Chief Hardware Architect

Job description

At Avidyne, our hardware serves as the aircraft's nervous system, and every aspect of it is meticulously designed. We are seeking our most senior technical authority in hardware engineering; an individual who will take full ownership of the architecture strategy, technology roadmap, and design standards for every board, chip, and circuit that is included in an Avidyne product. WHAT YOU’LL OWN As Chief Hardware Architect, you are Avidyne’s expert on resolving the most challenging and unclear hardware issues we encounter, particularly those that span across product lines, teams, and multiple years of our roadmap. You’ll define the architecture strategy and technology roadmap for processor boards, FPGA hardware, and mixed signal circuits across every avionics product line we build, and set the PCB design, schematic capture, and layout standards (Altium or equivalent) that the whole hardware organization designs against. This involves leading enterprise level design and architecture reviews, advising executive leadership on technology strategy as well as make-or-buy decisions, and representing Avidyne’s hardware capabilities to customers, suppliers, and regulators. Additionally, you will provide senior technical oversight during board bring-up, debugging, and validation, stepping in personally when a particularly challenging hardware issue arises. You’ll lead a team of outstanding electrical engineers directly, mentor and collaborate with Principal and Senior engineers across the broader organization, raising the technical bar everywhere you go. And on safety, you’ll champion safety-of-flight design principles companywide, ensuring every architecture decision supports DO-254, DO-160, and MIL-STD-810 certification from day one; not as a checkbox, but as the standard. WHY AVIDYNE At Avidyne, our culture is grounded in the philosophy of Simply Flying; a focus on creating practical, effective solutions that make a real impact. Built for those who never settle for good enough, we’re looking for dedicated professionals who bring integrity to every decision and push for smarter, safer solutions; because every flight depends on it. Here, innovation is driven by people who care deeply about the future of aviation. Your ideas can help create safer, smarter solutions; your work will truly make a difference. WHAT YOU NEED • Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or another engineering discipline. • 10+ years of progressive hardware engineering experience, including architecting complex, safety-critical electronic systems; or a master’s degree plus 8 years of similar industry experience. • Deep proficiency in schematic capture and layout tools (Altium Designer or equivalent), with the judgment to set standards across an organization. • Strong expertise across FPGA hardware, processor boards, and mixed-signal circuit architecture. • Hands-on experience leading board bring-up, debug, and validation of complex hardware designs. • Proven ability to lead at the enterprise level, influencing engineers, executives, and stakeholders on high-stakes, high-ambiguity technical calls. HELPFUL TO HAVE • Master’s or Ph.D. in electrical or computer engineering. • Extensive experience architecting safety-critical, certified hardware in avionics, aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated industries. • Deep experience with DO-254, DO-160, MIL-STD-810, or equivalent certification and environmental qualification standards. • Experience setting technology strategy or roadmaps at a business-unit or company level. • Applied knowledge of aircraft systems and avionics sub-systems. • Pilot’s license, flight training, or strong familiarity with general aviation environments. PAY & BENEFITS At Avidyne, we are committed to creating customized compensation packages that reflect each individual's unique skill set, experience level, and areas of expertise, with base pay ranges discussed during the interview process. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, starting your first day of employment Short-term and long-term disability insurance, plus life insurance 401(k) matching: we match 50% of an employee's first 6% Flexible time off (FTO) and 10 paid holidays a year Reimbursement for certain career-related educational expenses, including tuition and private pilot license assistance (ask your recruiter about our flight club benefits) Note: Benefits, compensation, bonuses, and learning programs are dependent on role type, job level, and eligibility, with specific terms.