About Us
AvionLyx is a +35 year old company serving the aerospace market with a variety of design services located in Heredia, Costa Rica. The company is growing rapidly, and this includes a focused push into electronics design. You have an opportunity to be a part of a brand-new team Avionyx is standing up to accomplish electronics design for aerospace application. While the focus of this new group initially will be on rapid development of special purpose test equipment, the long-term goal is on development of actual flight hardware. The successful candidates will work with software, systems, mechanical, and other electrical engineers to design, build, test, and support electronic equipment.
About the Job
We are seeking an experienced Lab Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of our Engineering labs, which support the development and verification of safety and mission-critical hardware and software utilizing rigorous aerospace standards (e.g., ARP4754B, DO-178C, DO-254, and AS-9100). This role is responsible for lab’s personnel performance, equipment, processes, and compliance posture, ensuring that all lab-based testing activities are executed with the rigor, traceability, and documentation required for airworthiness certification.
The ideal candidate combines hands-on technical credibility in a regulated test environment with solid people-management skills and is comfortable being the point person for both internal engineering teams and external auditors/certification authorities. The scope of the lab management activities includes system level test assets, low-level embedded HW and SW test assets, and prototyping lab assets.
This role is expected to actively shape the lab's testing roadmap rather than simply execute incoming requests: partnering closely with program and systems engineering stakeholders across sites and organizations—to translate evolving, sometimes partially-formed testing needs into a clear, feasible, and prioritized plan that balances internal program timelines against contracted third-party commitments.
Responsibilities
Lab Operations & Compliance
- Oversee daily operations of aerospace test laboratories and ensure compliance with AS9100, DO-254, and DO-178C requirements.
- Maintain lab procedures, SOPs, work instructions, and test protocols to ensure repeatable and auditable processes.
- Enforce ESD controls, environmental requirements, calibration standards, and laboratory safety practices.
- Support internal audits, customer audits, and certification authority reviews.
- Ensure proper lab conditions and documentation support engineering test activities.
Equipment & Resource Management
- Manage laboratory equipment selection, procurement, calibration, maintenance, and allocation to support project testing needs.
- Ensure equipment availability and compliance with technical specifications and quality standards.
Program Collaboration & Test Roadmap
- Collaborate with engineering and program teams to prioritize testing activities and align resources with project schedules.
- Support evolving program requirements by developing practical test strategies and solutions.
People & Resource Management
- Lead and develop lab technicians and test engineers through task assignment, training, and performance management.
- Manage staffing, budgets, and resources while promoting a quality-focused and safety-driven culture.
Documentation & Reporting
- Ensure test data, reports, and records meet DO-254/DO-178C traceability and integrity requirements.
- Maintain audit-ready documentation, including SOPs, calibration records, training records, and non-conformance reports.
- Ensure accurate reporting and compliance documentation throughout the testing lifecycle.
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field (equivalent experience considered).
- 5+ years of experience in test, verification, or laboratory role within an aerospace, avionics, or other highly regulated engineering environment.
- 2+ years of experience directly supervising technical staff.
- Familiarity with requirements management and test traceability tools.
- Strong understanding of lab equipment calibration, configuration management, and audit readiness practices.
- Working knowledge of ESD control principles and practices (e.g., per ANSI/ESD S20.20 or equivalent).
- Excellent organizational and communication skills, with experience interfacing with auditors or certification authorities.
- Availability to support operations across multiple sites as needed.
Desired
- Working knowledge of ARP4754B, DO-254 and DO-178C objectives and how they apply hardware/software verification activities.
- Experience operating within an AS9100-certified or ISO certified quality management system.
- Understanding of Customer Property Handling requirements in a regulated/contracted engineering environment.
- Six Sigma, Lean, or other continuous improvement certification.
Your Reward for Greatness
- Organize your time with our balanced, flexible daily schedule.
- Fuel your office days with delicious free lunch
- Level up your global career with master-level English classes.
- Invest in your knowledge growth with continuous learning subsidies.
- Stay connected and productive with our monthly internet subsidy.
- Get active and stay fit with our versatile sports subsidy.
- Access quality care for you with our evolving medical health plan.
- Earn more time for your priorities with additional Personal Time Off (PTO) as you grow here.
- Get rewarded for your impact with our yearly performance bonus.
