Senior Avionics Design Engineer/Team Lead in Alton

Prismatic is a technology development company, specialising in the design, manufacture and delivery of innovative, high value aerospace products and systems. Prismatic is a subsidiary of BAE systems, led by a technically and commercially focused team. Our cutting-edge systems (such as the high-altitude PHASA-35) have clear commercial value, are developed at pace and address critical customer needs.

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Senior Avionics Design Engineer/Team Lead to oversee the development and integration of avionics systems for our High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) programme. This is a key engineering leadership role responsible for delivering reliable, lightweight, and efficient avionics hardware systems for stratospheric autonomous platforms in a mission-critical aerospace/defence environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Technical Leadership: Lead the design, development, verification, and validation of avionics hardware systems, including:
• Power distribution and management units (PDUs and PMUs)
• Flight computers and control electronics
• Navigation and sensor interfaces
• Data acquisition and communication interfaces
• Ensure compliance with aerospace design and environmental standards (e.g., DO-160, MIL-STD-810, DEF STAN 00-970).
• Oversee PCB layout, component selection, and supplier engagement for bespoke avionics solutions.
• Team & People Management: Line manages a small team of avionics hardware engineers, ensuring effective delegation, mentoring, and development.
• Manage team resourcing, recruitment, and technical upskilling to meet project and business needs.
• Promote a culture of safety, technical integrity, and continuous improvement.
• Project Delivery: Collaborate with systems engineering, software, integration, and airframe teams to ensure successful end-to-end avionics integration.
• Lead design reviews (PDR, CDR) and hardware acceptance processes.
• Support planning, scheduling, and reporting of avionics deliverables against programme milestones.
• Compliance & Governance: Ensure design and documentation processes align with certification and safety requirements, including support for airworthiness submissions.
• Lead or contribute to FMEAs, hazard analysis, and reliability assessments of avionics subsystems.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Interface with internal customers, project managers, suppliers, and external partners to align on technical requirements and delivery expectations.

Essential Qualifications & Experience:

• Degree in Electronics, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Proven experience leading or delivering avionics hardware for aerospace, defence, or high-reliability platforms.
• Strong knowledge of:
• Mixed-signal electronics
• Embedded hardware (e.g., microcontrollers, FPGAs)
• Power systems and avionics buses (e.g., CAN, RS-485, Ethernet)
• Experience with hardware development tools (e.g., Altium Designer, LTspice).
• Familiarity with design-for-weight, thermal management, and power efficiency in high-altitude or harsh environments.

Desirable:

• Background in uncrewed systems (UAV/UAS), especially HAPS or long-endurance platforms.
• Knowledge of DO-254 and aerospace hardware assurance practices.
• Exposure to modular open systems architectures (MOSA).
• Eligible for UK Security Clearance (SC or DV).

Personal Attributes:

• Strong leadership and mentoring skills with a hands-on approach.
• Excellent communication and documentation capabilities.
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and capable of thriving in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
• Committed to high standards of quality, safety, and performance.

What We Offer:

• Location: Alton (Hampshire), UK.
• Contract: Permanent, 37.5 hours per week (excluding breaks).
• Hybrid working (where applicable), giving you the flexibility to balance time between home and our offices (norm is 3 days a week).
• Salary: Competitive – dependent on experience.
• Bonus: Non contractual company performance related bonus.
• Pension: 10% company contribution, plus salary exchange options for AVCs.
• Green Benefits: Access to our Green Car/EV scheme via salary exchange.
• Annual Leave: 25 days plus bank holidays (rising to 28 days after 3 years’ service).
• Employee Schemes: Eligibility for the Company Share Incentive Scheme, Company Performance Free Share awards, Cycle to Work scheme, and a Halfords Trade Discount Card.
• Community & Culture: Social and employee engagement activities through our Prismatic Pulse group.
• Wellbeing: Access to Occupational Health support, including an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).

Inclusion: We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our team and is vital to the work we do.

Proud to Support the Armed Forces Community: We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and holders of the Bronze Award, demonstrating our commitment to supporting those who serve and have served. We recognise that the discipline, teamwork, problem-solving skills, and resilience gained through military life are a huge asset to our organisation. That’s why we actively encourage applications from veterans, reservists, and the partners and families of those serving. If you’ve served in any capacity, or supported someone who has, we’d love to hear from you.