Lead Electrical Engineer – Aircraft Systems Integration
📍 Waco, Texas (100% Onsite)
💰 $150,000 - $170,000 Base Salary
🚚 Relocation Assistance Available
🕒 9/80 Schedule – Every Other Friday Off
✈️ Aerospace, Defense & Aircraft Modification Programs
Design the Systems That Power Mission-Critical Aircraft
An industry-leading aerospace and defense organization is seeking a Lead Electrical Engineer to support advanced aircraft modification and systems integration programs.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced electrical engineer who enjoys hands-on engineering, solving complex integration challenges, and seeing their designs deployed on real-world aircraft platforms.
You'll play a key role in the design, integration, testing, and verification of aircraft electrical systems, supporting major avionics upgrades, mission system integrations, power distribution systems, and aircraft modernization initiatives.
Whether your experience comes from aerospace, transportation, automotive, military vehicles, rail, heavy equipment, industrial controls, or other complex electrical systems environments, this role offers the chance to apply your expertise to some of the most advanced airborne platforms in operation today.
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
This isn't a desk-only design role.
You'll be involved throughout the full engineering lifecycle—from requirements and design through integration, troubleshooting, aircraft testing, and operational deployment.
You'll work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams while gaining direct exposure to aircraft systems, advanced avionics technologies, and mission-critical defense programs.
Highlights include:
Work directly on operational aircraft platforms
Lead complex electrical integration and modification projects
Design and validate aircraft power and signal interfaces
Participate in lab testing and aircraft testing activities
Influence technical solutions and engineering decisions
Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership
Outstanding long-term growth opportunities within aerospace and defense
What You'll Be Doing
Aircraft Electrical Systems Design
Design and develop electrical integration solutions for aircraft modification programs
Support avionics upgrades and aircraft systems modernization initiatives
Develop electrical interface designs and power distribution solutions
Apply electrical requirements and design standards to complex integration efforts
Generate professional engineering drawings, documentation, and technical reports
Systems Integration & Verification
Support integration of electrical, avionics, and mission systems
Evaluate wiring architectures, signal interfaces, and power requirements
Verify electrical interfaces and system compatibility
Troubleshoot integration issues and identify root causes
Support hardware installation and aircraft modification activities
Testing & Validation
Develop electrical test plans and verification procedures
Conduct testing in laboratory and aircraft environments
Analyze test results and resolve technical issues
Support qualification, acceptance, and operational testing activities
Ensure systems meet performance and customer requirements
Technical Leadership
Serve as a technical leader within the Electrical Engineering team
Support project planning, budget tracking, and schedule management
Mentor and develop junior engineers
Coordinate activities across engineering disciplines
Drive technical excellence and engineering best practices
What We're Looking For
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline
AND
Minimum 9 years of relevant engineering experience
OR
Master's Degree with 7+ years of relevant experience
OR
13+ years of relevant experience in lieu of degree
Required Technical Experience
Electrical systems integration
Wiring and signal interface design
Electrical design for complex systems
Troubleshooting and verification testing
Interface control and systems integration activities
Experience with at least one electrical CAD platform
CAD Tool Experience
Experience with one or more of the following:
Visual Engineer
AutoCAD Electrical
Capital Harness
Similar electrical design and harness development tools
Highly Preferred Experience
Wire Harness & Interconnect Design
Candidates with experience in:
Wire harness design
Electrical routing
Connector selection
Signal integrity
Power distribution systems
Interface design
will be especially attractive.
Industry-specific aerospace experience is not required. Candidates from other complex engineering environments with strong electrical integration backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Aerospace & Military Standards
Exposure to any of the following is beneficial:
SAE AS50881
MIL-STD-704
MIL-E-7016
SAE ARP4754
MIL-STD-461
MIL-STD-810
MIL-STD-882
MIL-HDBK-516
Additional Preferred Experience
Aircraft systems integration
Avionics upgrades
Military aircraft modification programs
Power distribution systems
Digital and analog signal interfaces
System troubleshooting and root cause analysis
Engineering leadership or task leadership experience
Technical Knowledge Areas
The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of:
Digital and analog signal interfaces
Voltage drop considerations
Timing requirements
Data communications and handshaking protocols
Electrical power distribution
System-level integration challenges
Verification and validation processes
Work Environment
This role combines office, laboratory, and aircraft environments.
Candidates should be comfortable:
Working directly on aircraft
Operating in aircraft hangars
Climbing into and around aircraft
Supporting installation and test activities
Working in confined areas when necessary
Participating in hands-on troubleshooting efforts
Security Requirements
Candidates must:
Be U.S. Citizens
Be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense Security Clearance
Preferred
Active DoD Secret Clearance
Travel & Schedule
✈️ Less than 10% travel
🕒 9/80 Schedule
Enjoy every other Friday off while supporting exciting aerospace programs.
Occasional overtime may be required based on program schedules and testing activities.
Compensation & Benefits
💰 Base Salary: $150,000 - $170,000
Additional benefits include:
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
Retirement savings plans
Paid time off and company holidays
Relocation assistance for qualified candidates
Interview travel reimbursement
Professional development opportunities
Long-term career advancement within a growing aerospace organization
Why Join?
This is a unique opportunity to work on highly visible aircraft modernization and systems integration programs where your engineering expertise will directly influence the performance, reliability, and capability of mission-critical aircraft.
You'll join a team that values technical excellence, innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning while offering exposure to cutting-edge aerospace technologies and complex engineering challenges.
If you're an experienced Electrical Engineer with strong systems integration and wire harness design experience looking for your next career-defining opportunity, we'd love to hear from you.