Head of Avionics & Electrical Department
OHB Sweden AB · Stockholm · Tills vidare
OHB Sweden AB is seeking a **Head of Avionics & Electrical Department** to lead a team of approximately 23 engineers and specialists responsible for the electrical and electronic systems of small satellite platforms. Reporting to the Head of Engineering & Technology, the role oversees technical deliveries in quality, time, and cost across the complete spacecraft lifecycle, from proposals through launch and operations. Responsibilities include staff recruitment, onboarding, development, resource planning, departmental budgeting, and defining engineering processes and tools. The position serves as a primary contact for customers, partners, and suppliers, and requires **occasional travel, primarily within Europe**. Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Physics, or a related discipline. Requirements include **at least 10 years of experience as an engineer and technical leader** in avionics, electronics, electrical systems, communications, or a related field, alongside proven experience managing teams and complex engineering activities. Applicants need strong technical knowledge of spacecraft avionics, electrical architectures, power systems, communications, onboard computing, EMC, radiation effects, and applicable space standards. Fluency in English is required, while knowledge of Swedish is considered a plus.
As Head of the Avionics & Electrical Department, you will play a central role in shaping the electrical and electronic architecture of our satellite platforms and ensuring the reliable performance of our missions. Our customers include major space companies, agencies, and commercial players across Europe and worldwide.
OHB Sweden develops advanced small satellite systems for scientific and Earth observation missions. These missions require highly reliable avionics and electrical systems that form the backbone of the spacecraft, enabling power generation and distribution, communications, command and data handling, and mission operations.
The Avionics & Electrical Department is responsible for the design, development, verification, and support of the satellite's electrical and electronic systems. The department currently consists of approximately 23 highly skilled engineers and specialists working in areas including:
- Electrical Architecture
- Electrical Power Systems (EPS)
- TT&C and Communications Systems and RF Systems
- EMC / EMI
- Electronics Design
- Radiation Engineering and EEE Component Usage
- Data Handling Systems and Onboard Computers
- Harness Design
- FPGA Design
- EGSE design
The department contributes throughout the complete spacecraft lifecycle, from early mission concepts and proposal activities, through design studies, detailed development, subsystem and system verification, launch preparation, and operational support.
The space industry is evolving rapidly, driven by increased satellite autonomy, software-defined systems, miniaturized electronics, higher levels of integration, growing constellation markets, and increasing demands on cybersecurity, resilience, and manufacturability. At the same time, OHB Sweden is transitioning towards a higher degree of productization and industrialization of its satellite platforms. In this context, the Avionics & Electrical Department will play a key role in defining future platform architectures, technologies, methodologies, and engineering practices. As Head of Department, you will lead this evolution and ensure OHB Sweden remains a competitive and technically leading provider of advanced small satellite systems.
As Head of the Avionics & Electrical Department, you will be mainly responsible for:
- Driving staff recruitment, onboarding, and development to build a motivated and high-performing team.
- Managing resource planning to balance project demands and support business growth, in close collaboration with project managers and other department heads.
- Acting as a key point of contact for customers, partners, and suppliers on avionics, electrical, communications, electronics, and onboard computing matters.
- Ensures that engineering processes relevant for the department activities exist and are properly implemented.
- Ensures that proper engineering tools are efficiently used in the department
- Owns the department ways-of-working.
- Implementing strategic and operational decisions from the Company Management Team within the department.
- Ensuring the department's skills and expertise align with the evolving needs of the company and its projects.
- Reporting to employees and managers.
- Overall responsibility for the technical deliveries from the department to the project in quality, time and cost.
- Managing resource planning to balance project demands and support business growth, in close collaboration with project managers and other department heads.
- Contributing to proposals by estimating costs and evaluating staffing.
- Leading budgeting within your area of responsibility, covering general expenses, training, laboratories, equipment, and investments.
What We're Looking For
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Physics, or a related discipline.
- At least 10 years of experience as an engineer and technical leader within avionics, electronics, electrical systems, communications, or a related field.
- Proven leadership skills, with experience managing teams and coordinating complex, multidisciplinary engineering activities.
- Strong understanding of spacecraft avionics and electrical systems, including electrical architectures, power systems, communications, onboard computing, electronics development and testing.
- Understanding of EMC, radiation effects, reliability, and engineering standards applicable to space systems.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to foster innovation and continuous improvement within the team.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Fluency in English; knowledge of Swedish is a plus.
- A collaborative mindset, with experience working in multicultural and multidisciplinary environments.
What We Offer
- A unique opportunity to lead one of the key engineering departments responsible for the core avionics and electrical capabilities of our satellite platforms.
- Involvement in all phases of satellite projects, from early studies and proposal work to launch and operations.
- A supportive and innovative work environment, with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Competitive salary and benefits, with flexibility for work-life balance.
The Head of Avionics & Electrical Department will report to the Head of Engineering & Technology and play a key role in the company's technical leadership team. This position may require occasional travel, primarily within Europe.
Join us and help shape the next generation of satellite avionics and electrical systems!