Full Time Reg
Grand Rapids, MI, US
Onsite Requirement:
This role requires a regular on-site presence in Grand Rapids, MI. We follow the 9/80 on-site schedule, and remote or hybrid work is not available for this position.
About Acron Aviation (Avionics - Recorders):
Acron Aviation designs, engineers, and manufactures certified avionics systems that support safety-critical flight operations across commercial and military aviation. Within Avionics, the Recorders product line develops and sustains cockpit voice recorders, flight data recorders, and integrated data acquisition systems that enable regulatory compliance, safety insight, and operational performance across global fleets. These systems are deployed across commercial, military, and rotorcraft platforms and require deep expertise across systems, hardware, software, and lifecycle sustainment in highly regulated environments.
Job Title
Project Engineer / Engineering Project Leader - Recorders
Position Summary
The Project Engineer / Engineering Project Leader is responsible for managing the technical execution of small programs, including minor obsolescence updates and incremental development efforts on existing products. These programs are scoped such that they do not require a dedicated Engineering Project Manager and provide an opportunity to build project leadership capability while maintaining strong technical ownership.
This role combines project leadership and systems engineering responsibility, serving as both the Engineering Project Lead and Systems Engineering Lead. The role spans multiple phases of the product lifecycle, including pursuit, development, production, and post-delivery support. The position requires leading engineering execution, coordinating cross-functional teams, managing resources through a matrix structure, and ensuring delivery of technical solutions aligned to cost, schedule, and performance objectives.
Key Responsibilities
Partner with the Program Manager to define and achieve technical, schedule, and cost objectives
Engage cross-functional leadership to secure necessary resources and align program priorities with broader organizational demands
Interface directly with customers to interpret technical and contractual requirements, anticipate needs, and drive resolution of issues
Support proposal development by defining work breakdown structures (WBS), basis of estimates (BOEs), integrated master schedules (IMS), and identifying risks and opportunities
Lead requirements definition, verification, and management of the technical baseline
Drive system architecture, trade studies, detailed design, integration, testing, and qualification activities
Support transition to production and ensure readiness for successful entry into service
Serve as the engineering focal point for technical execution, decision-making, and issue resolution
Direct and coordinate engineering team activities within a matrix structure
Maintain clear, consistent communication with program leadership, engineering teams, suppliers, and customers
Support design-to-cost and design-for-manufacturability initiatives in collaboration with engineering and production teams
Apply continuous improvement methods to enhance engineering and production efficiency
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Engineering with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, or a graduate degree with a minimum of 4 years of related experience
Practical knowledge of project management principles, including Earned Value Management and risk/scope management
Strong systems thinking mindset with multidisciplinary engineering experience
Experience leading or coordinating technical teams and managing engineering deliverables
Preferred Additional Skills
Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills
Demonstrated leadership and collaboration within multidisciplinary engineering teams
Experience working in a continuous improvement environment
Working knowledge of resource-loaded scheduling and proficiency with Microsoft Project
Experience with DO-178, DO-254, and DO-160 development environments
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. 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
