System Engineering Manager (Los Angeles County)

Job Title: Systems Engineering Manager Location: Los Angeles County, CA Job Type: Full-time, On-site Company Overview: My client specializes in advanced electronic systems for aerospace and defense. Their products are engineered for reliability in extreme conditions and support a wide range of applications across space, defense, and critical infrastructure. They deliver solutions in areas such as AI-enabled processing, secure communications, and advanced digital architectures, with a customer base that spans dozens of top-tier clients.

Position Overview: My client is seeking a highly skilled Systems Engineering Manager to lead cross-functional teams in delivering embedded space & defense systems end-to-end — from requirements through certification. This pivotal role will partner closely with senior leadership to define product strategy and long-term technical direction. Key Responsibilities Lead Systems Engineers and cross-functional teams to deliver embedded systems end-to-end (space, aerospace, and defense) Define and own system requirements, architecture, integration, testing, and qualification through all review stages Manage schedule, budget, and requirements traceability with PMO Run technical working sessions and engineering reviews Identify, quantify, and mitigate technical risks Manage certification and compliance with applicable aerospace standards Hire, lead, and manage engineering teams Drive continuous improvement of processes, tooling, and technical deliverables (proposals, specs, white papers) Key Qualifications 10-15+ years’ experience in aerospace, defense, and space systems engineering.

Demonstrated success delivering relevant systems across the full product lifecycle: requirements, architecture, integration, V&V, certification, and production. Customer-facing: translate customer needs, lead technical reviews, and own the technical roadmap. Hands-on leader who has built and led engineering teams across systems and cross-functional disciplines.

Led certification and design-assurance programs (DO-254, DO-178C, AS9100, ARP-4754, ARP-4761). Familiar with program milestone processes and requirements/ICD traceability: SRR, PDR, TRR, CDR, SOI, PRR. Experience with environmental and EMI standards: MIL-STD-810, DO-160, MIL-STD-461, MIL-217.

Embedded-systems expertise: comms protocols, HW/SW integration, and interface control. Track record of identifying and mitigating technical risk and driving cross-functional execution. Clear, effective communicator for complex technical topics and customers; experienced in proposals and technical documentation.

ITAR Requirement: Must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a US person as: any individual who is granted U.S. citizenship; or any individual who is granted U.S. permanent residence (Green Card holder); or any individual who is granted status as a protected person under 8 U.S.C 1324b(a)(3).