Director of Engineering

Director of Engineering – AI, Software & Systems Engineering

Tucson, AZ (Onsite) | Aerospace & Avionics Lead AI, Software, Systems Engineering & Image Processing Shape the Technology Behind the Next Generation of Flight

Build What Comes Next in Aviation

Most engineering leaders never get the opportunity to shape technologies designed to operate in mission-critical environments at 30,000+ feet.

At Universal Avionics, you will!

We're looking for a Director of Engineering who can bring together advanced technology, strong technical leadership, and the realities of aircraft integration. You'll lead talented multidisciplinary teams, influence the direction of future products, and help turn emerging ideas in AI, software, computer vision, and systems engineering into reliable technologies built for real-world aviation.

The Opportunity

Universal Avionics develops advanced avionics, enhanced vision systems, and intelligent cockpit technologies designed to improve aviation safety, situational awareness, and the future flight experience.

As Director of Engineering – AI, Software & Systems Engineering, you'll lead a multidisciplinary organization at the center of some of our most advanced technology initiatives. Your teams will work across artificial intelligence and machine learning, software, systems engineering, computer vision, image processing, video analytics, and aircraft-level integration.

This role isn't about being the deepest technical expert in every discipline. It's about having the technical judgment to ask the right questions, challenge assumptions, evaluate competing approaches, and help talented engineers make strong architecture and design decisions.

You'll also play a critical role in building the organization itself-developing technical leaders, strengthening engineering practices, shaping capabilities for the future, and creating an environment where innovation and disciplined execution reinforce one another.

What You'll Do

• Set and communicate technical direction across AI/ML, software, systems engineering, computer vision, and image processing
• Guide architecture and complex engineering decisions while balancing innovation with aircraft constraints, reliability, safety, and business priorities
• Lead the integration of software, hardware, sensors, interfaces, and aircraft-level systems into cohesive, reliable solutions
• Identify technical risks early and help teams make thoughtful, evidence-based tradeoffs
• Build, develop, and retain a high-performing multidisciplinary engineering organization
• Coach engineering managers, technical leaders, engineers, and emerging talent while creating clear expectations and accountability
• Strengthen engineering practices that improve technical quality, predictability, collaboration, and execution
• Partner across Product, Program Management, Certification, Operations, and customer-facing teams to move technologies from advanced concepts toward aircraft-ready solutions
• Represent Engineering with senior leadership and translate complex technical topics into clear business, program, and customer implications
• Align engineering talent, capacity, and investment with future product strategy and customer commitments

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a technical leader who can operate comfortably at the intersection of technology, people, aviation, and execution.

You'll bring:

• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering organizations and developing strong technical leaders
• Relevant experience with aviation, avionics, aircraft systems, or airborne product development
• Practical technical depth across areas such as AI/ML, software engineering, systems engineering, computer vision, or image processing
• The ability to guide system architecture, integration strategy, and complex technical decision-making
• Experience building teams, developing talent, establishing accountability, and evolving organizational capabilities
• Strong understanding of how hardware, software, sensors, interfaces, and aircraft-level systems come together
• Ability to balance emerging technology and innovation with technical rigor, reliability, customer needs, and execution
• Executive-level communication skills with the ability to influence both highly technical teams and senior business stakeholders
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field

An advanced technical degree is preferred. Experience with commercial or military aviation products is strongly preferred.

Knowledge of FAA requirements and aviation development/certification frameworks such as DO-178C, DO-254, and ARP4754A is a strong advantage, but not required.

Why Employees Love Working Here

• Shape technologies that have a direct connection to real-world aviation
• Lead teams working at the intersection of AI, computer vision, software, and advanced avionics
• Influence both near-term product execution and long-term technical strategy
• Work with complex engineering challenges where safety, reliability, and performance truly matter
• Build and develop an engineering organization—not simply manage one
• Collaborate directly with technical leaders, business leadership, programs, and customers
• Help transform emerging technologies into solutions designed for demanding aircraft environments

What Success Looks Like

• A clear technical strategy that connects advanced technology investments to product and business priorities
• Strong engineering teams with capable leaders, clear accountability, and a culture of technical excellence
• Better alignment and execution across AI, software, systems, hardware, and aircraft integration
• Complex technical decisions are made thoughtfully, with risks and tradeoffs understood early
• Engineering delivers with greater quality, predictability, and technical rigor
• Emerging technologies successfully progress toward reliable, aircraft-ready solutions
• Engineering priorities, resources, and capabilities remain aligned with customer commitments and the company's future product strategy
• You become a trusted technical and organizational leader across the business

Our Mindset & Core Values

Innovation We advance avionics technology through creative engineering and continuous improvement.

Excellence We hold ourselves to high standards in quality, reliability, and execution.

Resilience We solve complex technical challenges in demanding aerospace environments.

"Yes, I Can" Ownership We value leaders who are proactive, collaborative, adaptable, and solutions-oriented-and who create that same sense of ownership within their teams.

Benefits & Perks

Universal Avionics offers a competitive total rewards package designed to support our employees and their families, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with safe harbor match within 60 days
• 9/80 work schedule option
• Every other Friday off
• Vacation, sick time, and paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement
• Wellness and employee assistance programs
• And more

Work Environment

This is an onsite leadership role based in Tucson, Arizona, where close collaboration with engineering teams, laboratories, business leaders, and cross-functional partners is essential to the work.

Occasional travel may be required to support customers, company locations, industry events, or other business priorities.

Ready to Build What's Next in Aerospace?

If you're energized by advanced technology, complex engineering challenges, and the opportunity to build and lead an exceptional technical organization, we want to hear from you.

Join Universal Avionics and help shape the teams, technologies, and engineering capabilities advancing the future of flight.