Staff Hardware Engineer, SandboxAQ

• Master’s degree in Electrical, Computer, Mechanical Engineering, or related field, with 8+ years in aerospace hardware/software development, including 3+ years working directly on certified avionics systems
• Hands-on experience with DO-178C, DO-254, DO-160, and familiarity with ARP4754A processes
• Skilled in system-level design, requirements definition, and certification-aligned documentation
• Proficient in programming (Python, C, C++, MATLAB), ECAD tools (e.g. , Altium), and comfortable in RTOS environments
• Experience reading electrical wiring schematics
• Expertise in designing automated test equipment
• Proven ability to work across engineering disciplines, mentor peers, and balance hardware development with long-term certification goals
• U.S. Citizenship (due to USG contract requirements) and ability to obtain/hold a U.S. Secret clearance
• Willingness to work from our Palo Alto location 50% of the time (hybrid) and travel internationally as required (<25%)
• Track record of successfully integrating hardware/software into certified airborne platforms

Desirable

• As a Staff Hardware Engineer within AQNav, you will participate in the full product lifecycle of a novel sensing avionics system — from planning and design to integration, testing, and certification
• In this role, you will define and implement avionics system architectures, performing trade studies on performance, complexity, risk, and effort to deliver designs that meet both system-level and certification requirements
• Your work will directly contribute to bringing novel sensing systems from prototype to flight-ready, certified hardware
• You will ensure compliance with DO-178C, DO-254, DO-160, and ARP4754A processes, while balancing the speed of prototyping with the rigor of aviation certification
• You will lead the design, integration, and certification-readiness of multi-modal sensing systems, ensuring compliance with aviation regulatory requirements throughout the product lifecycle
• Define and implement avionics system architecture, balancing performance, complexity, risk, and certification requirements
• Design, develop, and troubleshoot avionics hardware (e.g. , IMUs, computing, sensing, communication, power) from concept through production
• Generate compliance documentation (e.g. , Plans, Standards, Checklists, Test Procedures, Reports) consistent with DO-178C, DO-254, DO-160, and ARP4754A processes
• Conduct benchtop, environmental, hardware-in-the-loop, and on-aircraft testing; drive improvements and perform root-cause investigations in safety-critical environments
• Collaborate across hardware, software, and field operations teams to ensure readiness for airborne operations and maintain audit-ready documentation
• Travel to integration and test sites, including aircraft modification facilities, to install, verify, and validate system performance in operational conditions