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Surf Pilot Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Surf Pilot information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a surf pilot, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Surf Pilot, you need advanced ocean navigation, boat handling, and meteorological analysis skills, often backed by certifications in marine safety and piloting. Familiarity with GPS navigation systems, VHF radio communication, and weather tracking tools is typically required. Quick decision-making, calmness under pressure, and strong teamwork abilities are critical soft skills for success in unpredictable maritime environments. These competencies are crucial to ensure safe and efficient vessel guidance through challenging surf zones, protecting both crew and cargo.

What is the difference between Surf Pilot vs Surf Instructor?

AspectSurf PilotSurf Instructor
CertificationsRescue certifications, surf safety trainingCPR, surf coaching certifications
Work EnvironmentGuiding surf trips, operating surf boatsTeaching surf skills on beaches
Industry UsageTourism, adventure sports companiesSurf schools, resorts

While both roles involve surfing, a Surf Pilot primarily operates surf boats and guides surf trips, requiring safety and rescue certifications. A Surf Instructor focuses on teaching surfing techniques on beaches, often with coaching certifications. The roles differ in environment and responsibilities but are both essential in the surfing industry.

What is a surf pilot?

A Surf Pilot is a professional who guides ships through coastal waters with challenging surf conditions, especially where harbors or ports are difficult to access due to waves, currents, or shifting sandbars. Their expertise ensures vessels navigate safely through these areas, often boarding ships from small boats or even swimming through surf to reach them. Surf Pilots possess specialized knowledge of local maritime conditions and play a crucial role in preventing accidents and protecting both vessels and the environment. This role is vital in regions where standard pilot boarding methods are not possible due to rough seas.

What are some of the unique challenges surf pilots face when guiding ships through coastal waters?

Surf Pilots often encounter rapidly changing sea and weather conditions, especially when navigating vessels through surf zones and shallow coastal areas. These dynamic environments require quick decision-making, strong local knowledge, and constant communication with the ship's crew and shore-based teams. Pilots must remain vigilant for hidden sandbars, shifting currents, and unexpected obstacles, ensuring both vessel safety and efficient passage. Collaboration with tug operators and port authorities is also essential for managing risks and maintaining smooth operations.
What cities in Arizona are hiring for Surf Pilot jobs? Cities in Arizona with the most Surf Pilot job openings:
Infographic showing various Surf Pilot job openings in Arizona as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Lead Systems Engineer - ADS-B

Real Time Consulting, LLC

Phoenix, AZ

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago


Job description

REAL TIME CONSULTING (An RTCo Company)—POSITION DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Lead Systems Engineer ADS-B
ABOUT THE JOB: Seeking a Lead System Engineer for ADS-B In projects to play a critical role in the design, implementation, introduction, and certification of a new surface alerting safety function. We are looking for a candidate with strong project management skills and cutting-edge technical expertise. This role demands that you have the ability and desire to work across a variety of functions and teams to find solutions and be comfortable implementing them. You must be flexible, dynamic, and proactively communicate with your co-workers, management, and customers alike. Finally, you must excel at managing your time and prioritizing multiple requests and demands, while thriving in an environment where you enjoy making contributions that positively impact the company’s success.
Essential Functions for this position:
• Developing new system designs, writing system specifications, and supporting modeling development.
• Developing system-level models, creating and validating systems through fast-time simulations, and supporting modeling and testing efforts as needed.
• Developing system test procedures and test scripts, executing these tests, and analyzing results.
• Assisting with flight tests and analyzing results.
• Interfacing with customers, suppliers, and internal functional groups (project lead, software engineering, hardware engineering, program management, customer support, etc.).
• Help maintain and develop engineering processes.
• Assistance in the design, test, and maintenance of all products.
REQUIRED SKILLS:
  • Minimum of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related engineering discipline
  • Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 9 years of prior relevant experience, or a Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related experience. Preferably in the avionics industry
  • Extensive experience in systems engineering
  • Experience must include writing system requirements and system validation procedures
  • Experience with Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) using MATLAB/ Simulink
  • Knowledge of ARP-4754A and DO-178 processes
  • Experience scripting in Python
  • Good interpersonal skills and can work with multiple teams, and work directly with Acron customers
  • Demonstrates ability to take initiative to eliminate barriers and uses resources to ensure desired results
  • Ability to lead teams through conflict, clarify objectives, and develop consensus and buy-in as required
  • Ability to see the big picture and advocate integration of systems within the work group
  • Uses business knowledge to assist others in understanding business decisions and their impact
  • Fosters an environment that promotes creativity and innovation
  • Self-motivated with good communication skills
  • Able to work without appreciable management oversight and direction

PREFERRED SKILLS:
  • Knowledge of ADS-B In functionality and associated applications that support
  • Experience with avionics products (TCAS/ADS-B/SURF-A/displays/flight data recorders)
  • Operational experience within the National Airspace System (e.g., pilot, air traffic control, or related roles)
  • Experience with programming languages C or C++ is welcomed
  • Strong project and technical leadership skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
  • Experience with intellectual property development and management
 
ABOUT THE COMPANY:
Real Time Consulting (RTC) exists to partner outstanding engineering talent to support our clients’ success. Unsurpassed service is delivered to our clients by upholding responsibility, teamwork and quality. Our primary commitment is to help our clients.  Since 1997, RTC has been protecting and enhancing lives with safe, reliable, innovative solutions, providing full life-cycle design, development and testing of EMBEDDED ENGINEERING SYSTEMS and SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS with Program Management and Consulting Services. Our employees average 20+ years of versatile and accomplished expertise to our clients, driving continuous innovation forward. Employee’s innovative and analytical ideas are cultivated while maintaining the big picture vision in a fast-paced, changing environment. Our corporate values are to Uphold Responsibility, Support People, Promote Teamwork and Deliver Quality!
 
This position may require exposure to software, source code or technology that is subject to US export control laws and regulations (i.e., International Traffic in Arms Regulations or the Export Administration Regulations). To comply with these requirements, you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Departments of State or Commerce, as applicable.
 
RTCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with RTCo is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
To qualify for all positions with Real Time Companies, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and should not require now, or in the future, sponsorship for employment visa status.  Please be aware that Real Time Companies does not sponsor employment-based visas.  Additionally, certain positions with Real Time Companies that involve work with government entities may have more restrictive employment status requirements, such as U.S. citizenship, based on security clearance requirements or other governmental requirements.  Real Time Companies is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V.