Systems Engineering Manager

FPC Franchise; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

FPC Franchise in Fort Wayne, IN is seeking a Systems Engineering Manager to lead a team delivering mission-critical electronic and sensing systems for defense and national security applications.

You will oversee architecture, requirements, integration, verification, and validation, drive MBSE adoption, manage distributed teams, and collaborate with program management to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery while maintaining security clearances.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical field required; master's preferred.
• 10+ years in complex engineering or defense tech environments.
• At least 5 years leading engineering teams or programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a systems engineering organization across distributed teams.
• Oversee full lifecycle from architecture to verification in defense programs.
• Drive process improvements with model‑based methods and tools.
• Collaborate with program management and senior leadership.

Skills

Systems engineering

Architecture design

Requirements decomposition

Model-based systems engineering

DOORS

Distributed teams leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

DOORS

Job description

Systems Engineering Manager

This Systems Engineering Manager role leads a team of systems engineers delivering complex mission‑critical electronic and sensing systems for defense and national security applications. The position oversees the full systems engineering lifecycle from architecture and requirements through integration, verification, and validation, ensuring high technical standards.

YOU’LL BE A GREAT FIT IF YOU

• Have deep systems engineering expertise across the full product lifecycle, including system architecture, requirements decomposition, integration planning, and verification and validation in complex defense or technology environments.
• Can lead and develop a systems engineering organization building alignment, cohesion, and high performance across geographically distributed teams.
• Are skilled at modernizing systems engineering practices, establishing metrics, and driving process improvements using tools such as model‑based systems engineering and requirements management platforms like DOORS.
• Bring strong technical judgment, collaborate effectively with program management and cross‑functional leaders, and provide decisive guidance on complex engineering challenges that impact cost, schedule, and technical performance.

WHAT YOU GET

• The challenge of leading a systems engineering organization responsible for mission‑critical defense technologies such as complex electronic sensing systems.
• The opportunity to shape technical direction, grow a high‑performing engineering team, and influence future programs within a growing defense technology company.
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits supporting health, financial security, and wellbeing, including medical, dental, vision, HSA options with employer contributions, 401(k) with company match, life and disability coverage, wellness programs, and additional voluntary protections.

TO BE CONSIDERED, YOU’LL NEED

A bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline (master’s preferred), approximately 10 or more years of experience in complex engineering or defense technology environments, and at least 5 years leading engineering teams, programs, or technical organizations. You should bring strong systems engineering depth across the product lifecycle, familiarity with model‑based methods and requirements tools, proven success leading distributed teams, and the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance while collaborating closely with senior engineering leadership.