Principal Engineer

Summary

Join SandboxAQ, a high-growth company developing AI solutions, as a Principal Engineer to lead the development and integration of next-generation magnetic navigation solutions. You will lead a team, define strategic technical direction, mentor engineers, and research advancements in quantum sensing and AI-driven navigation. This role involves designing, developing, and testing magnetic navigation systems for various platforms, working with cross-functional teams, and overseeing the transition from prototype to production. You will also present to stakeholders and contribute to national security and commercial aviation. This is an opportunity to shape the future of PNT in a rapidly evolving field.

Requirements

• MS or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related engineering field
• 10+ years of demonstrated experience in avionics electrical system development, with a proven track record in transitioning technologies from prototype to production
• Able to take complex problems and devise elegant solutions leading dynamic, multidisciplinary teams
• You have a growth mindset and are an empathetic leader
• You embrace ambitious goals and are adept at getting your team to execute against them
• You have a strong understanding of sensors and sensor systems involved in navigation and positioning technologies. You are able to understand key information needed for good system level decisions
• You use a strong knowledge and intuition of physical principles underlying such systems to find elegant solutions to complex problems, especially around optimization and error reduction
• You have worked on emerging or novel technologies where risk reduction strategies are key
• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences
• U.S. Citizenship is required due to USG contract requirements

Responsibilities

• Lead and define AQNav’s strategic technical direction in magnetic navigation, leading development workstreams across a multidisciplinary engineering organization including hardware, software, AI, and navigation algorithm engineers
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and guidance to a team of talented engineers, fostering their professional growth and contributing to a culture of technical excellence
• Trailblaze the cutting edge of magnetic navigation technology, actively researching and evaluating advancements in quantum sensing, AI/ML-driven navigation, and other relevant fields to ensure AQNav remains a leader in the industry
• Attend and present on behalf of the AQNav team to external stakeholders, including governmental, client, and regulatory bodies, including at relevant industry conferences or conventions
• Spearhead the design, development, and rigorous testing of cutting-edge magnetic navigation systems for a variety of challenging operational platforms, including advanced aircraft, unmanned vehicles, and other demanding applications
• Work with subject matter experts to establish and execute rigorous calibration, validation, and verification procedures to ensure the highest levels of performance and reliability in diverse operational environments
• Oversee the efficient operation of a set of cross-functional teams, including hardware, software, and testing engineers both internal and external to the company, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment to drive seamless system integration and rapid prototyping
• Execute our transition plan from prototype to production over the coming years, including international expansion
• Work directly with engineers, and cross-functionally, to problem-solve priority workstreams and accelerate development efforts

Preferred Qualifications

• 12+ years of significant experience in avionics system development for demanding aerospace or defense applications, with a proven history of delivering successful solutions
• Hands-on experience with advanced sensing and sensor fusion technologies, demonstrating practical knowledge of their implementation and capabilities
• Extensive experience with advanced signal processing, robust navigation, and enhanced system performance
• Direct experience with aviation or military certification processes for navigation systems, including familiarity with relevant regulatory requirements and standards
• Proven experience with flight testing, data analysis, and system optimization in real-world operational environments and strong understanding of the product development lifecycle in aerospace
• Familiarity with relevant industry standards (e.g., DO-160, RTCA) and best practices for aerospace systems development
• Demonstrated expertise of Python, or C/C++ with a demonstrated ability to design and optimize algorithms for production-ready systems, including system simulation and scalability considerations
• A strong foundational knowledge of physics and curiosity for quantum and AI
• Located in or able to travel to the SF Bay Area to collaborate with engineering teams

Benefits

• The US base salary range for this full-time position is expected to be $220k - $315k per year
• This role may be eligible for annual discretionary bonuses and equity
• Competitive salaries
• Stock options depending on employment type
• Generous learning opportunities
• Medical/dental/vision
• Family planning/fertility
• PTO (summer and winter breaks)
• Financial wellness resources
• 401(k) plans