System Engineering Manager

Confidential; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential is seeking a Systems Engineering Manager to own end-to-end system architecture for rugged computing platforms. You will lead the systems architecture and test evaluation teams, drive PDR/CDR reviews, and guide requirements, V&V planning, and trade studies.

You will hire, mentor, and develop engineers, shaping technical direction and ensuring performance and reliability targets. U.S. citizenship is required.

Qualifications

• 15–20 years in systems engineering or technical leadership in aerospace or automotive.
• Depth in both hardware and software systems engineering.
• Experience directly managing engineers, not only leading projects.
• Fluent in Model-Based Systems Engineering with SysML-based tools.
• BS in engineering or a related STEM field; MS preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own system architectures that integrate hardware and software across programs.
• Lead architecture reviews (PDR, CDR) and trade studies.
• Manage cost, schedule, and technical risk against milestones.
• Direct the Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP).
• Serve as primary technical interface for internal and external customers.

Skills

SysML MBSE

Architecture leadership

PDR/CDR reviews

Systems integration

Team building

Education

BS in engineering

MS preferred

Tools

SysML tools

Job description

A well-established U.S. manufacturer of rugged computing systems for defense and commercial missions, is hiring a Systems Engineering Manager. This is a seat for a seasoned engineering leader who can own system architecture end to end and build the team that delivers it.

The Why

Founded more than 35 years ago, the company designs and builds rugged computers that run continuously in extreme and austere conditions. Its platforms have thousands of successful deployments across defense and commercial programs. Every product is made in the USA at its Greater Houston headquarters, and the operation holds AS9100:2016 and ISO 9001:2015 certifications.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Vice President of Engineering, you will lead the systems architecture and test evaluation teams. You own complex system architectures that integrate hardware and software, direct the Systems Engineering Management Plan, and manage cost, schedule, and technical risk against contracted milestones. You are also the primary technical point of contact for internal and external customers.

The Impact

You will set the technical direction for how the company's systems are defined, built, and proven. That means leading design reviews (PDR, CDR) and trade studies, guiding requirements and V&V planning, and helping win new business through bids and proposals. You will hire, mentor, and develop a team of engineers and specialists and raise the bar for how they perform.

The Ideal Leader

You bring 15 to 20 years in systems engineering or technical leadership in aerospace or automotive, with real depth in both hardware and software. You have managed engineers directly, not only led projects. You work fluently in Model-Based Systems Engineering with SysML-based tools, and you hold a BS in engineering or a related STEM field (MS preferred). Experience with ruggedized electronics built for extreme environments is a strong plus. U.S. citizenship is required.

The Culture

The company builds for missions where failure is not an option, and the work reflects it: disciplined process, certified quality systems, and pride in products made in the USA. Engineers here solve hard problems close to the hardware and see their work deployed in the field. Leaders are expected to communicate clearly, think at the system level, and develop the people around them.

Why This Role Matters

This is a chance to own systems engineering at a company where the engineering is the product. You report to the VP of Engineering, shape the architecture of mission-critical platforms, and build the team that carries it forward. For a leader who wants senior scope, visible impact, and work that ships to people who depend on it, this seat delivers all three.

The Success Factors

1. Own the Architecture

Define and oversee system architectures that integrate hardware and software, and lead PDR and CDR reviews and trade studies to sound decisions.

2. Build a High-Performance Team

Hire, mentor, and develop the systems architecture and test evaluation teams into a group that delivers with consistency and rigor.

3. Deliver on Contract

Direct the SEMP and manage cost, schedule, and technical risk so milestones land on the contracted schedule.

4. Drive Requirements and V&V

Guide requirements elicitation, allocation, verification, and validation so every system meets its performance and reliability targets.

5. Lead with Customers

Serve as the primary technical voice for internal and external customers and strengthen new business bids and proposals.