Senior Avionics Systems Consultant

Calista Corporation•Edwards, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Avionics Systems Consultant provides independent technical analysis and advisory support for avionics, aircraft electrical systems, research flight hardware, simulators, and complex aircraft systems integration, including ILS, TCAS, and TACAN systems. The consultant evaluates complex technical issues, develops integration and troubleshooting strategies, assesses risk, and recommends solutions to NASA and program leadership. This position works with engineering, maintenance, quality, flight operations, and program teams to guide technical decisions and improve system performance. The role is primarily analytical and advisory; routine installation, inspection, repair, aircraft servicing, and other technician assignments are performed by designated maintenance personnel.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, avionics, systems engineering, or a closely related technical field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant technical experience.
15+ years of progressively responsible experience with aircraft avionics, electrical systems, systems integration, flight test, or a related technical discipline.
Demonstrated experience with the integration, troubleshooting, testing, or technical evaluation of ILS, TCAS, TACAN, and related aircraft avionics systems.
Demonstrated experience analyzing complex technical problems and developing recommendations that influence engineering or program decisions.
Extensive working knowledge of aircraft communications, navigation, surveillance, flight control, flight management, flight display, and related electrical systems.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, schematics, test data, configuration records, and technical requirements.
Experience coordinating across engineering, maintenance, quality, and operations teams.
Strong technical writing, presentation, and stakeholder communication skills.
Ability to meet applicable NASA access, safety, and project orientation requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting NASA research aircraft or flight test programs.
Experience with airworthiness processes, engineering work orders, configuration management, and system verification.
Familiarity with NAMIS or comparable aircraft maintenance and reliability data systems.
Relevant FAA, FCC, NASA workmanship, or industry credentials where useful to the advisory assignment.

Responsibilities

Serve as a senior technical advisor on avionics and electrical systems across assigned research aircraft, simulators, and integrated aircraft systems.
Analyze complex system failures, recurring discrepancies, test results, maintenance history, and engineering data; develop documented findings and recommended corrective actions.
Evaluate proposed avionics modifications and system integrations for technical feasibility, system compatibility, airworthiness considerations, schedule impact, and operational risk.
Provide senior technical expertise supporting the integration, troubleshooting, testing, and evaluation of ILS, TCAS, TACAN, and related aircraft communication, navigation, and surveillance systems.
Develop technical approaches, integration plans, test strategies, and acceptance criteria in coordination with responsible engineers and program stakeholders.
Review engineering work orders, schematics, drawings, configuration data, and technical instructions; identify gaps, conflicts, and implementation risks.
Advise maintenance and engineering teams on diagnostic strategy and the interpretation of test results without assuming routine technician work assignments.
Assess trends in NAMIS and other authorized records to identify recurring failures, reliability concerns, and opportunities for process improvement.
Prepare technical assessments, decision briefs, recommendations, and reports for NASA and contractor leadership.
Facilitate technical reviews and coordinate resolution of issues involving engineering, maintenance, quality assurance, flight operations, and external suppliers.
Recommend improvements to avionics processes, documentation, training, configuration control, and technical risk management.
Provide technical mentoring and knowledge transfer to engineering and maintenance personnel.
Support investigations and reviews involving avionics discrepancies, test equipment, research hardware, or system integration.
Perform other advisory and analytical duties within the authorized contract scope.