Lead Embedded Software Engineer

Medium; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Acron Aviation is seeking a Lead Software Engineer – Surveillance to guide cross‑functional teams in developing and testing avionics surveillance systems that enhance aviation safety. You will drive software from concept to certification and field deployment while ensuring compliance with aerospace standards.

The role requires strong technical leadership, extensive embedded software experience in regulated environments, and the ability to influence long‑term software architecture and processes

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline as listed.
• Experience leading software development in safety‑critical avionics or similarly regulated industries.
• Experience supporting software certification activities and DO‑178C alignment.
• Strong communication, teamwork, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to influence technical direction across matrixed teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for avionics surveillance software across lifecycle.
• Ensure compliance with DO-178C and aerospace standards.
• Support certification activities and regulatory compliance.
• Lead estimation and planning for programs with cross‑functional partners.
• Mentor engineers and drive technical excellence across teams.
• Collaborate with software, systems, hardware, quality, and certification groups.
• Incorporate emerging AI technologies into software development practices.

Skills

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Strong communication

Problem solving

Influence direction

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering/CS/EE/Software Eng

Tools

Git

Bitbucket

ClearCase

ClearQuest

DOORS

Jama

Jenkins

Job description

About Acron Aviation (Avionics – Surveillance):

Acron Aviation designs, engineers, and manufactures certified avionics systems that support safety‑critical flight operations across commercial and military aviation. Within Avionics, the Surveillance product line develops and sustains systems that enable aircraft awareness, collision avoidance, and airspace interoperability. Our portfolio includes TCAS, Mode S transponders, ADS‑B, TAWS, and integrated surveillance solutions deployed across commercial, military, and rotorcraft platforms. This work is performed in highly regulated environments and demands close collaboration across software, systems, hardware, certification, and program teams throughout the full product lifecycle.

Job Title

Lead Software Engineer – Surveillance

Position Summary

As a Lead Software Engineer, you will provide technical leadership and support for cross‑functional teams responsible for developing and testing avionics surveillance systems, products, and services that directly impact aviation safety and operational effectiveness.

In this role, you will design and develop software solutions from concept through certification and field deployment. You will work closely with internal and external customers, regulatory authorities, engineering teams, and program leadership to ensure successful product execution while maintaining compliance with applicable aerospace standards and certification requirements.

This position requires strong technical leadership, software development expertise, and the ability to influence engineering direction across multidisciplinary teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Interface with project leadership on all aspects of the software lifecycle and represent the organization during customer meetings and technical reviews
• Provide technical leadership for software development activities while ensuring compliance with DO-178C and other applicable aerospace standards
• Serve as a primary technical authority for software‑related TSO activities, supporting certification efforts and regulatory compliance
• Drive and support continuous process improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, quality, scalability, and engineering effectiveness
• Influence and shape strategies for incorporating emerging artificial intelligence technologies into the software development lifecycle
• Lead software estimation activities for new programs and projects while collaborating with cross‑functional stakeholders
• Lead and contribute to red‑team investigations for fielded product issues and perform Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) activities
• Support customer and internal audits of software development processes and associated lifecycle data
• Mentor and guide engineers while fostering technical excellence, collaboration, and professional growth
• Represent software engineering in technical reviews, program planning activities, and risk assessments
• Anticipate technical challenges, develop innovative solutions, and influence long‑term software architecture decisions
• Ensure software deliverables support program cost, schedule, quality, and certification objectives
• Collaborate across software, systems, hardware, quality, and certification teams to ensure successful product execution

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• Significant experience developing safety‑critical embedded software within aerospace, avionics, or similarly regulated industries
• Experience leading software development efforts and providing technical direction across engineering teams
• Experience supporting software certification activities and compliance with aerospace development standards
• Strong written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills
• Action‑oriented, results‑driven, self‑starter with strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to drive issues to root cause
• Ability to influence technical direction and collaborate effectively across a matrixed engineering organization

Preferred Additional Skills

• Experience developing Displays and Surveillance products such as Transponders, TCAS, TAWS, or related avionics systems
• Experience with Real‑Time Operating Systems including Green Hills, VxWorks, CentOS, or similar platforms
• Experience with C++, Python, Visual Basic, Pascal, or similar programming languages
• Experience developing software in Linux environments
• Experience with Configuration Management and Change Control tools such as Git, Bitbucket, ClearCase, or ClearQuest
• Experience using requirements management tools such as DOORS
• Familiarity with next‑generation requirements and lifecycle management tools such as Jama
• Experience with Agile software development methodologies
• Experience implementing DevOps concepts, Continuous Integration, and Continuous Testing practices
• Experience with Jenkins and automated build environments
• Experience supporting field investigations, corrective actions, and software sustainment activities
• Familiarity with AI‑enabled engineering tools and software development automation technologies

Equal Opportunity Statement

Acron Aviation is proud to be an Affir­ment Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to treating all employees and applicants with respect and dignity and to maintaining a workplace free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Additional Information

Acron Aviation maintains a drug‑free workplace and conducts pre‑employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where allowed by law. Acron Aviation is an E‑Verify employer.