, Electrical Design, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Program Management to deliver integrated and production-ready test solutions.
• Drive Root Cause & Corrective Action for test equipment and product issues and ensure clear documentation and communication of findings.
• Establish and improve standards, processes, and metrics for test hardware design, documentation, configuration management, and equipment reliability.
• Champion continuous improvement in test capability, automation, reuse, and throughput; support audits and reviews related to test systems and processes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 6 years of experience developing electrical test equipment, laboratory instrumentation systems, or automated hardware test solutions, including significant experience with ATE/STE/EGSE for complex electronics.
• Demonstrated hands-on expertise in:
• Mixed-signal circuit design and test hardware (analog/digital, signal integrity, grounding, power distribution, PCB layout principles).
• Integrating commercial instrumentation (oscilloscopes, DMMs, power supplies, loads, signal generators, switching systems, DAQ) into automated test systems.
• Developing schematics, wiring diagrams, cable assemblies, and interface control documents.
• Strong experience troubleshooting complex electrical hardware and hardware/software integration issues in automated test environments.
• Knowledge of communication interfaces such as SPI, I²C, UART, CAN, Ethernet, USB, RS-422/485, PXI, and/or GPIB.
• 1-3+ years of experience in a leadership capacity (e.g., technical lead, project lead, or direct people manager) with evidence of successful project delivery and team development.
• Proven ability to balance personal technical contributions with planning, coordination, and stakeholder communication responsibilities.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills, including the ability to explain technical tradeoffs and risk in a clear, concise way.
• Must be a U.S. Person with the ability to perform work subject to ITAR/EAR regulations and applicable program requirements.

Desirable Experience

• Experience developing Automated Test Equipment (ATE), Special Test Equipment (STE), or Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) for aerospace or defense systems.
• Experience supporting FPGA-based electronics, embedded systems, or mission-critical avionics hardware.
• Experience with high-reliability electronic hardware qualification, acceptance testing, and environmental testing.
• Experience designing custom interface electronics, relay switching matrices, signal conditioning circuits, and power control hardware.
• Experience using schematic capture and PCB layout tools such as Altium Designer, KiCad, Cadence Allegro, or equivalent.
• Familiarity with IPC Class 3 workmanship standards and aerospace manufacturing practices.
• Experience supporting EMI/EMC testing and hardware qualification to military or aerospace standards.
• Experience collaborating with automated test software development teams using LabVIEW, TestStand, Python, C#, or similar technologies.
• Active U.S. Department of Defense Security Clearance or the ability to obtain one.

Pay and benefits

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $132,000 - $165,000, determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. What we can't quantify for you are the exciting challenges, supportive team, and amazing culture we enjoy.

Classification: Full-time Exempt

Benefits

(Please note, Interns are not eligible for benefits):

• Unlimited PTO - Vacation, Sick, Personal, and Bereavement
• Paid Parental and Adoptive Leave
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Tax Advantage Accounts (HSA/FSA)
• Employer Paid Short and Long Term Disability, Basic Life, AD&D
• Additional Benefit Options Including Voluntary Life and Emergency Medical Transport
• EAP Program
• Retirement Savings Plan - 401k with Company Match

How To Apply

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by filling out the application below and clicking "Submit Application". This position will be posted for a minimum of 3 days and will remain open until filled or adjusted based on the volume of applicants.

Note

• Research suggests that women and BIPOC individuals may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who believes they have the skills and the drive necessary to succeed here to apply for this role.
• Must be a U.S. Person (this includes U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents).
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance.
• No outside recruiters, please.