Surveillance Systems Lead Engineer
- Salary
- $150k - $180k annually
- Level
- Lead
Not stated in the posting: work type, visa.
Open. First seen 2 October 2026.
About the role
Greenfield Engineering, a Saalex Company is seeking a Surveillance Systems Lead Engineer in Patuxent River, MD. The Surveillance Systems Lead Engineer serves as the lead engineer and technical authority for airborne surveillance systems, overseeing integration, certification, and compliance across Naval Aviation platforms. Leads engineering efforts to ensure systems are safe, interoperable, and compliant with evolving airspace requirements while proactively managing certification risks.
Position Type: Full-Time
Salary: $150k-$180k annually (depending on experience)
Work Location: Hybrid remote/in-office. (see onsite requirements below)
**On-site Requirements: This position requires the ability to work onsite at Patuxent River, MD 60%+ of the time.
Essential Functions:
- Technical Leadership
- Serve as branch technical authority for airborne surveillance systems
- Establish engineering processes, standards, and best practices
- Provide oversight and technical direction to surveillance engineering team
- Review engineering analyses, certification artifacts, and technical strategies
- Certification & Compliance
- Lead certification activities for ADS-B (Out/In), Mode S, and future surveillance technologies
- Support TCAS, ACAS, and collision avoidance system certification efforts
- Conduct Airworthiness Reviews, Flight Clearances, and Airworthiness Certification Plans
- Support ANCTR reviews, Airworthiness Technical Assessments, and certification boards
- Systems Engineering & Integration
- Evaluate surveillance architectures, interfaces, and system designs
- Assess interoperability with Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems
- Review requirements, design documentation, test procedures, and verification data
- Support lifecycle integration across multiple aircraft platforms
- Technical Assessment & Risk Management
- Conduct performance assessments and interoperability evaluations
- Identify system risks and support hazard analyses and SSRAs
- Develop and implement mitigation strategies
- Test & Evaluation
- Support laboratory, ground, and flight testing activities
- Evaluate compliance evidence and system performance outcomes
- Enterprise Coordination
- Collaborate with PMAs, CHENGs, TWHs, FAA, industry partners, and international stakeholders
- Ensure alignment with regulatory and operational requirements across organizations
- Other duties as assigned or required
Requirements
Required:
- Demonstrated experience with airborne surveillance systems, including:
- ADS-B Out / ADS-B In
- Mode S Transponders (EHS / ELS)
- TCAS, TCAS II, and ACAS systems
- Cooperative surveillance and air traffic surveillance architectures
- Strong knowledge of certification standards and regulatory frameworks, including:
- RTCA DO-260, DO-181, DO-185, DO-300, DO-385
- FAA Advisory Circulars (AC 20-165, AC 20-172)
- ICAO Annex 10 and international surveillance requirements
- NAVAIR airworthiness policies and processes
- Experience in:
- Systems engineering and integration
- Airworthiness certification and compliance processes
- Requirements management, verification, and validation
- Risk management, hazard analysis, and SSRAs
- Test and evaluation methodologies
- Proven ability to lead technical teams and provide engineering oversight across multiple programs or platforms
Desired:
- Experience supporting Naval Aviation or DoD aviation programs
- Familiarity with civil/military surveillance interoperability and IFF systems (Mode A/C, Mode S, military interfaces)
- Experience with advanced or emerging surveillance technologies (e.g., ACAS Xa/Xo, future CNS/ATM systems)
- Prior involvement in certification boards, ANCTR processes, or airspace integration initiatives
- Experience coordinating with FAA, international regulators, and industry stakeholders
- Strong background in oceanic and international airspace operations
Education/Years of Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field required and 3+ years direct Surveillance experience, and 10+ years engineering experience.
- Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in a relevant discipline is preferred
Security Clearance:
Active Secret clearance required. Requirements to obtain a clearance include US Citizenship, security investigation, etc.
Saalex's standard text
Benefits
- Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
- Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
- Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
- Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
- Short Term & Long Term Disability
- Training & Development
- Wellness Resources
- Stock Option Plan
What this role asks for
93% of this description is written for the role. The rest is Saalex's standard text, folded away below.
Read against Saalex's other open postings on this site.
The team: Greenfield Openings HIRES STEADILY
This role is one of 23 open in Greenfield Openings. 1 was posted in the last 30 days and the oldest in March: a team that hires all year rather than one being built.
WHAT THE TEAM WORKS WITH, ACROSS ITS POSTINGS
C++ (5 of 23), Java (5 of 23), Python (4 of 23), C (2 of 23)
OTHER ROLES ON THIS TEAM
- Journeyman Software Developer posted Sep 30
- Avionics Integrated Product Team Lead posted Sep 11
- Cockpit Lead Systems Engineer posted Sep 9
- Senior Program Analyst posted Sep 1
- Mission Systems Program Analyst posted Sep 1
- Senior Financial Analyst posted Aug 27
- Mission Systems Test Engineer posted Aug 19
- Engineering Technician III posted Jul 17
- Junior Systems Administrator posted Jul 15
- Junior Software Developer posted Jun 29
- Junior Surveillance Systems Engineer posted Jun 25
- Senior Mission Planning Engineer posted Jun 25
- Mission Planning Engineer posted Jun 25
- Surveillance Systems Engineer posted Jun 25
- Data Integrity Engineer (Avionics Software/Data Analysis) posted Jun 25
- Junior Mission Planning Engineer posted Jun 25
- Senior Data Integrity Engineer (Avionics Software & Data Analysis) posted Jun 24
- Junior Data Integrity Engineer (Avionics Software & Data Analysis) posted Jun 24
- Communications Engineer posted May 21
- Senior Communications Engineer posted May 21
- Mission Systems Test Engineer posted May 21
- Junior Systems Administrator posted Mar 10
From the team and dates on Saalex's own job board.
Similar jobs
- Application/Systems Administrator at Saalex
Also at this company - Senior Engineer, Installations at Saalex
Also at this company - Senior Engineer, Test & Evaluation (T&E) at Saalex
Also at this company - Junior Systems Administrator at Saalex
Also at this company - Web Application Developer at Saalex
Also at this company - Telecommunications Engineer - DPRI / Range Systems at Saalex
Also at this company
Is this your posting and you want it taken down? Email info@careerholo.com.