Chief Systems Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Onsite Requirement:
This role is based 100% onsite in Phoenix, Arizona . Regular, full‑time in‑office presence is required. Remote or hybrid work is not available for this position.

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 Surveillance portfolio includes ADS‑B, Mode S transponders, Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS), 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—from requirements and certification through production and in‑service support.

Chief Systems Engineer – Surveillance

Acron Aviation is seeking an experienced Chief Systems Engineer to lead product and technology initiatives within the Surveillance product line. This role is responsible for defining and driving the technology strategy, shaping system architectures, and ensuring technical excellence across development programs.

The Chief Systems Engineer leads technology roadmap development, coordinates technical pursuits, supports R&D investment planning, and evaluates the R&D portfolio to identify technology discriminators and capability gaps. This role serves as the technical approver for major product development design reviews and leads root cause investigations for significant technical issues. Close collaboration with engineering leadership, program management, and customers is central to success in this role.

• Lead identification, development, and execution of Surveillance technology roadmaps
• Maintain awareness of disruptive technologies, emerging trends, innovation opportunities, and competitive landscapes
• Coordinate engineering pursuit activities including solution architectures, risk mitigation plans, and technical estimates
• Develop top‑level system specifications and manage requirements flow‑down to lower‑level specifications
• Develop Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) and system use cases
• Partner with business and engineering leadership to align technology strategy with business priorities and growth opportunities
• Establish initial design requirements and guide risk‑reduction activities to ensure timely, high‑quality, compliant product designs
• Ensure system designs are traceable to customer, regulatory, and industry requirements
• Work directly with customers, operators, and partners to define requirements and develop competitive technical solutions
• Serve as technical authority and approver for product design reviews and major engineering decisions
• Lead root cause investigations and corrective action strategy for system‑level issues

Expertise in one or more of the following surveillance domains is required:

• Transponder Systems: Mode S and Mode C design, test, and evaluation
• ADS‑B Systems and Applications: requirements definition, modeling, test, evaluation, and qualification
• Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS): requirements definition, modeling, test, evaluation, and qualification
• Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (TAWS): requirements definition, modeling, test, evaluation, qualification, and database management

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM‑related field with a minimum of 12 years of experience in an aviation product development environment, or a graduate degree with a minimum of 10 years of related experience
• Demonstrated experience in technology management, strategy development, and driving innovation aligned with business growth objectives
• Experience conducting independent technology development reviews and technical assessments
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to develop data‑driven conclusions and recommendations
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Highly collaborative team player with strong critical‑thinking skills
• Self‑motivated, results‑driven professional requiring limited direction
• Experience with R&D portfolio management and technology road‑mapping for complex hardware/software systems
• U.S. citizenship required

• Strong project and technical leadership skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Experience with intellectual property development and management
• Operational experience within the National Airspace System (e.g., pilot, air traffic control, or related roles)
• Knowledge of aerospace regulatory and development standards, including 14 CFR, ARP4754A/B, DO‑178B/C, DO‑160, and DO‑254

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. 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.