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Branch Head - Avionics Engineer (Experienced) - SEAL - Open Rank

Georgia Tech Research Institute
United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 9 Jun 2026

About the role

Overview:

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 2,900 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $940 million of problem-solving research annually for government and industry. GTRI's renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry.   

Georgia Tech's Mission and Values

Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do: 

1. Students are our top priority.
2. We strive for excellence.
3. We thrive on diversity.
4. We celebrate collaboration.
5. We champion innovation.
6. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.
7. We nurture the wellbeing of our community.
8. We act ethically.
9. We are responsible stewards.

Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

Location

Smyrna, GA (Metro Atlanta)

Project/Unit Description

The Command, Control, and Communications Division (C3D) within the Sensor and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory (SEAL) in Smyrna, Georgia, is looking for candidates to lead the Airborne Test and Verification (ATV) Branch.

The ATV Branch is a multidisciplinary team that provides highly rigorous and detailed software, system/Subsystem, and platform-level testing planning, execution, analysis, and reporting for C3D programs.

Job Purpose

Lead multiple sponsored research projects. Manage Branch (7-15 FTE) administrative activities including hiring, appraisals and sponsored project success.

The Branch Head position comes with a Technical Working Title of Avionics Engineer.

The Avionics Engineer defines and designs military avionic systems and systems-of-systems. Specifically, the Avionics Engineer develops integrated system-level designs, and hardware and software subsystems designs. These designs are associated to avionic functions such as navigation, tactical data links, electronic warfare, defensive countermeasures, intelligence, and integrated system functions like data fusion and resource management. These design efforts include integrating the avionics systems within the aircraft, aircraft-to-aircraft, and aircraft-to-ground systems The Avionics Engineer applies knowledge specific to aircraft such as safety (e.g. FAA standards), security, robustness, and performance. Additionally, the Avionics Engineer analyzes laboratory and flight test data for functionality and performance. The Avionics Engineer also provides expertise and technical leadership to programs and sponsors to achieve overall goals through the full development life-cycle (i.e., requirements development to final delivery). Tools and methodologies used by the Avionics Engineer includes Model Based System Engineering, laboratory analysis hardware, software development environments, and Agile methodologies.

Key Responsibilities

Administrative Responsibilities of Branch Head:

  • Recognized SME in technical domain. Lead and/or contribute to white papers and proposals
  • Seek out and respond to opportunities for new research
  • Support presentations and travel to support new business development
  • Ensure that the branch is continuing to pursue new and novel research efforts through judicious use of internal R&D funding
  • Lead branch hiring activities including development of position vacancy announcements, resume reviews, interviews and onboarding
  • Determine branch hiring needs
  • Lead role on manpower planning for branch personnel
  • Conduct staff appraisals
  • Support Monthly Project Status Review meetings
  • Coordinate with division leadership as required
  • Lead branch hiring activities including development of position vacancy announcements, resume reviews, interviews and onboarding
  • Determine branch hiring needs
  • Lead role on manpower planning for branch personnel
  • Conduct staff appraisals
  • Support Monthly Project Status Review meetings. Coordinate with division leadership as required

Technical Responsibilit

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Company

Georgia Tech Research Institute

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