Edge Autonomy · 22 hours ago
Lead Electrical Systems Engineer
San Luis Obispo, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff
$155K/yr - $195K/yr
8+ years expEdge Autonomy is seeking a Lead Electrical Systems Engineer to serve as the electrical engineering lead for the Air Vehicle Integrated Product Team. This role involves overseeing the aircraft's electrical architecture, ensuring robust integration of electrical systems, and acting as the primary technical authority for electrical system decisions.
AerospaceDrone ManagementDrones
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Serve as the electrical engineering lead for the Air Vehicle IPT, owning electrical system architecture and technical decision-making
Define and maintain the aircraft electrical system architecture, including power generation, distribution, protection, and grounding
Own electrical requirements flowdown, trade studies, and system-level design margins
Act as the technical authority for electrical system design reviews, change control, and configuration decisions
Lead design of electrical power distribution systems, wiring harnesses, connectors, and electrical enclosures
Ensure proper electrical integration of avionics, propulsion, payloads, sensors, and auxiliary systems
Define interface requirements between electrical systems and airframe structures
Ensure compliance with electrical safety, EMI/EMC, and environmental requirements
Guide electrical system analysis including power budgets, load analysis, fault protection, and redundancy strategies
Define electrical test strategies including continuity, insulation resistance, power-on testing, and system-level verification
Support ground and flight test activities by troubleshooting electrical system issues and supporting anomaly resolution
Own closure of electrical system discrepancies, test findings, and nonconformances
Partner with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure electrical designs are producible and scalable
Support wiring harness fabrication, routing, installation, and inspection processes
Drive design-for-manufacturing (DFM) and design-for-assembly (DFA) improvements for electrical systems
Support production readiness reviews and transition to sustained production
Serve as the primary electrical systems interface to airframe, avionics, propulsion, systems engineering, and program leadership
Communicate electrical system risks, tradeoffs, and recommendations clearly to stakeholders
Mentor electrical engineers and specialists through technical guidance and design reviews
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field required
8–12+ years of progressive experience in aircraft or UAS electrical system design
Demonstrated experience leading electrical system or power architecture development on complex aerospace systems
Experience working within IPT or program-based engineering environments
Strong expertise in aircraft electrical power systems and wiring architectures
Proficiency with electrical CAD and harness design tools (e.g., Capital, Zuken, SolidWorks Electrical, or similar)
Experience developing power budgets, load analysis, and protection schemes
Familiarity with EMI/EMC considerations and electrical safety standards
Understanding of aerospace manufacturing and installation practices
Technical authority with strong engineering judgment
Ability to lead through influence rather than formal people management
Strong systems-thinking mindset with attention to interfaces and failure modes
Clear communicator capable of explaining complex electrical concepts
Bias toward execution, risk identification, and practical solutions
Preferred
Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering
Experience with UAV or small/medium aircraft electrical systems
Prior ownership of electrical system baselines through flight test
Experience supporting certification, qualification, or military airworthiness processes
Experience with Altium
Proven ability to balance performance, reliability, weight, and manufacturability
Strong mentoring capability for developing electrical engineers
Comfort operating in fast-paced, prototype-driven environments
Benefits
Matching 401(k)
Paid PTO
Paid holidays
Medical, vision, and dental insurance
Group Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
HSA and FSA Options
Critical Care Plan
Accident Care Plan
Company
Edge Autonomy
Edge Autonomy manufactures unmanned aircraft vehicles for the government and private companies.
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
unknown2025-01-20Acquired
Leadership Team
John Purvis
Chief Executive Officer
Allen Gardner
CTO
Recent News
2025-12-19
The Motley Fool
2025-12-05
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