
Division Chief Scientist - Avionics Engineer
1w1 week agoGeorgia Tech Research Institute
Atlanta, US · Full-time · $200,000 – $300,000
About this role
The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit applied research division of Georgia Tech, performing over $940 million in problem-solving research annually for government and industry. The Applied Systems Lab (ASL) Autonomy Technology Transition Division (ATTD) seeks a Division Chief Scientist for a full-time research faculty position. ATTD conducts research on autonomous uncrewed aircraft programs for Department of Defense sponsors.
The Division Chief Scientist directs and oversees the division’s internal research and development (IRAD) program. This role formulates and executes key elements of the division’s strategy while aligning IRAD with other investments and awards. The technical working title is Avionics Engineer, focusing on military avionic systems design.
Expertise spans autonomous systems, systems engineering, avionics engineering, embedded software development, test and evaluation, and hardware- and software-in-the-loop environments. The Avionics Engineer defines integrated system-level designs for functions like navigation, tactical data links, electronic warfare, and data fusion. Designs integrate avionics within aircraft, aircraft-to-aircraft, and aircraft-to-ground systems.
The role develops collaborations across labs, particularly with other Division Chief Scientists, and represents division opportunities to the Lab Chief Scientist. It connects with the broader research and sponsor community to maintain competitive position. This position applies knowledge of aircraft safety, security, robustness, performance, and analyzes lab and flight test data.
Requirements
- Expertise in autonomous systems and uncrewed aircraft programs
- Background in systems engineering and avionics engineering
- Experience with embedded software development
- Knowledge of test and evaluation, including hardware- and software-in-the-loop
- Familiarity with military avionic functions such as navigation, tactical data links, electronic warfare
- Understanding of aircraft integration, safety (e.g., FAA standards), security, robustness, and performance
- Ability to provide technical leadership to programs and sponsors
Responsibilities
- Direct and oversee the division’s internal research and development (IRAD) program
- Formulate and execute key elements of the division’s strategy
- Align IRAD activities with other investments and awards
- Develop collaborations across other labs and with Division Chief Scientists
- Represent the division’s opportunities and challenges to the Lab Chief Scientist
- Define and design military avionic systems and systems-of-systems
- Develop integrated system-level designs, hardware and software subsystems for avionic functions
- Analyze laboratory and flight test data for functionality and performance
Similar roles

Software Deployment & Integration Engineer
1w1 week agoCHAOS Industries
Hawthorne, US · Full-time · $145,000 – $220,000

Ground Support Equipment Integration Engineer
1w1 week agoJoby Aviation
San Carlos, US · Full-time · $113,000 – $155,000

Avionics Engineer
1w1 week agoiRocket
Hauppauge, US · Full-time · $120,000 – $160,000

DO-254 / DO-178 Quality Engineer
1w1 week agoScalian
Toulouse, FR · Full-time · €45,000 – €57,000