A partitioned exciter system for use with an igniter in an aircraft engine. The exciter has low-energy charging circuit and a high-energy discharge circuit that are remotely located from each other and that are connected by a low-energy coaxial cable. The charging circuit can be located within the aircraft fuselage and the discharge circuit mounted at the engine. The discharge circuit contains passive components that do not need special environmental protection, and the remotely located charging circuit can utilize existing electrical circuitry protection measures already in place in the fuselage to protect against lightning and other potentially-damaging environmental factors. Also disclosed is a housing arrangement for the discharge circuit that allows it to be directly attached to the igniter.