Lead, Software Engineering
Acron Aviation · Greater Phoenix Area
- On site
- Full-time
- $150,000 / year
- Greater Phoenix Area
Email the hiring manager to get a response.
Get their verified email + an intro that's ready to send.
Subject: Interested in the Lead, Software Engineering role at Acron Aviation
Hi Riley — I came across the Lead, Software Engineering opening and wanted to reach out directly. I've spent the last few years doing exactly this kind of work, and Acron Aviation stood out because…
✎ Personalized to your résumé after sign-up.
- ✓ Verified email of the hiring manager
- ✓ Intro email personalized to your résumé
- ✓ $9/mo = unlimited — any job link
Secure checkout · cancel anytime
Job highlights
- Lead avionics software engineers in a regulated environment.
- Combine people leadership with hands-on technical contribution.
- Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams.
- Drive AI and automation integration in development.
- Ensure compliance with safety-critical standards.
About the role
Lead Software Engineer - Acron Aviation (Avionics – Surveillance)
Acron Aviation designs, engineers, and manufactures certified avionics systems that support safety‑critical flight operations across commercial and military aviation. Our Surveillance product line develops and sustains systems for aircraft awareness, collision avoidance, and airspace interoperability. This includes ADS‑B, Mode S transponders, traffic collision avoidance systems, and integrated surveillance solutions. The work is performed in highly regulated environments, requiring deep expertise across systems, hardware, software, and RF throughout the product lifecycle.
Position Summary
This dual‑role position combines front‑line people leadership with hands‑on technical leadership within the Surveillance product line. You will lead and develop a team of avionics software engineers while also serving as a technical lead, contributing directly to engineering development projects. You will be the primary interface to engineering project leadership and program management, collaborating closely with systems, electrical, mechanical, and manufacturing engineering teams. You will own the technical execution and quality of assigned software deliverables, partnering with Project Leads to ensure alignment across schedule, integration, and cross‑functional execution for surveillance, transponder, RF, and sensor‑based avionics systems.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and coordinate software engineering execution for Surveillance development programs in a dynamic, regulated environment.
- Provide front‑line people leadership, including coaching, mentoring, and performance support for software engineers.
- Partner with Product Owners, Project Leads, and Systems Engineering to manage priorities, dependencies, and delivery commitments.
- Actively identify and remove execution impediments to drive predictable delivery aligned with program milestones.
- Track and communicate delivery metrics, including plan versus actuals, throughput, and risk burndown.
- Review engineering outputs and provide direction to ensure compliance with defined processes and standards.
- Plan and establish goals and objectives with direct impact on short‑term operational results within the department.
- Drive continuous improvement in processes, systems, and development practices.
- Influence and lead the integration of automation and Artificial Intelligence into the software development lifecycle, focusing on measurable improvements to cycle time, quality, and compliance, with appropriate guardrails for DO‑178 and safety‑critical development environments.
- Communicate, interpret, and gain alignment on policies, practices, and engineering processes across teams.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
- 9+ years of experience developing real‑time embedded software.
- Minimum of 4 years of experience leading or coordinating a technical team.
- Practical experience leading execution of processes, projects, and technical work within a software engineering team.
- Strong written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills.
- Action‑oriented, results‑driven mindset with strong critical‑thinking and root‑cause analysis skills.
Highly Desired
- Experience with DO‑178 development in safety‑critical avionics environments.
- Experience developing software in the C programming language.
- Knowledge of engineering design standards applicable to commercial aviation.
Preferred Additional Skills
- Experience with real‑time operating systems such as Green Hills, VxWorks, or CentOS.
- Experience with C++, Python, Visual Basic, or Pascal.
- Linux development experience.
- Experience with configuration management and change control tools (e.g., Git, Bitbucket, ClearCase, Subversion, ClearQuest).
- Experience using requirements management tools such as DOORS.
- Experience working within Agile software development lifecycles.
- Exposure to DevOps practices, including Continuous Integration and Continuous Testing.
- Experience with Jenkins.
- Experience introducing emerging AI tools, including prompt engineering, into rigorous safety‑critical environments.
- Servant‑leadership approach to managing and developing software engineers.
Equal Opportunity Statement: Acron Aviation is proud to be an Affirmative 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.
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.
Key skills/competency
- Software Engineering Leadership
- Real-time Embedded Software Development
- DO-178 Development
- C Programming Language
- Avionics Systems
- Agile Software Development
- DevOps Practices
- Configuration Management
- Systems Engineering
- Team Leadership
Skills & topics
- Lead Software Engineer
- Software Engineering
- Avionics
- Surveillance Systems
- Embedded Software
- Real-time Systems
- DO-178
- C Programming
- Team Leadership
- Phoenix Jobs
- Aerospace Engineering
- Safety-Critical Systems
- AI in Development
- DevOps
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight experience in real-time embedded software, team leadership, and DO-178 development to match Acron Aviation's requirements.
- Showcase technical skills: Emphasize proficiency in C programming, RTOS, and configuration management tools relevant to avionics.
- Demonstrate leadership: Provide examples of coaching, mentoring, and driving execution within software engineering teams.
- Research Acron Aviation: Understand their work in avionics surveillance and commitment to safety-critical operations.
- Prepare for interviews: Be ready to discuss your approach to problem-solving, root-cause analysis, and leading development projects.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What are the key technical skills for the Lead Software Engineer role at Acron Aviation?
- The Lead Software Engineer role at Acron Aviation requires a strong background in real-time embedded software development, ideally with 9+ years of experience. Proficiency in C programming, experience with real-time operating systems (like Green Hills or VxWorks), and knowledge of configuration management tools (Git, Bitbucket) are highly valued. Experience with DO-178 development in safety-critical avionics environments is also a significant advantage.
- What kind of leadership experience is Acron Aviation looking for in a Lead Software Engineer?
- Acron Aviation seeks a Lead Software Engineer with at least 4 years of experience leading or coordinating a technical team. This includes providing front-line people leadership, coaching, mentoring, and performance support. The ideal candidate will have practical experience leading the execution of processes, projects, and technical work within a software engineering team, demonstrating an action-oriented and results-driven mindset.
- Is this Lead Software Engineer position remote, hybrid, or onsite at Acron Aviation?
- This Lead Software Engineer position at Acron Aviation is strictly 100% onsite in Phoenix, Arizona. Regular, full-time in-office presence is required, and remote or hybrid work arrangements are not available for this specific role.
- What is the primary focus of the Surveillance product line at Acron Aviation?
- The Surveillance product line at Acron Aviation focuses on developing and sustaining systems that enhance aircraft awareness, collision avoidance, and airspace interoperability. Their portfolio includes ADS‑B, Mode S transponders, traffic collision avoidance systems, and integrated surveillance solutions for various aviation platforms.
- How important is experience with DO-178 development for this role?
- Experience with DO-178 development in safety-critical avionics environments is highly desired for the Lead Software Engineer position at Acron Aviation. Given that Acron Aviation designs systems for safety-critical flight operations in regulated environments, a strong understanding and practical experience with DO-178 standards are crucial for ensuring compliance and quality.
- What are the opportunities for integrating AI and automation in this role?
- The Lead Software Engineer is expected to influence and lead the integration of automation and Artificial Intelligence into the software development lifecycle. The focus will be on achieving measurable improvements in cycle time, quality, and compliance, while maintaining appropriate guardrails for DO-178 and safety-critical development environments. This includes exploring emerging AI tools and prompt engineering.