Lead Systems Engineer

Honeywell Aerospace US LLC; Olathe (KS); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Disability coverage

401(k) plan

Educational assistance

Parental leave

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Job summary

Honeywell Aerospace US LLC seeks a Lead Datalink Systems Engineer to steer aircraft datalink initiatives across ACARS, ATN, VDL, CPDLC and ARINC standards. You will define architecture, requirements, interfaces, and verification strategies, driving certification and safety activities with multi-disciplinary teams.

The role demands deep avionics experience, strong problem solving, and the ability to communicatecomplex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of systems engineering experience with avionics or connectivity systems.
• Experience with datalink or avionics standards, requirements, and system-level testing.
• Must be a U.S. citizen due to contractual requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead system-level design, integration, verification and validation for aircraft datalink systems.
• Define requirements, interfaces, message flows and traceability.
• Support certification planning and safety/airworthiness activities.
• Provide senior technical guidance across cross-functional teams.
• Travel up to 20% domestically and internationally.

Skills

Datalink systems

Systems engineering

Aviation standards

Requirements management

Traceability

Certification

Technical leadership

Root-cause analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer/Systems Engineering

Tools

DOORS

Jama

JIRA

Git

MATLAB

Simulink

Python

Wireshark

RF test equipment

Job description

When you join Honeywell, you become a member of our global team of thinkers, innovators, dreamers, and doers who make the things that will shape the future. We are redefining what’s possible in flight by developing new technologies to achieve a higher level of connectivity between aircrafts, pilots and ground systems through cutting-edge technologies that make aerospace safer, smarter and more sustainable. You’ll be a part of a global team pushing the boundaries of innovation within our Communications, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) organization.

As a Lead Datalink Systems Engineer, you will provide technical leadership for aircraft datalink communication systems that connect aircraft, pilots, airline operations, and ground infrastructure. You will support system architecture, requirements definition, interface control, integration, verification, and certification activities for datalink capabilities using industry standards such as ACARS, ATN, VDL-Mode 2, SATCOM, CPDLC, FANS, and applicable ARINC standards. You will work across software, hardware, systems, test, product, program, supplier, customer, and certification teams to guide technical decisions, resolve integration challenges, and deliver reliable, compliant aerospace communication solutions.

Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead system-level design, integration, verification, and validation activities for aircraft datalink communication systems
• Define and manage system requirements, interface control documents, message flows, protocol behavior, assumptions, and compliance evidence with clear traceability
• Evaluate datalink performance, reliability, interoperability, availability, latency, throughput, error handling, and degraded-mode operation
• Support architecture and design trade studies for ACARS, ATN/OSI, ATN/IPS, VDL Mode 2, SATCOM, CPDLC, FANS, and IP-based aircraft-to-ground communication capabilities
• Support certification planning, safety reviews, requirements validation, verification evidence, and compliance closure aligned with DO-178C, DO-254, ARP4754A, and ARP4761 practices
• Investigate complex lab, flight-test, customer, and field issues using system logs, data traces, protocol captures, simulations, bench equipment, and structured root-cause analysis
• Provide senior technical guidance to cross-functional teams during design reviews, integration events, certification reviews, and issue-resolution discussions
• Travel within U.S. and/or internationally: 20%

Qualifications

YOU MUST HAVE

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field
• 8+ years of systems engineering experience with avionics, aircraft connectivity, aerospace communication systems, embedded systems, or safety-critical platforms
• Experience with datalink or avionics communication standards, system requirements, interface definition, integration, verification, validation, and system-level test activities
• Must be a United States Citizen due to contractual requirements

WE VALUE

• Knowledge of ACARS, ATN/OSI, ATN/IPS, VDL Mode 2, SATCOM, CPDLC, FANS, ARINC 618, ARINC 620, ARINC 623, ARINC 631, ARINC 633, ARINC 664/AFDX, or related aviation communication standards
• Experience with avionics certification and safety standards such as DO-178C, DO-254, DO-160, ARP4754A, ARP4761, DO-326A/ED-202A, or related airworthiness practices
• Experience with technology stack elements such as requirements tools, configuration management systems, simulation environments, HIL/SIL labs, protocol analyzers, bench test equipment, automated test frameworks, and data analysis tools
• Familiarity with tools and platforms such as DOORS, Jama, JIRA, Git, Teamcenter, MATLAB, Simulink, Python, Wireshark, Ethernet analyzers, serial bus analyzers, RF test equipment, and lab debugging workflows
• Ability to assess system behavior, interface impacts, link performance, network loading, cybersecurity considerations, certification risk, and operational tradeoffs
• Ability to lead technical reviews, mentor engineers, document architecture decisions, and communicate recommendations to technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented individual who can translate customer, program, certification, and operational needs into practical system solutions

Due to compliance with U.S. export control laws and regulations, candidate must be a U.S. Person, which is defined as, a U.S. citizen, a U.S. permanent resident, or have protected status in the U.S. under asylum or refugee status or have the ability to obtain an export authorizaion.

About us:

Join a company that's reintroducing itself to the aviation community we've helped advance for more than a century. At Honeywell Aerospace (NASDAQ: HONA), we're launching as an independent, publicly traded aerospace and defense company built on a legacy of operational excellence and mission-focused execution.

Our new brand identity pairs that heritage with real momentum, as we build technology that helps pilots navigate with confidence, aircraft operate more efficiently, and operators stay ahead of change. With our systems on board 90% of the world's aircraft, your work here has reach that's rare to find anywhere else.

Focusing on our customers, investing in innovation, and building a culture of accountability and performance is how we're shaping what comes next.

Every horizon. Every mission. Every day.

Benefits:

Beyond a performance-driven salary, you'll work alongside dedicated experts on technology that's advancing aviation. As a Honeywell Aerospace employee, you're eligible for a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Employer-subsidized medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts
• Employee assistance program and educational assistance
• Parental leave and 12 paid holidays
• Paid time off for vacation, personal and sick time

Explore your benefits: https://honeywellaerospacebenefits.com/

Electronic Solutions:

Honeywell Aerospace products and services are found on aircraft across commercial aviation, defense and space — from engines and cockpit electronics to cabin systems, mechanical components and connectivity solutions. Our technology helps operators fly more safely, reduce fuel consumption, improve on-time performance and deliver a better experience for the people on board.

As aviation continues to evolve, we're also developing systems to support autonomous and supersonic platforms, bringing the same focus on safety and efficiency to the next era of flight. With approximately 36,000 employees worldwide and net sales of $17.4B in 2025, Honeywell Aerospace is one of the largest dedicated aerospace companies in the world. Explore our businesses: https://www.honeywellaerospace.com

Electronic Solutions

Electronic Solutions develops the avionics, navigation systems, sensors and electromagnetic defense technology that help aircraft perform safely and with precision. Our systems are on board 90% of the world's aircraft — serving commercial aviation, defense and space operators from integrated flight deck platforms with 30-plus years in service to radiation-hardened systems trusted for human spaceflight.