Senior Embedded Software Product Line Leader

IF1139 GE Aviation Systems LLC; Grand Rapids (MI); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Hybrid work schedule

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

GE Aerospace in Grand Rapids, MI seeks a Senior Embedded Software Product Line Leader to drive Platform Software engineering for the ACE product line. You will guide cross-functional teams and external suppliers through the full embedded lifecycle, including DO-178C certification, with emphasis on reuse, scalability, and program execution.

This role requires 10+ years in embedded real-time systems, strong leadership, and the ability to align technical, programmatic, and business objectives

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field from an accredited university.
• 10+ years of embedded real-time systems and software development experience.
• 10+ years leading software engineering through full lifecycle.
• Experience managing cross-functional, multi-site teams in regulated environments.
• Strong technical leadership in embedded software environments.
• U.S. citizenship is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead distributed software engineering teams across GE Aerospace and suppliers.
• Serve as primary engineering contact for customers and stakeholders.
• Own and evolve the ACE product line roadmap for reuse and scalability.
• Drive program execution across schedule, cost, scope, risk, and quality.
• Coordinate with Systems, Hardware, Safety, Security, Quality, Certification, Sourcing, and PM.
• Provide oversight across requirements, design, verification, validation, and certification.

Skills

Embedded real-time systems

Software engineering leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Customer interface

US citizenship

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer/Electrical/Software Engineering or related

Tools

DO-178C certification experience

ARINC-653 IMA familiarity

Job description

Job Description Summary

The Senior Embedded Software Product Line Leader will lead Platform Software engineering efforts for key programs within the Application Compute Environment (ACE) Product Line. This role serves as the primary engineering interface for customers and internal stakeholders, driving execution across complex embedded software development programs while ensuring alignment on technical, programmatic, and business objectives. This leader will combine product line ownership, project execution, and technical leadership to guide internal software teams and global suppliers through the full embedded software lifecycle, including development, integration, verification, and DO-178C certification. The role requires strong experience in program execution, cross-functional collaboration, and reusable product line strategy in a highly regulated aerospace environment. Initially, this position will lead Platform and Test Software efforts for the KC-46 Flight Management Computer (FMC) Refresh and C-130J FMC Refresh programs. With additional military avionics refresh programs expected to follow, a key part of this role will be to shape, mature, and evolve the ACE product line roadmap to enable scalability, reuse, and efficient execution across future programs. The location for this position is Grand Rapids, MI on at least a hybrid basis (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday in office) : An extensive corporate relocation package is also available for eligible candidates.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead distributed software engineering teams across GE Aerospace and external suppliers in the development of Platform Software products.


• Serve as the primary engineering point of contact for customers and internal stakeholders across software-related program activities.


• Own and evolve the ACE product line roadmap, ensuring common assets, architecture, and reuse strategies support current and future military refresh programs.


• Drive program execution across schedule, cost, technical scope, risk, and quality commitments.


• Coordinate closely with cross-functional partners including Systems, Hardware, Safety, Security, Quality, Certification, Sourcing, and Program Management.


• Provide technical oversight and leadership across the full software lifecycle, including requirements, design, implementation, verification, validation, and certification.


• Lead supplier and subcontractor coordination to ensure alignment, execution rigor, and delivery performance.


• Provide regular status, metrics, and risk visibility to leadership and stakeholders.


• Mentor sub-team leads and support development of technical and execution capability across the broader team.


• Partner with engineering managers to define staffing, technology, product reuse, and process improvement strategies.


• Champion continuous improvement and product line engineering practices to improve efficiency, standardization, and long-term platform value.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline from an accredited university or college.


• Minimum of 10 years of experience in embedded real-time systems and software development.


• Minimum of 10 years of experience leading software engineering execution through the full development lifecycle.


• Demonstrated experience managing complex technical projects involving cross-functional and multi-site teams.


• Strong experience providing technical leadership in embedded software environments.


• Ability to work effectively with customers, internal stakeholders, and suppliers in a highly regulated development setting.


• This position requires U.S. citizenship status.

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree in an engineering-related field from an accredited university or college.


• Experience leading embedded software efforts in aerospace, avionics, or other safety-critical industries.


• Experience with DO-178B/C avionics software development and certification, with familiarity in DO-254, DO-297, and ARP4754.


• Strong understanding of Product Line Engineering (PLE) principles and tools, particularly in environments requiring reuse across multiple related programs.


• Familiarity with Earned Value Management (EVM), Activity Based Management, and Agile Scrum methods.


• Demonstrated ability to lead global and virtual teams and coordinate large-scale software development efforts.


• Knowledge of real-time operating systems, processing platforms, networking products, and multi-core processor architectures.


• Expertise with ARINC-653 Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA)-based operating systems.


• Familiarity with Flight Management Computer (FMC) systems and avionics test software environments.


• Experience applying Lean principles in a software engineering environment.


• PMP certification is a plus.

Additional Information

Location: Grand Rapids, MI Travel: Up to 10% annually to customer, GE Aerospace, and supplier sites

At GE Aerospace, we have a relentless dedication to the future of safe and more sustainable flight and believe in our talented people to make it happen. Here, you will have the opportunity to work on really cool things with really smart and collaborative people. Together, we will mobilize a new era of growth in aerospace and defense. Where others stop, we accelerate.

The base pay range for this position is $130,000.00 - $173,000.00 USD Annually.

The specific pay offered may be influenced by a variety of factors, including the candidate's experience, education, and skill set.

This position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus based on a percentage of your base salary/ commission based on the plan.

This posting is expected to close on 10/31/26.

GE Aerospace offers comprehensive benefits and programs to support your health and, along with programs like HealthAhead, your physical, emotional, financial and social wellbeing.

• Healthcare benefits include medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; access to a Health Coach from GE Aerospace; and the Employee Assistance Program, which provides 24/7 confidential assessment, counseling and referral services.


• Retirement benefits include the GE Aerospace Retirement Savings Plan, a 401(k) savings plan with company matching contributions and company retirement contributions, as well as access to Fidelity resources and planning consultants.


• Other benefits include tuition assistance, adoption assistance, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and paid time-off for vacation or illness.


• Relocation Assistance Provided: Yes

GE Aerospace (General Electric Company or the Company) and its affiliates each sponsor certain employee benefit plans or programs (i.e., is a "Sponsor"). Each Sponsor reserves the right to terminate, amend, suspend, replace or modify its benefit plans and programs at any time and for any reason, in its sole discretion. No individual has a vested right to any benefit under a Sponsor’s welfare benefit plan or program.

This document does not create a contract of employment with any individual.

This role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information. Therefore, employment will be contingent upon the ability to prove that you meet the status of a U.S. Person as one of the following: U.S. lawful permanent resident, U.S. Citizen, have been granted asylee or refugee status (i.e., a protected individual under the Immigration and Naturalization Act, 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)).

GE Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

GE Aerospace will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening.

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable). Employees may also be subject to random and reasonable-suspicion drug and alcohol testing.

At GE Aerospace, we invent the future of flight, lift people up, and bring them home safely. We are a world-leading provider of jet engines, components, and integrated systems for commercial and military aircraft. At GE Aerospace, respect for people is core to our culture and commitment to FLIGHT DECK, our proprietary lean operating model. We attract, develop, and retain industry-leading talent from all backgrounds and cultivate communities where people are respected and empowered to reach their fullest potential. For the people of GE Aerospace, their work isn't just a job. It's their passion and purpose. We work and win as one team, accountable to each other and our customers, and we are always finding a better way to climb higher together. We were meant to fly.