Lead Project Engineer

Socket.dev; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Acron Aviation is seeking a Lead Project Engineer to guide Surveillance programs from pursuit through production. You will manage technical scope, schedule, cost, and risk, acting as both technical and project leader with close collaboration with Program Management.

Responsibilities include coordinating with customers, suppliers, and IPTs, directing engineering resources, and ensuring compliance and timely delivery across the product lifecycle while communicating clearly with all stakeholders in

Qualifications

• Minimum 9 years' experience in project engineering within complex programs.
• Solid knowledge of development processes and product lifecycle management.
• Experience with earned value, risk, and scope management.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering development activities and resource planning
• Coordinate with PMs, IPTs, and customers to meet targets
• Manage technical risks and ensure IMS planning and baselines
• Drive system architecture, design reviews, testing, and production transition
• Facilitate cross-functional communication with suppliers and stakeholders

Skills

Leadership in engineering teams

Strong communication & collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Graduate Degree in related field

Tools

DO-178

DO-254

DO-160

ARP4754A

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, and integrated surveillance solutions deployed across commercial, military, and rotorcraft platforms. This work is performed in highly regulated environments and demands deep expertise across systems, hardware, software, certification, and program execution throughout the full product lifecycle.

Job Title

Lead Project Engineer - Surveillance

Position Summary

Acron Aviation is seeking an experienced Project Engineer to join our engineering team within the Surveillance product line.

The Project Engineer (PE) manages the technical aspects of assigned projects and ensures technical, schedule, and cost objectives are achieved. The PE serves as both a technical leader and project leader, partnering closely with Program Management while maintaining responsibility for engineering execution.

This role spans multiple phases of the product lifecycle, including pursuit, development, production, and post-delivery support. The Project Engineer coordinates and leads engineering development activities, plans and directs engineering resources, manages technical risks, and ensures successful execution against program commitments.

The successful candidate will work closely with Program Managers, customers, suppliers, and engineering leadership to deliver quality technical solutions within budget and schedule constraints while maintaining strong communication across all stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with Program Managers and Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) to ensure successful program execution against technical, schedule, and cost objectives


• Collaborate with cross-functional leadership to advocate for program priorities while balancing competing business demands


• Interface directly with customers regarding technical and contractual requirements and support successful customer outcomes


• Support proposal development activities, including Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) development, Basis of Estimate (BOE) creation, Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) planning, and risk assessment


• Lead requirements definition, verification planning, technical baseline development, resource identification, and engineering execution activities


• Support system architecture development, design trade studies, preliminary and detailed design efforts, system integration, testing, qualification, and production transition activities


• Ensure technical deliverables support successful Entry-Into-Service objectives


• Serve as the focal point for engineering development, product definition, resource allocation, task assignment, technical decisions, and problem resolution


• Lead engineering teams in a matrixed environment to ensure successful completion of program objectives


• Maintain proactive communication with Program Management, engineering leadership, suppliers, customers, and project stakeholders


• Support program reviews, leadership reviews, customer meetings, and technical milestone activities


• Contribute to risk identification, mitigation planning, and issue resolution activities throughout the program lifecycle

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 9 years of relevant project engineering experience; or


• Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of related project engineering experience


• Strong knowledge of engineering development processes and product lifecycle management


• Proficient understanding of project management principles, including earned value management, risk management, and scope management


• Experience leading technical teams within complex engineering development programs


• Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary organizations


• Experience managing technical execution across multiple stakeholders and priorities

Preferred Additional Skills

• Working knowledge of resource-loaded scheduling and Microsoft Project


• Experience with DO-178, DO-254, DO-160, and ARP4754A product development environments


• Experience supporting surveillance, avionics, aerospace, or safety-critical product development programs


• Experience working directly with customers, suppliers, and certification authorities


• Understanding of systems engineering, software development, hardware development, and product integration activities


• Experience supporting certification, qualification, and production transition activities


• Strong leadership and organizational skills within matrixed engineering environments

Equal Opportunity Statement

Acron Aviation is proud to be an Affi­rective 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.