Senior Systems Engineer

Motivo; Carson (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base Salary Range

401(k) match

Generous vacation time

4/10 work week

Job summary

Motivo seeks a Senior Systems Engineer to lead technical decisions across electro-mechanical projects, with a strong focus on system architecture.

You will work closely with a Project Manager and Technical Lead to guide focused engineering teams through product development from concept to fabrication, ensuring traceability and robust V&V processes while mentoring junior engineers.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Systems/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years in a systems engineering role with multidisciplinary delivery.
• Experience in systems architecture, requirements traceability, risk management, and hardware-software integration.

Responsibilities

• Plan technical and programmatic aspects of projects.
• Define and review system architectures with traceable requirements.
• Identify and manage technical and programmatic risks.
• Lead technical teams to project completion.
• Oversee V&V activities and debugging during integration.
• Mentor junior engineers and promote systems thinking.

Skills

Systems architecture

Requirements management

Trade-off analysis

Technical risk management

Hardware & software integration

Product lifecycle

Strong communication

Systems thinking

Education

B.S. in Systems Engineering

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

Tools

HIL testing

SIL testing

ISO 15288

Job description

About Motivo

Motivo is a project-based company delivering excellence in mechanical and electrical system design and prototype builds. We have a history in successfully taking concepts through to actual finished solutions. Our work spans a wide range of market segments including mobility/automotive, aerospace, robotics, and clean energy, to name a few. Every team member will experience a wide variety of challenging projects, offering rich opportunities for professional growth. We are passionate about solving complex engineering challenges, striving for excellence within every unique project constraint, and believe in having fun while we do it!

About the role

We are looking for a passionate, enthusiastic multidisciplinary engineer, capable of leading the technical decision-making process in electro-mechanical projects that require a solid system architecture.

• At Motivo, our Sr. Systems Engineers are highly valued and versatile team members. They are the linchpin in executing complex electro-mechanical projects from concept to fabrication. We look for creative problem-solvers with a keen eye for detail and the ability to balance competing priorities.

What you'll do

Working closely with a Project Manager and Technical Lead, a Systems Engineer guides focused engineering teams through the initial phases of product development. This involves:

• Planning technical and programmatic aspects.
• Defining and reviewing complete system architectures, including ensuring traceability of requirements.
• Identifying and managing technical and programmatic risks.
• Identifying key components and technologies.
• Leading technical teams to successful project completion.

In later phases, you'll lead brainstorms, review work, provide technical guidance, and assist with debugging and troubleshooting during integration and validation & verification (V&V) activities. An ideal candidate possesses a strong understanding of mechanical, electrical, and software engineering, along with general physics, to effectively communicate and understand their interactions. This role is perfect for an incredibly sharp engineer with an insatiable curiosity for all aspects of engineering!

As a Senior Systems Engineer, you will:

• Lead systems engineering efforts for diverse projects, ensuring subsystems integrate effectively and meet performance, cost, and timeline requirements.
• Collaborate with clients and internal teams to define and manage clear, comprehensive, and verifiable system-level requirements, ensuring robust traceability throughout the development lifecycle.
• Develop and maintain system architectures, interface control documents, and other systems engineering artifacts.
• Conduct trade studies and analyses to support critical design decisions and technology selections, incorporating technical risk management practices.
• Oversee the integration and testing of complex electro-mechanical systems, identifying and resolving cross-disciplinary issues, and leading validation & verification (V&V) efforts.
• Develop and execute system-level validation and verification plans.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement.
• Champion a systems-thinking approach across the organization, promoting best practices in systems engineering, including risk management and robust V&V processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Sr. Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of professional experience in a systems engineering role with a proven track record of successfully delivering complex, multidisciplinary projects.
• Demonstrated expertise in systems architecture, requirements management (including traceability), trade-off analysis, technical risk management, and integration of hardware and software systems.
• Hands-on experience with the full product development lifecycle, from concept through validation & verification (V&V) to production.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically at a systems level.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with internal teams and external clients and drive critical decisions.
• A passion for innovation and a desire to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Preferred

• Master of Science in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Experience in industries such as automotive, aerospace, robotics, or medical devices.
• Familiarity with industry standards (e.g., ISO 15288).
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and software-in-the-loop (SIL) testing.
• A portfolio of successfully launched products.

Benefits

We’re convinced that the team and the projects are hands-down the best part of working at Motivo. To support that, we offer a solid benefits package including high-quality insurance, a 401(k) match, generous vacation time, and our Monday–Thursday 4/10 work week. We offer profit-sharing bonuses, which are tied to overall company performance, because we believe in winning together; we’re transparent about the company’s numbers, and when our hard work drives financial success, employees may share in the upside.

• Base Salary Range: $125,000 - $135,000
• Salary is dependent on experience, knowledge, and interview performance.