Engineering Manager, Avionics Systems & Recorders Lead

Acron Aviation; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Acron Aviation in Grand Rapids, MI, is seeking an Engineering Manager for the Recorders product line to lead Systems, Software, and Engineering Project Lead teams delivering mission‑critical flight data and cockpit voice recorder solutions.

This leader‑of‑leaders role shapes organizational strategy, workforce planning, and execution priorities to align capabilities with business growth and certification requirements across aerospace programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems, Software, Computer, Electrical, Aerospace, or related engineering discipline.
• 10+ years of engineering experience in aerospace, avionics, defense, or related industries.
• 3+ years of engineering leadership or management experience with direct reports.
• Working knowledge of avionics development lifecycles (ARP‑4754A systems and/or DO‑178C software practice).
• A people‑first leadership record: talent development, coaching and mentoring, succession planning, performance management, and team building.
• Experience with engineering project planning, estimation, and risk management.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to lead through influence in a matrixed organization.

Responsibilities

• Build, develop, and retain high‑performing engineering teams by fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Coach and mentor engineering leaders and individual contributors, helping them achieve their professional goals while growing organizational capability.
• Lead functional governance across systems engineering (ARP‑4754A), software engineering (DO‑178C), and engineering project leadership.
• Own workforce planning, succession planning, resource allocation, and engineering budgets across three functions.
• Drive program execution: credible estimates, resource‑loaded schedules, risk management, and metrics‑driven management.
• Collaborate with product management, hardware engineering, and other stakeholders to define product requirements and roadmaps.
• Sponsor engineering transformation: model‑based systems engineering, digital thread, and modern development practices compatible with certification.
• Drive continuous improvement and AI adoption within your organization — championing lean practices and AI‑assisted engineering tools as part of how the team works every day.
• Work across product lines, partnering with peer engineering managers to share talent, harmonize practices, and carry lessons learned between organizations.
• Partner closely with senior leaders, program managers, customers, and functional stakeholders to drive successful program outcomes and organizational effectiveness.
• Act as the engineering technical liaison with customers, suppliers, and regulatory agencies when required.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Mentoring

Influence

Team building

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Systems, Software, Computer, Electrical, Aerospace, or related engineering discipline

Master’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Management, or MBA

Tools

MBSE

Job description

Acron Aviation in Grand Rapids, MI, is seeking an Engineering Manager for the Recorders product line to lead Systems, Software, and Engineering Project Lead teams delivering mission‑critical flight data and cockpit voice recorder solutions.

This leader‑of‑leaders role shapes organizational strategy, workforce planning, and execution priorities to align capabilities with business growth and certification requirements across aerospace programs.