How to Be Avionics Hardware Designer - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Mar 25, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Avionics hardware designers create the electronic systems and components used in aircraft and aerospace vehicles. They are responsible for ensuring that the electronics are designed to meet the technical requirements of the aircraft, while also ensuring the safety of passengers and crew. Avionics hardware designers must have a strong understanding of electronic engineering principles and be able to apply them to their work.

They must be able to work with other engineering disciplines such as software engineering, mechanical engineering, and aeronautical engineering to create a safe and efficient aircraft system. Avionics hardware designers must also understand the regulations and standards set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ensure compliance with all safety protocols. By designing and testing reliable, safe, and compliant avionics hardware, avionics hardware designers help ensure the safety of air travelers and crew.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. The first step to becoming an avionics hardware designer is to obtain a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or aerospace engineering. This will provide you with the technical knowledge and skills needed to design and build avionics hardware.
Gain Work Experience. After graduating, it is important to gain some experience working with avionics hardware. This could be through an internship or an entry-level job in the industry. This will give you a better understanding of the design process and help you hone your skills.
Obtain Certification. Depending on the specific job requirements, you may need to obtain certification from either the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Get Licensed. To work as an avionics hardware designer, you will need to be licensed by the FAA. In order to do this, you will need to pass a written examination and complete a number of other requirements.
Stay Current. As technology continues to advance, it is important to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in avionics hardware design. This can be done by attending conferences, seminars, and workshops. It is also important to read industry publications and keep up with industry trends.

Avionics hardware design is a complex task requiring careful consideration of a variety of factors in order to ensure reliable and capable results. The designer must take into account the various components that make up the system, such as processors, memory, communication buses, displays, and sensors. environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and vibration must be considered to create a system that will work reliably in all conditions.

The designer must also consider the requirements of the application, including how much power it needs and how quickly it needs to respond to requests. Finally, the design must be tested and validated before it is used in the actual application. By following these steps, a designer can create avionics hardware that is reliable and capable of meeting the needs of users.

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Job Description

Create detailed drawings and schematics of avionics systems hardware, components, and assemblies.
Design, build, and test prototypes of avionics hardware systems.
Work with electrical engineers to develop custom hardware solutions for avionics systems.
Develop and maintain technical documentation for avionics hardware designs.
Analyze system requirements to develop cost-effective hardware designs that meet safety and performance requirements.
Optimize electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties of avionics hardware designs.
Evaluate existing avionics hardware systems to identify areas for improvement.
Collaborate with other engineering teams to ensure successful integration of hardware into avionics systems.
Research new technologies and components to improve existing avionics hardware designs.
Troubleshoot and debug hardware design issues to ensure optimal performance.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of avionics systems, components, and requirements
Understanding of aviation safety regulations and industry standards
Proficiency in CAD and 3D modeling software
Ability to troubleshoot technical issues and resolve electrical problems
Comprehensive knowledge of electrical engineering principles and techniques
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Attention to detail and accuracy in design work
Ability to interpret schematics and diagrams
Ability to work independently as well as part of a team

Being an Avionics Hardware Designer requires a wide range of technical skills, but the most important skill to have is problem-solving ability. Being able to quickly identify, analyze and solve complex problems is essential for this role. This involves understanding the underlying cause of any issue, and then being able to formulate and implement an effective solution.

Problem-solving also involves good communication and interpersonal skills, as it is important to be able to collaborate with other members of the team and explain solutions effectively. This is especially important when dealing with clients, as understanding their needs and providing an efficient solution is vital. a sound knowledge of the relevant software and hardware tools is also invaluable, as these are key to designing and testing new avionics hardware.

With these skills, Avionics Hardware Designers can ensure the successful design, development, and deployment of aircraft systems.

Electrical hardware Technician, Mechanical hardware Technician, and PCB (Printed Circuit Board) hardware Engineer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in designing avionics hardware?
How have you incorporated industry standards into your approach to avionics hardware design?
What techniques do you use to determine the reliability and maintainability of avionic hardware designs?
Describe a complex avionics hardware design project you have worked on in the past.
How do you ensure that your avionics hardware designs are cost effective?
How do you weigh the trade-offs between functionality, cost, and time when designing avionics hardware?
What challenges have you faced when designing avionics hardware and how did you overcome them?
What methods do you use to anticipate and address potential issues of compatibility between different avionics systems?
How do you ensure that your designs meet safety requirements for avionics hardware?
What strategies do you use to communicate effectively with engineers and other stakeholders during the design process?

Common Tools in Industry

Solidworks. 3D CAD software used to create accurate 3D models of mechanical components, assemblies and circuit boards. (e. g. designing an aircraft cockpit)
Altium Designer. PCB design software used to design, simulate and validate printed circuit boards. (e. g. designing an avionics system board)
MathWorks MATLAB/Simulink. Simulation and modeling tools used to analyze and visualize data and develop digital components for avionics systems. (e. g. creating a model of a navigation system)
LabVIEW. Graphical programming tool used to develop automated tests and control system designs for avionics systems. (e. g. creating a graphical user interface for a flight control system)
CATIA. 3D CAD software used to design complex electrical and avionics systems. (e. g. designing a 3D model of an aircraft navigation system)
GIT. Version control software used to track changes in source code, designs and documents related to avionics hardware development projects. (e. g. tracking changes made to an aircraft autopilot system)

Professional Organizations to Know

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA)
Avionics Maintenance Technical Committee (AMTC)
International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences (ICAS)
Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP)
Airline Electronic Engineering Committee (AEEC)
Society of Flight Test Engineers (SFTE)
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
Aerospace Industries Association (AIA)
Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS)

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Common Important Terms

Avionics. The branch of technology that deals with the development and application of electronic systems on aircraft, spacecraft, and missiles.
Circuit Design. The process of designing and developing electronic circuits.
Fabrication. The process of constructing components or systems from raw materials or pre-made parts.
PCB Design. The process of creating printed circuit boards, which provide the physical support for integrated circuits and other electronic components.
Microcontrollers. Programmable integrated circuits that are used to control electronic systems.
Embedded Systems. Electronic systems that are designed to perform a specific task or tasks within a larger system.
Firmware. Software programs that are stored in a hardware device and provide control over its operation.
Signal Integrity. The ability of a system to accurately transmit electrical signals from one component to another.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Avionics Hardware Designer?

An Avionics Hardware Designer is responsible for designing, testing, and troubleshooting systems used in aircraft, such as navigation and communication systems.

What kind of education is required to become an Avionics Hardware Designer?

Most employers require at least a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field. Additional certifications or licenses may also be required.

What are some of the duties of an Avionics Hardware Designer?

An Avionics Hardware Designer is responsible for designing, testing, and troubleshooting circuitry, systems, and components used in aircraft. They may also develop software tools and simulation systems to facilitate the design process.

What type of skills are needed to be successful as an Avionics Hardware Designer?

Avionics Hardware Designers need strong problem-solving and analytical skills along with a good understanding of electrical engineering principles and computer programming languages. Knowledge of aircraft systems and regulations is also beneficial.

What type of environment does an Avionics Hardware Designer typically work in?

Avionics Hardware Designers typically work in office and laboratory settings and may sometimes travel to aircraft sites for testing and troubleshooting purposes. They also often collaborate with other engineers, technicians, and aviation professionals.