Sr. Manager, Systems Engineering

Worker Type Regular Job Description Summary The Senior Manager, Systems Engineering is a technical and people leader responsible for driving systems engineering execution across the full product lifecycle for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and related aerospace/defense platforms. This role owns Systems Engineering and Integration & Test (I&T) execution and is accountable for requirements management, architecture and interface definition, technical planning, system integration, verification and validation, and customer-facing technical engagement. The position also supports airworthiness, system safety, and reliability objectives to ensure the product is technically sound, testable, and ready for fielding and production. This leader is responsible for building and leading a high-performing functional organization with the technical depth and execution discipline to support development, qualification, production, and sustainment in a competitive environment. Position Responsibilities Lead and manage a team of systems engineering and integration/test professionals, including staffing, workload planning, performance management, mentoring, and career development Own systems engineering execution from requirements development and decomposition through system integration, verification, validation, and transition to production Own I&T planning and execution, including integration readiness, test planning, procedure development, test conduct, data review, issue resolution, and reporting Manage requirements traceability, allocation, verification planning, and technical baseline evolution throughout the system development lifecycle Lead development of system-level artifacts such as requirements, interface definitions, technical plans, test plans, procedures, reports, and customer-facing technical presentations Coordinate across software, hardware, manufacturing, quality, reliability, safety, flight test, and program management teams to achieve cost, schedule, and technical objectives Support airworthiness, system safety, and reliability activities, including field test safety, hazard-related technical coordination, and reliability growth / issue closure as applicable Provide clear and timely status of technical progress, risks, issues, and mitigation plans to internal leadership and external customers Serve as a primary customer-facing technical representative for systems engineering matters, including reviews, status discussions, technical issue resolution, and execution alignment Support development planning and execution in coordination with program management, including schedule, resource, and technical performance considerations Ensure adherence to company processes, engineering discipline, and operational policies while driving practical, executable solutions Other duties as assigned Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience) Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Systems, Electrical, Computer, Aerospace, Mechanical, or related field) or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience 10+ years of progressive systems engineering experience, with at least 5 years of leadership or management experience Experience leading systems engineering activities across the product lifecycle, including requirements management, decomposition, traceability, integration, and V&V Experience owning or leading Integration & Test execution for complex aerospace, defense, embedded, or mission-critical systems Strong customer-facing skills, including the ability to lead technical discussions, present clearly to customers and leadership, and resolve issues across organizational boundaries Experience developing systems test plans, procedures, reports, and objective evidence packages Experience supporting system safety and field test safety activities Experience providing clear technical status, risk, and progress reporting to internal and external stakeholders Strong written and verbal communication skills, including concise technical documentation and professional presentations Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive execution to program deadlines Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies Master’s degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field Aerospace, defense, or UAS systems engineering experience strongly preferred Experience with EVMS or similar program execution frameworks, including technical status integration with cost and schedule performance Experience with Agile, SafeAgile or similar program execution frameworks, including technical status integration with cost and schedule performance Background in embedded systems development, integration, or test Experience with flight dynamics, flight sciences, flight controls integration, instrumented flight test vectors, or simulation/model development and analysis Experience supporting airworthiness, certification-related activities, or other regulated flight approval processes Experience supporting reliability activities such as FRACAS, root cause investigation, corrective action tracking, or reliability growth efforts Experience taking products from development or prototype phase into production Familiarity with mission systems, payload systems, imaging/sensing systems, or related aerospace subsystems Ability to assess technical risk and opportunity, establish mitigation strategies, and drive closure across functional teams Demonstrated ability to build trust, influence decisions, and lead through change in a fast-paced environment Physical Demands Ability to work in an office and production environment (Constant) Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent) Clearance Level No Clearance The salary range for