Avionics Manufacturing Engineer II

Airhart

Most airplanes today still use avionics designed around decades-old assumptions. We think that’s one of the biggest reasons general aviation remains difficult to learn and intimidating to use.

We’re building an integrated avionics platform that makes flying dramatically simpler and safer, with the long-term goal of making personal flight accessible to far more people.

Our team includes engineers from companies like SpaceX and pilots who have spent thousands of hours flying existing systems. We’ve experienced firsthand how difficult aircraft are to build and operate, and we’re designing both the product and the company differently from the ground up.

Today we’re shipping our first generation avionics system into experimental aircraft. That means every manufacturing decision you make directly affects something that will eventually fly.

The Role

We’re looking for someone who enjoys figuring out how hardware actually gets built.

Our electrical and mechanical engineers design flight computers, display systems, power distribution hardware, sensor modules, wire harnesses, and electromechanical assemblies. Your job is to turn those designs into products that can be manufactured repeatedly with high quality.

You’ll work directly with engineering, suppliers, and technicians to build our production system from scratch—not optimize an existing factory.

One week you might be qualifying a PCB assembly vendor. The next you might be designing a fixture that cuts avionics box assembly time in half, writing work instructions, or standing next to technicians during the first build to improve the process.

What You’ll Own

• Develop manufacturing processes for avionics computers, displays, power electronics, harnesses, and electromechanical assemblies.
• Select and qualify vendors for PCB assembly, machining, sheet metal, cable assemblies, coatings, and custom components.
• Own DFM reviews with electrical and mechanical engineers before hardware is released.
• Design fixtures, tooling, jigs, and assembly aids.
• Create assembly procedures, travelers, inspection criteria, and production documentation.
• Lead first article builds and pilot production runs.
• Identify manufacturing bottlenecks and improve quality, throughput, and cost.
• Investigate production failures and implement corrective actions with engineering and suppliers.
• Help define how Airhart manufactures avionics as production grows from tens to hundreds and eventually thousands of systems.

What We’re Looking For

• 2–6 years of experience in manufacturing engineering, NPI, or production engineering.
• Experience building electronics or electromechanical hardware.
• Comfortable working with PCBAs, machined parts, harnesses, and precision assemblies.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and supplier management.
• Willingness to spend significant time on the production floor.

You do not need previous avionics experience. We’d much rather hire someone who loves building hardware than someone who only knows aviation.

Nice to Have

• Aerospace or aviation hardware experience.
• IPC standards.
• CAD experience for tooling or fixtures.
• Experience introducing products from prototype into production.
• Familiarity with PLM or ERP systems.

Your First 90 Days

First 30 days

• Learn the avionics architecture and current manufacturing flow.
• Build several production avionics units alongside the engineering team.
• Visit key manufacturing partners and understand our supply chain.

Within 60 days

• Take ownership of manufacturing for one major subsystem.
• Improve at least one manufacturing process, fixture, or work instruction.
• Lead one pilot production build.

Within 90 days

• Become the primary manufacturing owner for multiple avionics assemblies.
• Drive measurable improvements in build quality, throughput, or cost.
• Establish manufacturing processes that will scale as Airhart grows.

Why This Role Matters

Most startups outsource manufacturing and hope it works.

We’re building the capability ourselves because we believe manufacturing is a competitive advantage. The people defining these processes today will determine how every Airhart avionics system is built for years to come.