Hardware Lead Engineer

CONTEXT 

Dovetail Electric Aviation is leading the transition of regional aviation towards a fully electric, zero-emissions future. Formed by Sydney Aviation Holdings and Dante Aeronautical, Dovetail is at the forefront of electric aircraft conversion, with the objective of achieving STC certification for the world’s first electric Cessna Caravan. 

Electric aviation will initially transform small and regional aircraft, becoming the dominant trend in the coming decade. Dovetail is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation through strong partnerships with operators and key suppliers, combining innovation, agility and engineering rigor. 

To support this ambitious roadmap, Dovetail is expanding its engineering capabilities and is seeking a Hardware Lead Engineer to take ownership of the hardware development domain. 

WHAT WE OFFER 

Dovetail has been conceived as a dynamic company with sustainability and integrity as core values. We will combine agility with innovation, and we want to put Australia in the global map of electric aviation. This is an extremely exciting opportunity as the sector of electric aviation is poised for massive growth and we think Dovetail is uniquely positioned to be one of the global leaders, thanks to our partnerships with airlines (starting with Sydney Seaplanes as co-owners but also including European operators) or critical suppliers with which we have secured exclusivity. 

For that reason, and in order to complement our powerful relationships, we are trying to attract top talent committed to make aviation clean and fight against climate change. Apart from a very exciting project in a dynamic environment with other likeminded people sharing common values, we are offering a competitive salary, flexible work arrangements when feasible and participation on company shares program for initial key employees joining our core team. 

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Hardware Lead Engineer will be responsible for leading the hardware development function, both technically and organizationally. This role goes beyond individual contribution: it requires ownership of architecture, planning, documentation, team coordination and alignment with certification objectives.

The successful candidate will drive hardware development across the full lifecycle, ensuring that designs meet performance, safety, certification and program objectives, while building and organizing an effective hardware engineering team.

This position is based in Seville, Spain, with a hybrid working model. There may be occasional travel to Trebujena to support and review battery production and manufacturing processes, as well as limited interaction with international teams as the program evolves.

KEY RESPONSABILITIES

Technical Leadership 

• Lead the end-to-end hardware development lifecycle, from requirements definition through design, implementation, verification and certification. 

• Define hardware architectures and technical strategies aligned with system, certification and business objectives. 

• Act as the technical authority for hardware decisions within the company. 

• Ensure compliance with applicable aviation standards, including RTCA DO-254 and DO-160. 

Team & Project Coordination 

• Organize, mentor and technically guide the hardware engineering team. 

• Plan and prioritize hardware development activities in line with project milestones. 

• Coordinate hardware tasks across multiple disciplines (systems, software, certification, airframe). 

• Support recruitment, onboarding and growth of the hardware team. 

Design & Development 

• Oversee schematic design, PCB layout (including HV and safety-critical designs) and hardware integration. 

• Ensure robust design practices covering EMI/EMC, environmental constraints and reliability. 

• Support hardware-software integration, particularly for BMS, power electronics and motor control systems. 

• Guide verification activities using tools such as LTSpice and MATLAB. 

Documentation & Certification 

• Define and maintain hardware documentation, including design data, verification plans and compliance evidence. 

• Ensure traceability between requirements, design and verification artifacts. 

• Actively support certification activities in collaboration with the certification and systems teams. 

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical or Electronic Engineering (or equivalent). 

• Strong experience in hardware development for safety-critical systems. 

• Proven ability to lead technical activities and coordinate engineering teams. 

• Solid knowledge of RTCA DO-254 design assurance and certification processes. 

• Experience with EMI/EMC and environmental testing. 

• Proficiency in Altium Designer. 

• Experience using LTSpice and MATLAB for hardware analysis and verification. 

• Understanding of high-voltage PCB design and operation in DO-160 environments. 

• High level of technical English, both written and spoken, required for: 

• Technical documentation 

• Interaction with international stakeholders 

• Certification and supplier communication 

• Excellent communication skills and ability to work across multidisciplinary teams. 

• Previous experience in aviation or aerospace is highly valued, but not mandatory.