Systems Engineering Manager

Holt Executive Recruitment; Maryland; On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and bonus

Flexible paid time off

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Disability coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Professional development opportunities

Employee Assistance Programme

On-site fitness facilities

Team events and professional sessions

Job summary

Holt Executive Ltd. seeks an experienced Systems Engineering Manager to lead a team delivering advanced satellite communication user terminals from concept to production. You will shape architectures, guide programmes and ensure alignment with technical, regulatory and commercial milestones.

You will oversee requirements, design decisions and the integration of hardware, firmware and software, collaborating with customers and senior stakeholders to meet performance goals and roadmap objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or related; Master/PhD preferred.
• 10+ years in hardware and software development; 3+ years in engineering management or leadership.
• 10+ years developing complex telecommunications or satellite systems.
• Direct experience with satellite OTA field trials and system validation.
• Strong RF systems and digital communications background.
• Experience with formal requirements management tools like Jama, Jira or DOORS.
• 7+ years programming/modeling with MATLAB, Python and C/C++.
• 7+ years experience with computer networks and TCP/IP protocols.
• Understanding of satellite comms, phased array design, beamforming and calibration.
• Experience with MBSE and SysML is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Systems Engineers.
• Define system architectures and allocate requirements across subsystems.
• Guide trade-offs for user terminal architectures using RF simulations and link budgets.
• Oversee hardware, firmware and software integration.
• Drive production test methods and verification planning.
• Manage requirements, verification and release processes.
• Define technical strategy and roadmaps with cross-functional teams.
• Support field testing, OTA validation and customer trials.
• Identify risks and mitigation strategies for leadership review.
• Guide 5G NR-NTN and multi-orbit satellite capabilities in programs.

Skills

Leadership

RF systems

Satellite communications

System integration

Troubleshooting

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

TCP/IP

Beamforming

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related

Master's or PhD preferred

Tools

Jama

Jira

DOORS

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Systems Engineering Manager to lead and develop a high-performing engineering team responsible for the design and delivery of advanced satellite communication user terminals.

This role combines people leadership with technical oversight, providing the opportunity to shape system architectures, guide complex engineering programmes and drive products from concept through to production.

You will lead experienced Systems Engineers, overseeing requirements definition, system-level design decisions and the integration of hardware, firmware and software. Working closely with cross-functional teams, customers and senior stakeholders, you will ensure engineering programmes meet their technical, performance and commercial objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop a team of Systems Engineers, managing performance, professional development and resource allocation.
• Direct the definition of system architectures and ensure requirements are appropriately allocated across subsystems.
• Guide technical trade-offs for user terminal architectures, using RF simulations and system performance analysis, including link budgets, G/T and EIRP.
• Provide technical oversight of Ku-band and Ka-band phased array antennas, beamformer chipsets and associated technologies.
• Oversee the development of efficient, cost-effective calibration and production test methods for phased array systems.
• Establish and improve engineering processes covering requirements management, verification, test planning and release management.
• Work with cross-functional leaders, customers and senior stakeholders to define technical strategy and deliver product roadmaps.
• Ensure engineering teams understand and implement system requirements, delivering against technical, regulatory and commercial milestones.
• Support field testing, over-the-air (OTA) validation and customer trials.
• Identify technical risks, develop mitigation strategies and report progress to senior leadership.
• Guide the integration of 5G NR-NTN and multi-orbit satellite capabilities across product development programmes.
• Define system integration and verification strategies spanning RF front ends, baseband, modems and network interfaces.
• Ensure products meet relevant regulatory and satellite operator certification requirements.
• Support recruitment, onboarding and succession planning within the Systems Engineering function.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or a related discipline. A Master's or PhD is preferred.
• 10+ years' experience in hardware and software development, including at least three years in an engineering management or technical leadership position.
• 10+ years' experience developing complex telecommunications or satellite communication systems.
• Direct experience supporting satellite over-the-air field trials and system validation.
• Strong background in RF systems, digital communications and communication theory.
• Expertise in formal requirements management processes and tools such as Jama, Jira or DOORS.
• At least seven years' programming and modelling experience using MATLAB, Python and C/C++.
• At least seven years' experience with computer networks and TCP/IP protocols.
• Strong understanding of satellite communications and phased array design principles, including beamforming and array calibration.
• Extensive experience troubleshooting and debugging complex system integrations, from RF front end through to baseband.
• Ability to comply with applicable US export control regulations, including EAR and ITAR.

Desirable Experience

• Proven track record of building, mentoring and developing high-performing engineering teams.
• Strong leadership, performance management, conflict resolution and strategic planning capabilities.
• Experience leading senior, principal and specialist-level engineers.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience with multi-orbit GEO, MEO and LEO satellite networks and electronically steered antenna (ESA) user terminals.
• Knowledge of 3GPP Release 17 or later NTN standards and satellite waveforms such as DVB-S2X.
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), including SysML.
• Experience with antenna measurement, near-field or compact range testing and production RF test.
• Familiarity with FCC, ETSI and ITU regulatory requirements for satellite communication terminals.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and annual performance-related bonus.
• Flexible paid time off and company holidays.
• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance.
• Employer-funded short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer contributions.
• Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities.
• Confidential Employee Assistance Programme.
• Access to on-site fitness facilities.
• Complimentary refreshments and kitchen facilities.
• Regular team events, social activities and professional development sessions.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced engineering leader to take ownership of a specialist Systems Engineering function, influence next-generation satellite communication technologies and lead the delivery of complex products within a growing, technically driven environment.