Sr. Software Engineering Functional Lead

Acron Aviation; Phoenix, Northern (AZ, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Acron Aviation in Phoenix, AZ is seeking a Senior Software Engineering Functional Lead to own software delivery for Surveillance avionics. You will lead a team of software engineers across real-time embedded systems, coordinate with project management and systems engineering, and interface with hardware, RF, and sensors to sustain certified flight-critical software.

The role emphasizes leadership, process discipline, and the advancement of AI and automation within DO-178 safety-critical

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience developing real time embedded software.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience leading a technical team.
• Experience with DO-178 development is highly desired.

Responsibilities

• Lead software engineering tasks for Surveillance development projects and coordinate with offshore engineers.
• Partner with Product Owners, Project Leads, and Systems Engineering to manage priorities, dependencies, and commitments.
• Actively remove impediments and drive predictable execution aligned with program milestones.
• Track and communicate delivery metrics and ensure compliance with processes.
• Influence and drive incorporation of AI and automation while maintaining safety-critical standards (DO‑178).

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Problem-solving

Teamwork

Self-starting

Education

BS in CS/EE or equivalent

Tools

DOORS

Git

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, 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, and RF throughout the full product lifecycle.

As an Sr. Software Engineering Functional Lead, you are in a dual-role lead position, involving both front-line people leadership of a team of avionics software engineers and supporting performance of individual productive work of software engineers on a program. Acron Aviation is seeking a top-notch influencer, motivator, and leader who can grow, guide and coordinate a team of software engineers while advancing their own career as a software engineering lead for engineering development projects. The applicant will be the primary focal serving as the interface to the engineering project lead and program management team while also interacting with other engineering functions on projects involving mechanical, electrical, and systems engineering in planning, designing, manufacturing, and testing of avionics Transponders, RF and Sensor-based systems.

The Software Engineering Functional Lead owns the technical execution and quality of software deliverables within their domain, while partnering with Project Leads on schedule, integration, and cross‑functional coordination.

Essential Functions:

• Accountable for software engineering tasks for Surveillance development projects in a dynamic environment. This will include coordination with offshore engineers with our partner suppliers.
• Partner with Product Owners, Project Leads, and Systems Engineering to manage priorities, dependencies, and commitments
• Actively remove impediments and drive predictable execution aligned with program milestones
• Track and communicate delivery metrics (e.g., plan vs actuals, throughput, risk burndown)
• Reviews outputs and provides direction on process compliance aspects
• Makes moderate to substantial improvements to processes, systems, and solutions. Plans and establishes goals and objectives for a team with direct impact on the short-term operational results for the department.
• Influence and drive incorporation of Artificial Intelligence and increase the utilization of automation tools, methodologies in the existing software engineering development environment, processes and lifecycle artifacts seeking:
  • Measurable outcomes (cycle time, quality, compliance)
  • Guardrails for DO‑178 / safety‑critical contexts
  • Explains, interprets, and gains cooperation on policies, practices, and processes to others within the organization.

Basic Qualifications:

• U.S. citizen
• BS Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or equivalent fields required
• 6+ years of experience developing real time embedded software
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience leading a technical team
• Requires practical knowledge in leading and managing the execution of processes, projects, tactics, and employees within a team
• Previous experience with DO-178 development is highly desired
• Experience developing with C programming language a plus
• Knowledge of engineering design standards for commercial aviation industry
• Good written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and team‑working skills required
• Action oriented, results driven, high energy, self‑starter, innovative with new approaches to design work, influential with peers and demonstrate critical thinking skills to drive to root cause

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Real Time Operating Systems such as Green Hills, VxWorks or CentOS.
• Experience with C++, Python, Visual Basic, Pascal
• Linux
• Experience with Configuration Management and Change Control Tools (such as Git, Bitbucket, ClearCase, Subversion, ClearQuest)
• Experience with Requirement Management tools such as DOORS
• Experience with Agile software development lifecycle
• Experience with emerging AI tools, including prompt engineering and introducing these concepts into existing rigorous safety critical software development environments
• Experience with DevOps concepts and implementations, especially with Continuous Integration and Continuous Testing aspects
• Experience with Jenkins is a plus
• Experience managing software engineers with a servant leadership mindset

Equal Opportunity Statement

Acron Aviation is proud to be an Affimative 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.