Systems Design Manager (WW & SW)

Welcome to AALTO, a global leader in the stratosphere. We design, manufacture and offer connectivity and Earth observation services using the record-breaking Zephyr High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS).

HAPS is one of the world’s leading emerging technologies, which operate above air traffic and weather to offer new capabilities within our communications ecosystem. As the world’s most advanced HAPS, AALTO’s Zephyr is blazing a trail at the cutting-edge of technology, design and services.

Powered entirely by the sun as an emissionless aircraft in-flight – Zephyr flies at the speed of a bicycle above 60,000+ feet for days, weeks and even months at a time.

As a payload agnostic platform, Zephyr can transform into a multi-functional tower in the sky to provide low latency 5G direct-to-device mobile connectivity services. Zephyr can also be used to fulfil a range of monitoring, tracking, sensing and detection applications.

Join as we create a new frontier for services from the stratosphere. You’ll be part of a highly-skilled, innovative and passionate group of people – Team AALTO. Together, we can make sure ‘The Future is Stratospheric’.

Job Purpose:

As the Systems Design Manager, you will lead the strategic vision and operational execution of the avionics and ground systems engineering departments (HW & SW) within our aerospace organization. Your role encompasses overseeing the development, integration, optimisation and certification of the avionics and ground systems across the Zephyr HAPS. You will drive innovation, ensure regulatory compliance, and foster a culture of excellence within the avionics engineering department.

Responsibilities:

• Team Management: Lead, mentor, and inspire a diverse team of HW and SW engineers, fostering collaboration, creativity, and professional growth. Provide guidance on technical challenges, project execution, and career development opportunities.
• Strategic Leadership: Develop and communicate a clear vision for the avionics and ground system engineering teams (HW & SW), aligning with the company's overall mission and goals. Set strategic objectives, establish priorities, and allocate resources to drive departmental success.
• Avionics Development: Oversee the design, development, and testing of avionics hardware and software, ensuring compliance with aviation standards (ARP4754, DO178, DO254, DO160), and customer specifications. Drive continuous improvement in avionics performance, reliability, and efficiency.
  
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with other engineering disciplines, to integrate avionics systems seamlessly into the Zephyr architecture. Coordinate with project managers, stakeholders, and external partners to achieve project milestones and deliverables. Coordinate with Quality and Supply Chain.
• Production Liaison: Collaborate closely with production and configuration control.
• Suppliers Management: Manage avionics and ground system suppliers (flight computers, datalinks) to ensure a smooth integration into the Zephyr HAPS. Monitor and assess the performance of the suppliers, ensuring that they meet the specifications, standards, and expectations. Support and conduct audits, inspections, tests, and reviews of the suppliers’ products and processes. Facilitate and oversee the integration of the avionics and ground systems and components into the aircraft, ensuring that they function properly and safely.
  
• Innovation and Research: Lead research and development efforts to explore new technologies, materials, and methodologies for advancing avionics and ground system capabilities. Stay abreast of emerging trends, industry developments, and competitive landscapes to drive innovation and maintain technical leadership.
  
• Project Management: Manage avionics and ground system projects from initiation to completion, ensuring adherence to schedule, budget, and quality standards. Mitigate risks, resolve issues, and optimize resource allocation to deliver successful outcomes.
  
• Regulatory Compliance: Maintain awareness of aviation regulations, certification requirements (ARP5754, ARP4761, DO178, DO254 and DO160), and industry best practices related to avionics design, development, and certification.
  
• Airworthiness support: Advising and supporting the understanding of design specialists within a part 21 J organisation in applicable regulations, Means of Compliance, their constraints and contributing to design reviews by providing certification expertise. Support Review Meetings at panel level with the UK CAA specialists and other National Aviation Authorities, as scheduled and notified, and when required.
  
• Continuous Improvement: Implement best practices, processes, and tools to enhance avionics development efficiency, productivity, and quality. Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and knowledge sharing within the avionics and ground system engineering team.

Some travel may be required within UK and international to support flight campaign, visiting suppliers or to support any other business demand.

Requirements:

• Extensive leadership and management skills to lead and motivate a team of >15 people.
• Proven leadership excellence with an ability to inspire and lead teams to success. Fostering a collaborative and motivated team environment, instrumental in driving the success of the team and achieving organizational objectives.
• This role typically requires a substantial background in complex avionics and ground systems.
• Have a degree or other suitable qualification and relevant experience in Electronics Engineering, avionics design or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience in avionics and ground system, and telecommunication systems
• Relevant Aircraft Type Certification and supplemental type certification competencies.
  
• Experience in managing a commercial aircraft design/development cycle from requirement management through to design, certification production and in service support.
• Good understanding of aircraft certification processes/standards and Means of Compliance (DO178, DO254, DO160, ARP4754, ARP4761).
  
• Demonstrated experience in holding a delegated technical authority (Compliance Verification Engineer or similar) would be an advantage.

In addition to salary, we offer:

• Rewarding Excellence: Benefit from our short-term incentive plan that rewards your hard work and dedication.

• Enjoy Your Time Off: Benefit from 25 days of holiday to relax and recharge.

• Stay Healthy: We’ve got your health covered with private medical insurance, along with dental and optical cash back.

• Secure Your Future: Take advantage of our personal pension plan to ensure a comfortable retirement.

• Peace of Mind: Our income protection and life assurance schemes are there to support you when you need it most.

• We Care About You: Our employee assistance programme is always available to provide the support you need.

• Perks Galore: Enjoy a range of employee discounts via Perkbox, because you deserve a treat!

• Go Green: Join our cycle to work scheme or take advantage of our car salary sacrifice scheme. It’s all about making your commute easier and more sustainable

At AALTO, we offer an exceptional work environment that values your well-being and rewards your dedication. As part of our team, you'll experience the freedom of flexible working that enable you to achieve a healthy work-life balance. We believe in recognizing your hard work and commitment, which is why we provide a fantastic bonus scheme that rewards your contributions. Additionally, we understand the importance of financial security and support your future with a competitive pension plan. When you join us, you become part of a workplace that not only encourages your professional growth but also cares about your personal fulfilment and financial stability.

AALTO HAPS Ltd. is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status or pregnancy and maternity.

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Department

Product R&D

Locations

Farnborough

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