Principal Electrical Engineer
Burlington, MA
Engineering /
On-site
Crgo is a venture-backed startup developing the next-generation air cargo solution, combining hybrid-electric autonomous VTOL aircraft with safety-focused ground infrastructure – a first in its category. Crgo’s heavy-lift, long-range vehicle elevates customer supply chain and distribution capabilities with charter-level service at freight prices, disrupting the $150B air cargo market. The team comprises industry leaders from aviation, robotics, and logistics, whose record includes successful exits and historic regulatory achievements.
Crgo is seeking a highly experienced technical leader with a strong knowledge of electrical and electronics systems for autonomous aircraft to lead the electronics development for our autonomous cargo carrying VTOL aircraft system. This role offers a unique opportunity to drive innovation in the avionics, controls, and powertrain systems of autonomous aircraft and shape the future of aerial logistics. This is the right position for an individual that is passionate about aviation technology development and has a track record of delivering robust, certifiable, systems for aerospace products. As a key member of our engineering team, you will be responsible for leading the architecture, development, and execution of all electrical systems in our autonomous cargo carrying VTOL aircraft.
Responsibilties
- Own the development of all electrical systems including avionics, controls, powertrain, and system integration through all stages of product development
- Lead the architecture, analysis, development, execution, test and delivery of all electrical systems
- Define technical requirements, specifications, interfaces, and performance targets for electrical components, and subsystems as needed to deliver a robust, certifiable aircraft system
- Develop the technical program schedule alongside our program management staff and senior leadership
- Grow the technical development team from the ground up alongside the founders
- Design, build and deploy test equipment and rigs for all aspects of the electrical systems
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate the full powertrain, controls, and avionics systems into the aircraft design
- Build and manage relationships with partners, suppliers and vendors, ensuring alignment on technical development, project timelines, quality standards, and cost objectives
- Stand-up industry-best electrical engineering product development processes
- Proactively and creatively approach problems, burning down technical risks early and throughout the program
- Embody a proactive and optimistic approach, bringing a can-do attitude to the workplace every day, fostering a positive and dynamic work environment
- Travel up to 25% of the time including domestic and international
Qualifications
- Bachelor's or advanced degrees in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
- 5+ years of relevant systems-level electrical systems development experience in autonomous, automated, or remotely piloted aircraft systems
- Experience delivering to a schedule for a complex hardware and software system
- Experience developing complex electrical systems that meet stringent performance, safety, and regulatory requirements
- Excellent problem-solving abilities, with a track record of delivering innovative solutions to challenging technical problems
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to explain problems and solutions to both technical and non-technical individuals
- Excels at collaborating in a fast-paced startup environment with changing priorities, technical requirements, and a growing team
- Must be eligible to work in the US
Great to have Qualifications and Skills
- Experience in the design, development, and manufacture of electric systems for VTOL aircraft
- 10+ years of engineering experience developing and deploying certifiable-grade electrical systems for autonomous or highly-automated aircraft
- Demonstrated experience successfully developing and deploying avionics systems for high-reliability, high performance aircraft
- Experience with RTCA DO-160, DO-178, DO-254 and similar miliary and commercial aerospace industry standards
- Experience with avionics and electronics specification & selection, supplier interaction, and procurement processes
- Deep understanding of electric motors, inverters, batteries, and thermal management systems as well as their integration into complex aircraft systems
- Familiarity with lab test equipment including oscilloscopes, multimeters, current probes, data acquisition, and bus analyzers
- Experience with electronics integration such as wire harness design and connector selection and sourcing
- Employ a methodical approach to solving problems
- Excellent working knowledge of CAD tools such as Altium and Solidworks
- Hands-on capability in a lab/field setting and able to build and prove out designs (SMT soldering, drilling, wiring, crimping, use of hand tools, design/build of cable assemblies)
- Experience working in a fast-paced startup environment or agile development process is a plus
- Experience developing an R&D plan for multiple complex technical projects
Benefits
- Our company offers a competitive benefits package including generous healthcare and ST/LT disability coverage with the option to include an HSA, a 401k plan with a company match component, unlimited PTO, flexible work from home policies, stock options, free parking on-site, and a well-stocked snacks and coffee environment.
Work Location
- Our company’s headquarters are currently located in Burlington, MA and is planning to move to Waltham, MA in 2024. This position is primarily on-site.
Crgo is a venture-backed aerospace company headquartered in Burlington, MA and is founded by a group of aviation, robotics, and logistics experts. The team’s diverse experience spans across industry leaders including American Robotics, Airobotics, Archer, Rolls-Royce, Boeing, iRobot, Apple, FedEx, UPS, and Amazon.
