Systems Engineering Architect

Aerospace is at a turning point — costs are rising, supply chains are strained, and old ways of building can’t keep up. At Neon Aero, we’re breaking that mold. We move fast, think big, and combine start-up agility with aerospace expertise to design, build, and scale aircraft in ways the industry has never seen. Our team leverages automation, AI-driven tools, and a fully connected digital backbone to accelerate innovation and reduce barriers to production.

Here, you won’t just take a job — you’ll help reinvent how the world flies. If you’re ready to solve complex problems, push technology further, and work alongside some of the brightest minds in aerospace, this is your chance to make a real impact.

Neon is building the next generation of aerospace systems as a Tier-1 supplier, with a focus on being AI-native, digitally integrated, and compliance-ready from day one. Our mission is to deliver aerospace hardware and systems with speed, rigor, and first-pass quality by leveraging model-based engineering, integrated digital thread, and advanced manufacturing practices.

The Systems Engineering Architect will establish Neon’s requirements and architecture management frameworks, ensuring compliance with ARP4754A, DO-160, and other aerospace standards. This role is responsible for designing and governing the integration of requirements management with model-based systems engineering, and ensuring seamless traceability through the PLM system and the broader digital engineering ecosystem.

As the first senior hire in the Systems Engineering team, the Systems Engineering Architect will play a critical role in defining Neon’s system development process, building out governance, and mentoring future systems engineers.

Why This Role Matters: 

• Requirements Governance
  • Develop the processes, documentation, and tooling to establish a system of record for requirements, including authoring, baselining, review/approval workflows, and certification outputs.
  • Define governance and work instructions for the integration of requirements between requirements management, MBSE, and PLM systems
  • Implement processes that ensure Neon maintains compliance with ARP4754A, ARP476, DO-178, DO-254, and other applicable aerospace standards.
• Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
  • Work with the digital engineering team to stand up Neon's MBSE environment
  • Establish system architecture frameworks, modeling conventions, and decomposition strategies.
  • Define the process for and oversee the execution of linking requirements from our requirements management tool to SysML elements for allocation, trade studies, and analytical rigor.
  • Ensure models remain aligned with program baselines and certification needs.
• Digital Thread & Traceability
  • Drive ent-to-end traceability across requirements management, MBSE, and PLM tools to connect requirements, design, analysis, and verification evidence. 
  • Define and enact best practices for requirements-to-test traceability and model validation.
• Leadership & Mentorship
  • Serve as Neon's subject matter expert in requirements management and MBSE.
  • Mentor junior systems engineers and guide functional engineering teams in adopting model-based practices in support of traditional requirements management philosophies. 
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with design, test, and certification teams to ensure alignment. 

What you'll Bring: 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field; equivalent professional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in aerospace or complex systems development, with at least 3 years in MBSE/requirements leadership.
• Deep expertise in ARP4754A requirements flow-down and verification processes.
• Hands-on experience with SysML and requirements management tools (both as a user and administrator).
• Demonstrated success implementing digital thread traceability across RM/MBSE/PLM/ALM toolchains.
• Strong understanding of certification standards DO-160, DO-178, and DO-254.

Why Join Us:

• Work alongside elite engineering talent and innovators from across aerospace and tech.
• Build the foundations of a digital-first aerospace company.
• Work at the cutting edge of model-based engineering and digital thread integration.
• Shape Neon's systems engineering discipline and grow into a senior leadership role as the company scales.
• Competitive compensation - including equity participation, growth opportunities, and full benefits (health, dental, vision, 401k) designed to support you in and out of work

Neon Aero, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.

We believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

All final candidates must successfully complete a background check and drug screening as a condition of employment.

At this time, Neon Aero and its divisions are not accepting unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters or staffing agencies.