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

Sep 5, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Avionics Hardware Engineers play a critical role in the aviation industry, as they are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining the avionics hardware components that are used in airplanes and other aircraft. This job requires a high level of technical knowledge, as well as problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently. As a result, Avionics Hardware Engineers must be able to troubleshoot and solve any issues that arise with the hardware components on different aircraft.

these professionals must have a strong background in electrical engineering, computer architecture, and digital signal processing. Without the expertise of Avionics Hardware Engineers, the aviation industry would be unable to deliver reliable and safe aircrafts to its customers.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. In order to become an avionics hardware engineer, you must first earn a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or a related field, such as electrical engineering. These programs typically include coursework in aerodynamics, propulsion, aircraft design, and avionics systems.
Obtain Professional Certification. Many employers prefer hiring avionics hardware engineers who have a professional certification from the National Science Foundation (NSF). You can obtain this certification by taking and passing the NSF's comprehensive exam.
Gain Experience. After completing your bachelor's degree, you will need to gain experience in the field in order to become an avionics hardware engineer. This can be done through on-the-job training or internships.
Pursue a Master's Degree. A master's degree in avionics engineering or a related field can help you stand out from other job applicants. Earning this degree can also give you access to higher-level positions in the field.
Explore Job Opportunities. After completing your education and gaining the necessary experience, you can begin exploring job opportunities as an avionics hardware engineer. The U. S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that there were more than 6,000 avionics engineers employed in the United States as of May 2019.

Having a qualified Avionics Hardware Engineer is essential for the success of any aerospace engineering project. It requires extensive knowledge and experience in electrical engineering, computer science and physics to be able to understand and design complex avionics hardware systems. An ideal Avionics Hardware Engineer should have a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related field and should be familiar with the latest trends and technologies in the industry.

They should also have strong problem-solving skills, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, critical thinking abilities, and the ability to work independently. Furthermore, they must have the ability to pay close attention to detail and be able to handle multiple projects simultaneously. By having an Avionics Hardware Engineer with these qualifications, aerospace engineering projects can be completed in a timely manner and with high quality results.

You may want to check Hardware Engineer, PCB (Printed Circuit Board) hardware Engineer, and Embedded Hardware Engineer for alternative.

Job Description

Design and develop avionics hardware for aircraft systems
Troubleshoot and debug avionics hardware
Design, develop and test embedded software for avionics systems
Develop and document test procedures
Perform failure analysis and corrective action
Design and implement system architectures for avionics systems
Support system integration and verification activities
Design, develop and maintain automated test systems
Analyze and recommend improvements to existing avionic systems
Liaise with suppliers, customers and other stakeholders to ensure adherence to system requirements

Skills and Competencies to Have

Expertise in designing, developing, and testing avionics hardware, such as circuit boards and components
Knowledge of industry standards and protocols related to avionics hardware
Experience in troubleshooting and debugging avionics hardware
Ability to interpret complex technical specifications related to avionics hardware
Proficiency in using computer-aided design (CAD) software and systems
Familiarity with the principles of electrical engineering
Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills
Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team
Knowledge of safety protocols and regulations related to avionics hardware
Understanding of the principles of robotics and automation

Avionics hardware engineering is an important field which requires a wide range of skills to be successful. The most important skill for an Avionics Hardware Engineer is the ability to think critically and problem-solve. This requires an engineer to understand the underlying principles of the technology and be able to identify and resolve issues quickly.

an engineer must have a strong technical background in electronics, including circuit design, component selection, prototyping, and testing. Strong communication skills are also essential, as the engineer must be able to collaborate with other teams, explain technical concepts to non-technical colleagues, and document complex system architectures. Finally, a good understanding of safety processes and procedures, such as system safety analysis, is essential for an Avionics Hardware Engineer to ensure the safety and reliability of their designs.

All of these skills combined make the Avionics Hardware Engineer an invaluable asset to any team.

Hardware Developer, Firmware Hardware Engineer, and Senior Hardware Designer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have with avionics hardware engineering?
What challenges have you faced in avionics hardware engineering?
How do you handle troubleshooting and problem-solving in avionics hardware?
What techniques have you used to optimize avionics hardware performance?
How do you stay up to date with the latest developments in avionics hardware engineering?
What processes and tools have you used to design avionics hardware solutions?
How have you collaborated with other engineers to create successful avionics hardware solutions?
What experience do you have testing and verifying avionics hardware solutions?
What methods do you use to ensure safe and reliable operation of avionics hardware?
What are your thoughts on the current state of avionics hardware engineering?

Common Tools in Industry

Oscilloscopes. Used to measure electrical signals and waveforms (eg: Tektronix MSO4104B-3)
Logic Analyzers. Used to analyze and debug digital systems (eg: Saleae Logic Pro 16)
Spectrum Analyzers. Used to measure and analyze radio frequency signals (eg: Rohde & Schwarz FSH3)
Waveform Generators. Used to generate different types of signals (eg: HP 33120A Function Generator)
Cables. Used to connect equipment and devices (eg: shielded cables)
Soldering Irons. Used for soldering electrical components (eg: Weller WES51 Soldering Station)
Multi-meters. Used to measure electrical quantities (eg: Fluke 87V True RMS Multimeter)
Crimpers. Used to attach connectors to cables (eg: AMP/TE Connectivity Crimper)
Network Analyzers. Used to measure the network characteristics of RF systems (eg: Anritsu VectorStar VNA)
Wire Strippers. Used for cutting and stripping wires and cables (eg: Klein Tools Wire Stripper)

Professional Organizations to Know

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA)
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
Society of Flight Test Engineers (SFTE)
International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences (ICAS)
Avionics Maintenance Professionals (AMP)
Air Transport Association (ATA)
Aviation Electronics Europe (AEE)
International Federation of Airworthiness (IFA)
Avionics Certification Council (ACC)

We also have Robotics Hardware Designer, Firmware Hardware Designer, and Computer Hardware Designer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Electrical Engineering. A branch of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.
Circuit Design. The process of designing an electrical circuit, which includes the selection of components and designing the layout of the circuit board.
Microcontroller. A small computer-on-a-chip that can be programmed to perform specific tasks. It is commonly used in embedded systems.
Embedded Systems. A combination of hardware and software designed to perform a specific task or tasks.
Firmware. Software programmed into a device that controls its functions and features.
Avionics. Electronics used in the aerospace industry, such as flight controls, navigation, communication, and surveillance systems.
Systems Engineering. The practice of designing and integrating complex systems in order to achieve a desired outcome.
Radio Frequency (RF). The range of frequencies used for communication, broadcasting, and other applications.
Telemetry. The transmission and reception of data from a remote device to a central location using wireless communication.
Signal Processing. The manipulation of an electrical signal to extract information from it or to modify it for a specific purpose.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Avionics Hardware Engineer?

An Avionics Hardware Engineer is responsible for designing, testing, and maintaining avionics systems used in aircraft and spacecraft.

What qualifications are needed to be an Avionics Hardware Engineer?

An Avionics Hardware Engineer typically requires a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field, such as aerospace engineering or electrical engineering. Additionally, one must possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

What kind of tasks do Avionics Hardware Engineers perform?

Avionics Hardware Engineers typically design, test, and maintain avionics systems such as flight computers, navigation systems, communication systems, and digital displays. They also develop software programs to control these systems and make sure they are operating correctly.