AI Technical Manager

Universal Avionics; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with safe harbor match

Every other Friday off

Vacation, sick time, and paid holidays

Wellness and employee assistance

And more

Job summary

Universal Avionics seeks a Technical Manager to unite systems engineering, software, AI, and image processing for an airborne product. You will own end-to-end technical ownership from requirements to delivery, coordinating across AI, software, and verification teams and aligning with PM and senior leadership.

The role requires broad systems thinking, aviation experience, and the ability to drive architecture decisions while balancing cost, schedule, and reliability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Experience leading complex programs or multidisciplinary product development in aviation.
• Knowledge of FAA certification processes or standards such as DO-178/DO-254 beneficial but not required.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end technical direction and integration of a complex airborne product.
• Connect requirements, architecture, development, verification, and system integration into a cohesive technical approach.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams across systems engineering, software, AI, image processing, and verification.
• Guide architecture decisions and technical trade-offs while maintaining consistency across the product.
• Navigate complex cross-disciplinary issues and drive teams toward clear, practical technical decisions.
• Identify technical risks, dependencies, and integration challenges early and drive them toward resolution.
• Lead technical and design reviews to ensure alignment on architecture, interfaces, and product objectives.
• Balance technical priorities with program milestones, cost, schedule, reliability, and aircraft-level constraints.
• Serve as the primary technical focal point for Program Management and senior leadership.
• Communicate technical status, decisions, risks, and dependencies clearly to stakeholders.

Skills

Technical leadership

Systems thinking

Aviation knowledge

AI/ML expertise

Software engineering

Cross-disciplinary coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/CS/EE

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

9/80 Schedule Available – Every Other Friday Off

Lead the Technology from Concept to Aircraft

Some technical leadership roles focus on one discipline. This one connects them all.

At Universal Avionics, we’re looking for a Technical Manager who can bring together systems engineering, software, AI, computer vision, and image processing to deliver an integrated airborne product.

You’ll be the technical focal point connecting specialized engineering teams, helping them navigate complex decisions, resolve cross-disciplinary challenges, and turn advanced technology into a reliable solution ready for the realities of flight.

The Opportunity

At Universal Avionics, we develop advanced avionics, enhanced vision systems, and intelligent cockpit technologies designed to improve aviation safety and situational awareness.

As a Technical Manager – AI, Software & Systems Engineering, you’ll take end-to-end technical ownership of an airborne product- from requirements and architecture through development, verification, integration, and delivery.

This role sits at the intersection of technology and execution. You’ll work through a multidisciplinary matrix organization, bringing together experts across systems, software, AI, image processing, and verification while maintaining alignment with Program Management and senior technical leadership.

You don’t need to be the deepest specialist in every technology. You do need the technical judgment to understand the system as a whole, evaluate approaches, challenge assumptions, make informed trade-offs, and create alignment among highly capable domain experts.

What You’ll Do

• Own the end-to-end technical direction and integration of a complex airborne product
• Connect requirements, architecture, development, verification, and system integration into a cohesive technical approach
• Lead multidisciplinary teams across systems engineering, software, AI, image processing, and verification
• Guide architecture decisions and technical trade-offs while maintaining consistency across the product
• Navigate complex cross-disciplinary issues and drive teams toward clear, practical technical decisions
• Identify technical risks, dependencies, and integration challenges early and drive them toward resolution
• Lead technical and design reviews that ensure teams remain aligned on architecture, interfaces, and product objectives
• Balance technical priorities with program milestones, cost, schedule, reliability, and aircraft-level constraints
• Serve as the primary technical focal point for Program Management, senior engineering leadership, peer technical leaders, and other stakeholders
• Communicate technical status, decisions, risks, and dependencies clearly while keeping teams focused on shared outcomes

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a technically credible leader who can create alignment and accountability without relying on direct reporting authority.

You’ll bring:

• Experience leading complex technical programs or multidisciplinary product-development activities
• Relevant experience with aviation, avionics, aircraft systems, or airborne product development
• Strong systems thinking and an understanding of aircraft-level integration, interfaces, operational constraints, and reliability
• Practical technical knowledge across AI/ML, software, systems engineering, computer vision, or image processing
• Familiarity with technologies such as neural networks, object and motion detection, video analytics, classification, and tracking
• Ability to evaluate technical approaches, guide architecture decisions, and effectively lead specialists across multiple engineering disciplines
• Strong ability to influence, facilitate decisions, and create accountability within a matrix organization
• Ability to connect technical execution with program priorities, cost, and schedule commitments
• Clear communication skills and the ability to translate complex technical topics for engineering, program, and leadership stakeholders
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field

An advanced degree is preferred. Knowledge of FAA certification processes or standards such as DO-178, DO-254, and ARP4754 is beneficial but not required.

Why Employees Love Working Here

• Take technical ownership of an advanced airborne product from architecture through delivery
• Work at the intersection of AI, computer vision, software, systems engineering, and aviation
• Lead highly capable technical experts while staying close to the engineering
• Solve complex integration challenges where decisions have real product impact
• Influence architecture and technical direction without moving away from hands‑on technical leadership
• Collaborate across Engineering, Program Management, and senior technical leadership
• Help transform emerging technologies into reliable solutions designed for demanding aircraft environments

What Success Looks Like

• A clear and cohesive technical direction is maintained across the full product lifecycle
• Systems, software, AI, image processing, and verification teams stay aligned around shared technical objectives
• Architecture and interface decisions remain consistent as the product evolves
• Technical risks and dependencies are identified early and addressed before they become program roadblocks
• Complex cross-functional issues move toward decisions and resolution rather than remaining between organizational boundaries
• Technical execution remains aligned with program milestones, cost, schedule, and delivery commitments
• Stakeholders have clear visibility into technical status, risks, decisions, and dependencies
• You become the trusted technical focal point connecting the product, engineering teams, and broader program

Our Mindset & Core Values

We advance avionics technology through creative engineering and continuous improvement.

We hold ourselves to high standards in quality, reliability, and execution.

We solve complex technical challenges in demanding aerospace environments.

We value technical leaders who are proactive, collaborative, adaptable, and solutions-oriented—and who create alignment and accountability across the teams they lead.

Benefits begin on your first day as a full-time employee.

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with safe harbor match within 60 days
• Every other Friday off
• Vacation, sick time, and paid holidays
• Wellness and employee assistance programsms>
• And more

This role is based onsite in Tucson, Arizona due to the highly collaborative nature of multidisciplinary product development, technical integration, design reviews, and close coordination across engineering and program teams.

Ready to Lead What’s Next?

If you’re energized by complex technical challenges, enjoy bringing multiple engineering disciplines together, and want to take end-to-end technical ownership of advanced airborne technology, we want to hear from you.

Join Universal Avionics and help turn advanced ideas into integrated, reliable technologies built for the future of flight.

Universal Avionics’ products and technology are subject to U.S. export laws and regulations, including ITAR and EAR requirements. Employment eligibility may depend on work authorization and citizenship status in accordance with these regulations.