Systems Engineering Manager

Det-Tronics (Detector Electronics, LLC); Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Career development

Wellness resources

Global mobility support

Ownership culture

Job summary

Det-Tronics seeks a Manager of Systems Engineering to lead a cross-functional team of design, software and test engineers across global projects. You will oversee planning, design, and execution of custom-engineered life-safety systems, ensuring customer requirements are met while managing budget, schedule, and technical risk.

The ideal candidate has a strong systems engineering background, proven leadership, and the ability to collaborate with product management, R&D, and field service to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Fire Protection, Mechanical, or Electrical preferred).
• 5+ years of experience in project engineering, preferably with a manufacturer of fire & gas detection and releasing system solutions, fire alarm, or other life safety systems.
• Experience with special hazards fire suppression systems, CO₂ and water mist systems, and fire alarm system design is preferred.
• Experience with AutoCAD and other system engineering software and testing tools.
• Demonstrated track record of continuous improvement and building organizational capability.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of project design, software, and test engineers.
• Oversee engineering budget and schedule resources for timely execution of the systems engineering requirements of projects.
• Supervise collection and analysis of customer specifications and system-level requirements.
• Coordinate department activities including system integration of Det-Tronics detectors and third-party products, and all required documentation and testing to meet the requirements of the total system solution for each project.
• Coordinate with cross functional departments including project management, systems assembly, product management, quality, field service, and R&D engineering to ensure successful design, testing and delivery of the system solution per customer specifications within budget and schedule.
• Develop and implement engineering strategies to standardize design where possible, improve efficiency and performance.
• Ensure compliance with all required industry standards and regulations. Stay updated on the latest industry trends and technologies.
• Provide input to product management and R&D engineering on new product development, backwards compatibility, and sustaining projects on Systems Engineering requirements.
• Trouble shooting integration issues and facilitating root-cause analysis for field issues.
• Develop and coach team members on appropriate policies, procedures, and control processes to meet work requirements, business objectives and improving skill sets. Conduct performance evaluations and provide feedback to team members.
• Monitor effectiveness and reliability of activities and recommend changes to optimize resources, prioritize spending and ensure business objectives are achieved.

Skills

Leadership

Systems engineering

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Testing tools

Job description

About Us

Det-Tronics is a $200M global technology leader in industrial life safety solutions, specializing in high-end flame and gas detection and automation control systems. As part of Spectrum Safety Solutions with 1,700 employees across 20+ countries we serve mission-critical environments in oil & gas, clean energy, marine, and infrastructure. Backed by Sentinel Capital Partners, we’re driving innovation and growth across our portfolio.

About Us

Det-Tronics is a $200M global technology leader in industrial life safety solutions, specializing in high-end flame and gas detection and automation control systems. As part of Spectrum Safety Solutions with 1,700 employees across 20+ countries we serve mission-critical environments in oil & gas, clean energy, marine, and infrastructure. Backed by Sentinel Capital Partners, we’re driving innovation and growth across our portfolio.

The Opportunity

The Manager of Systems engineering group leads the engineering team, and is responsible for overseeing the planning, design, cross-functional coordination and execution of custom-engineered systems. This role ensures customer requirements are met while managing technical, schedule, and financial aspects of custom-engineered projects. The manager acts as a mentor, coach, point of escalation, and strategic partner in driving departmental improvements The role also includes the engineering oversight of global projects and coordination with international teams across multiple time zones.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in systems engineering, excellent leadership skills, team management experience, and the ability to work collaboratively with other departments to deliver high-quality results.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of project design, software, and test engineers.
• Oversee engineering budget and schedule resources for timely execution of the systems engineering requirements of projects.
• Supervise collection and analysis of customer specifications and system-level requirements.
• Coordinate department activities including system integration of Det-Tronics detectors and third-party products, and all required documentation and testing to meet the requirements of the total system solution for each project.
• Coordinate with cross functional departments including project management, systems assembly, product management, quality, field service, and R&D engineering to ensure successful design, testing and delivery of the system solution per customer specifications within budget and schedule.
• Develop and implement engineering strategies to standardize design where possible, improve efficiency and performance.
• Ensure compliance with all required industry standards and regulations. Stay updated on the latest industry trends and technologies.
• Provide input to product management and R&D engineering on new product development, backwards compatibility, and sustaining projects on Systems Engineering requirements.
• Trouble shooting integration issues and facilitating root-cause analysis for field issues.
• Develop and coach team members on appropriate policies, procedures, and control processes to meet work requirements, business objectives and improving skill sets. Conduct performance evaluations and provide feedback to team members.
• Monitor effectiveness and reliability of activities and recommend changes to optimize resources, prioritize spending and ensure business objectives are achieved.

What You Bring

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Fire Protection, Mechanical, or Electrical preferred)
• 5+ years of experience in project engineering, preferably with a manufacturer of fire & gas detection and releasing system solutions, fire alarm, or other life safety systems.
• Experience with special hazards fire suppression systems, especially CO₂ and water mist systems, and fire alarm system design is preferred.
• Experience with AutoCAD and other system engineering software and testing tools.
• Demonstrated track record of continuous improvement and building organizational capability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong leadership and team management skills. Previous experience of managing teams in an engineering management role.
• Strong understanding of systems engineering principles and methodologies, familiarity with industry standards and compliance requirements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Why Join Us?

• Work with a globally respected brand in life safety
• Influence strategic decisions at the executive level
• Drive innovation and transformation in a high-growth environment
• Enjoy development opportunities within a dynamic, private equity-backed company

Benefits

• Health & Wellness: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans with company contributions
• Financial Security: 401(k) retirement plan with company match, life and disability insurance
• Time Off: Generous paid time off (PTO), holidays, and flexible scheduling options
• Professional Growth: Career development programs, training opportunities, and tuition reimbursement
• Employee Support: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), wellness resources, and global mobility support
• Ownership Culture: Participation in our Ownership Program, empowering employees to share in our success

Ready to shape the future of industrial safety?