Firmware Project Engineer II
Sierra Nevada CorporationAbout the role
We are seeking a highly skilled firmware engineering leader with a strong background in developing avionics systems in compliance with DO-254 standards. This is a unique opportunity to not only contribute technically but also to play a pivotal role in establishing and refining our tools, processes, and procedures to meet FAA compliance requirements. In this role, you will collaborate closely with systems and safety teams throughout the development and certification process, ensuring our projects meet the highest standards of quality and safety.The Mission Solutions and Technologies (MST) business area provides affordable, turn-key command/control, communications, integrated ISR, force protection and security solutions worldwide. The MST team has a long legacy of supporting the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, commercial and international customers with years of experience in platform operations, engineering and full lifecycle management across domains – air, land, sea, space and cyber.
Responsibilities:
Partner with technical Subject Matter Experts to lead the design, development, and verification of firmware for avionics systems, ensuring compliance with DO-254 and ARP-4754.
Develop and implement strategies for FAA compliance, including establishing necessary tools, processes, and procedures.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including systems and safety teams, to integrate firmware solutions into overall system architecture and ensure compliance throughout the development and certification process.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance our firmware development practices.
Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources to ensure successful project completion.
Conduct design reviews, code reviews, and testing to ensure high-quality deliverables.
Author and review DO-254 life cycle data, including the Plan for Hardware Aspects of Certification, Design Standards, Requirements, and Accomplishment Summary
Qualifications You Must Have:
Bachelor's of Science degree in a related field of study, and typically 10+ years of progressive technical experience
Thorough knowledge of engineering principles and practice
Experience working in multi-disciplinary design and development team
Detailed understanding of requirements management, system design, integration
Expert knowledge of digital circuit concepts and computer science fundamentals.
Proficiency in firmware development using VHDL and/or Verilog programming languages.
Experience with software/firmware development methodologies such as Agile/Scrum, Waterfall, and Spiral.
Experience authoring DO-254 firmware certification planning, design and verification documents
Demonstrated experience leading a team through a successful DO-254 and ARP-4754 commercial certification
Qualifications We Prefer:
Experience with Xilinx/AMD FPGA Development
4-6 years of leadership and/or project management experience.
Experience leading a multi-disciplinary team and effectively communicating with program management and customers.
Experience preparing technical proposals, program schedules, and cost estimates.
Experience leading baseline definition and maturation in complex development settings.
Familiarity with tools such as Vivado, Quartus, ModelSim/Questa, Aldec, and ActiveHDL.
Familiarity with Xilinx/AMD FPGA products and development tools.
Understanding of commercial avionics standards and regulatory requirements (e.g., DO-178C, DO-254, ARP-4754).
Familiarity with commercial avionics communication protocols (e.g., ARINC 818, ARINC
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