Aerospace Avionics Leadership Job in Germany – High Paying Role

Working in the aerospace industry is no longer just a dream for a select few – it’s a tangible career path for visionary engineers and forward-thinking professionals. At the forefront of this movement is The Exploration Company, a pioneering organization based in Planegg, Germany, that is transforming space travel as we know it. With the development of Nyx, a modular and reusable orbital spacecraft, the company is setting new standards in sustainability, cost-efficiency and mission adaptability. And now, they are offering an extraordinary opportunity for a seasoned avionics expert to step into a leadership position that is both technically rewarding and mission-critical.

As the Avionics Lead, you won’t just be managing electrical systems – you’ll be shaping the electronic nervous system of a spacecraft designed to make space travel more accessible. This role places you at the core of developing advanced systems for communication, power distribution and onboard control.

From architecting next-gen avionics to overseeing testing and certification, your decisions will have a direct impact on how humanity moves through space. If you’re someone who thrives at the intersection of innovation, engineering precision and systems integration, this position is your launchpad.

Nyx isn’t just another space vehicle – it represents a major shift in how we approach off-Earth logistics and long-term exploration. Designed to be refueled in orbit and support both cargo and, eventually, human missions, it combines reusability with high modularity to meet the dynamic needs of the space sector. The avionics systems at its core must be rugged, intelligent and flawlessly reliable.

This is where your leadership becomes invaluable: guiding a multidisciplinary team to design and deploy avionics systems that push boundaries while aligning with the rigorous standards of the aerospace domain.

This role goes far beyond the confines of a typical engineering job. It’s an invitation to join a collaborative, agile and globally diverse team on a mission to democratize space. The Exploration Company is not only offering a career-defining challenge but also relocation support and visa sponsorship for the right candidate.

For those with a passion for aerospace engineering, systems thinking and hands-on innovation, this position offers the chance to make history – one circuit, one launch, one mission at a time.

Arbeitsort: Planegg

Leistungen: Aus der vollständigen Stellenbeschreibung

At The Exploration Company, we are on a bold mission to redefine space travel. Our primary focus is the ongoing development, production and operation of Nyx, a state-of-the-art modular and reusable orbital vehicle. Designed to eventually enable in-orbit refueling and handle cargo – and potentially even humans – Nyx stands as a beacon of innovation in a rapidly evolving space industry.

The Nyx spacecraft is more than just an engineering feat; it symbolizes a shift towards sustainable and scalable space infrastructure. Our vision is to provide a reliable, cost-effective and flexible solution for transporting goods – and one day, people – into Earth’s orbit and beyond. To achieve this ambitious goal, we’re assembling a team of world-class experts, driven by passion and purpose.

As we continue our exciting journey, we’re looking for an experienced and visionary Avionics Lead to take charge of our avionics system development. This role is central to ensuring the successful integration of cutting-edge technology across our modular platforms.

From overseeing design and development to system certification and testing, your leadership will directly impact our mission to democratize access to space.

Key Responsibilities

As the Avionics Lead, your day-to-day responsibilities will span across all facets of the spacecraft’s avionics system lifecycle. You’ll be entrusted with both strategic oversight and hands-on execution, ensuring that our systems are built for reliability, safety and performance at every stage.

Team Leadership and Development

• Assemble, manage and inspire a cross-functional avionics engineering team.
• Cultivate a culture of excellence, accountability and innovation.
• Encourage collaboration across engineering disciplines, while promoting knowledge sharing and mentoring among team members.
• Oversee recruitment and skills development to maintain a top-tier avionics function.

System Architecture and Engineering Execution

• Define high-level system requirements for avionics including communication interfaces, data handling and power management.
• Take ownership of both “make” (in-house development) and “buy” (outsourced) components – overseeing schematic design, PCB layout, FPGA programming and supplier selection.
• Validate systems through rigorous simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing and mission-level scenarios to ensure functionality under diverse space conditions.
• Establish robust development practices that support iterative design, qualification and compliance to aerospace standards.

Power Systems Integration

• Engineer power systems that meet mission-critical demands, ensuring efficiency, scalability and safety across various mission profiles.
• Develop detailed power budgets and conduct trade-off analyses to optimize power-to-weight ratios without compromising performance.
• Validate operational consistency across varying thermal, radiation and vacuum environments encountered in orbit.

