Aircraft Lighting Engineer

Aircraft Lighting Engineer IFE Products Carpentersville, IL Job Details Full-time $85,000 - $100,000 a year 1 day ago Benefits Dental insurance 401(k) Tuition reimbursement Parental leave Employee assistance program Retirement plan Qualifications Thermal analysis Electrical compliance testing MATLAB Engineering equipment malfunctions diagnostics Product development project management Project engineering Content creation for technical audiences Defect resolution root cause analysis Technical documentation Embedded systems FPGA Defect analysis Lighting systems CAD design (engineering design task) Electrical system design Firmware Firmware development C Troubleshooting electrical systems Surface mount soldering Electronics compliance testing Design engineering Printed circuit board (PCB) layout Aerospace electrical engineering expertise Managing projects FPGA circuit design Engineering environmental testing SystemVerilog Electrical Engineering Technical writing within technology Full Job Description Job Summary About the Role IFE Products is seeking a highly skilled Aircraft Exterior Lighting Engineer to join our aerospace engineering team. This role is responsible for designing, developing, and testing exterior lighting systems for a range of aircraft platforms — including conventional and electric aircraft — ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards while delivering reliable, high-performance lighting solutions. You will work across the full product lifecycle, from concept and analysis through testing, qualification, and integration, collaborating closely with cross-functional engineering teams. Responsibilities Design and develop aircraft exterior lighting systems including navigation (position) lights, anti-collision lighting, landing and taxi lights, and recognition and logo lighting Lead PCB layout and firmware development for lighting control modules, integrating FPGA and SoC components for enhanced reliability and functionality Develop embedded firmware and control algorithms using C++, Python, MATLAB, and SystemVerilog to optimize lighting performance Perform and document engineering analyses including electrical load and power consumption, thermal performance and heat dissipation, and environmental durability (vibration, temperature extremes, moisture) Conduct root cause analysis on system failures using debugging techniques, signal processing analysis, and diagnostic tools Support system integration activities and ensure compatibility with aircraft electrical and structural systems Collaborate with cross-functional teams including electrical, mechanical, and certification engineering Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory standards including DO-160 environmental testing, EMI/EMC requirements, and

FAA/EASA

certification requirements for exterior lighting Support testing and qualification activities including environmental and EMI/EMC validation Collaborate with manufacturing teams to ensure SMT, soldering processes, and surface finishing meet quality standards Utilize CAD tools (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, MicroStation) to create detailed schematics and mechanical layouts Perform system testing and validation using simulation tools such as Simulink; oversee prototype development Support project scheduling, define milestones, track progress, and coordinate interdisciplinary activities to meet deadlines Contribute to design reviews, technical documentation, compliance reports, and continuous improvement efforts Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering Direct hands-on experience designing or supporting aircraft exterior lighting systems Familiarity with DO-160 environmental testing and qualification standards Knowledge of EMI/EMC principles and their impact on aircraft systems Experience performing electrical and thermal analyses Strong understanding of aircraft electrical systems and integration considerations Proficiency in CAD software including AutoCAD, SolidWorks, MicroStation, or Revit Hands-on experience with firmware development using C++, Python, MATLAB, or similar languages Strong knowledge of FPGA programming, SystemVerilog, and PCB design Familiarity with surface mount technology (SMT) and soldering techniques Ability to perform root cause analysis and troubleshoot electrical systems effectively Strong communication skills for technical documentation and cross-team coordination Excellent project management skills with the ability to work across multidisciplinary teams Preferred Qualifications (Not Required) Advanced degree in a relevant engineering discipline Experience in eVTOL, UAV, or electric aircraft development programs Familiarity with LED-based lighting technologies and control systems Experience with simulation or analysis tools for thermal and electrical performance Knowledge of certification requirements for exterior lighting systems Experience working with suppliers and managing component development Familiarity with signal processing techniques for system optimization Experience with vision inspection systems Knowledge of NEC (National Electrical Code) standards

Tools & Technologies CAD:

AutoCAD, SolidWorks, MicroStation, Revit Programming & firmware: C++,

Python, MATLAB, SystemVerilog, Perl Hardware:

FPGA, SoC, ARM microcontrollers, PLCs, PCB design

Simulation:

Simulink, Revit structural analysis

Diagnostics:

ohmmeters, vision inspection systems, signal analysis tools

Standards:

DO-160, EMI/EMC, FAA/EASA

exterior lighting certification

Pay:

$85,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Employee assistance program Parental leave Retirement plan Tuition reimbursement

Work Location:

In person