Sr. Software Engineering Functional Lead
Leads a team of avionics software engineers developing safety-critical surveillance systems (TCAS, transponders, ADS-B) in Phoenix, AZ, blending people leadership with hands-on technical oversight of real-time embedded C development under DO-178 processes. Partners with project leads, systems engineering, and program management to drive delivery, process compliance, and AI/automation adoption.
- Compensation
- Not disclosed
- Location
- Phoenix, AZ
- Work setup
- Onsite
- Seniority
- Lead
- Employment
- Not specified
- Experience
- 2+ years
- Category
- Software engineering
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- U.S. citizen
- BS Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or equivalent fields
- 6+ years of experience developing real time embedded software
- Minimum of 2 years' experience leading a technical team
- Practical knowledge leading and managing execution of processes, projects, tactics, and employees within a team
- Knowledge of engineering design standards for commercial aviation industry
- Good written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and team-working skills
- Action oriented, results driven, self-starter with critical thinking to drive to root cause
Nice to have
- Previous experience with DO-178 development
- Experience developing with C programming language
- Experience with Real Time Operating Systems such as Green Hills, VxWorks or CentOS
- Experience with C++, Python, Visual Basic, Pascal
- Linux experience
- Experience with Configuration Management and Change Control Tools (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 in safety-critical environments
- Experience with DevOps concepts and implementations, especially Continuous Integration and Continuous Testing
- Experience with Jenkins
- Experience managing software engineers with a servant leadership mindset
Full 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)