Collaborative Systems Engineering

• Work side-by-side with Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC), software and flight computing teams to ensure system harmony.
• Build a unified onboard architecture where all components operate with precision and reliability, under nominal and off-nominal conditions.
• Define protocols for subsystem integration, interface standardization and redundancy strategies.

Testing and Validation

• Lead the creation and maintenance of a Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation environment to test avionics logic and mission success criteria.
• Analyze test results in the context of system-level operations, iterating on design based on fault detection and operational limits.
• Develop test plans that ensure the spacecraft can withstand harsh launch and orbital environments.

Daily Duties and Responsibilities

As the Avionics Lead, your role includes a balance of high-level management and technical hands-on work. You’ll be responsible for guiding the engineering strategy while ensuring detailed execution aligns with project milestones. Typical activities include:

Avionics System Design

• Direct the design and optimization of flight control systems, telemetry, command and data handling units and radio communication platforms.
• Integrate inertial measurement units, sensors, antennas and computing elements into the spacecraft’s electronic backbone.
• Ensure the design follows modular principles to allow future reusability and upgrades.

Requirements Analysis

• Collaborate with stakeholders and systems engineers to translate mission goals into technical requirements.
• Identify potential challenges early and adjust specifications to ensure realistic engineering solutions.

Simulation and Modelling

• Utilize advanced tools for dynamic system simulation, such as MATLAB/Simulink, Modelica or SPICE.
• Perform thermal, electrical and timing simulations to ensure stability and predictability under orbital conditions.

Prototyping and Testing

• Supervise rapid prototyping efforts, working with electrical engineers to build breadboards and test assemblies.
• Conduct verification tests at the component, board and integrated system level.
• Participate directly in debugging activities and post-test data analysis.

Documentation

• Generate comprehensive technical documentation, from Interface Control Documents (ICDs) to test logs and design justifications.
• Maintain change management and revision control to ensure traceability and compliance with space industry standards.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Align avionics development with mechanical design, software deployment and system integration efforts.
• Coordinate closely with RAMS (Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety) experts to ensure robust system performance and long-term dependability.

Continuous Learning and Innovation

• Stay up to date with the latest advancements in avionics, satellite systems and deep space communication standards.
• Encourage ongoing technical learning within the team and introduce innovative ideas from industry trends.

What We’re Looking For in You

We are searching for someone who blends deep technical expertise with strong leadership qualities. The ideal candidate thrives in high-stakes, fast-paced environments and is passionate about solving complex challenges with elegant, scalable solutions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Aerospace, Electrical or a closely related engineering field.
• 6+ years of leadership experience in avionics design, preferably within space or aviation industries.
• Hands-on experience with FPGA programming, embedded systems design and low-noise analog/digital PCB layout.
• Strong familiarity with ECSS, MIL-STD, NASA-HBK or other aerospace regulatory frameworks.
• Solid grounding in RAMS principles – especially FMECA and FDIR methodologies.
• Understanding of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and EEE components.
• Working knowledge of VHDL/Verilog and microcontroller interfacing.
• Excellent communication skills – capable of conveying complex topics to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Desired Attributes

• Proven track record of leading multidisciplinary or multicultural teams.
• Meticulous attention to technical detail.
• A proactive and hands-on approach to testing, problem-solving and debugging.
• Curiosity, creativity and a passion for space exploration.

Why Join The Exploration Company?

We believe in building not only a company – but a movement. Joining us means becoming part of a diverse and inclusive team that’s shaping the future of human access to space.

Here’s What Makes Us Special:

• Agile by Nature: We make quick decisions and adapt rapidly, supported by clear goals and efficient systems.
• Open Culture: We believe in full transparency. Challenges are shared, discussed and solved collaboratively.
• Driven by Purpose: Our team is fueled by a shared mission to democratize space travel. It’s more than a job – it’s a legacy.
• Relocation and Visa Support: For the right candidate, we offer full relocation assistance and visa sponsorship to join our site in Planegg, Germany.

We invite you to take this rare opportunity and be part of something extraordinary. If you’re passionate about space, avionics and leadership, we’d love to hear from you. Submit your CV today for immediate consideration.

The direct link to the application form is:

team@exploration.space