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Director Systems Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Lead, mentor, and develop a systems engineering team of 10 to 12 direct reports supporting multiple T&RF programs, independent research and development efforts, and capture and proposal activities.

Lead, direct and review the work of direct report(s) to accomplish near-term operational plans and ... Perform systems engineering duties for multiple systems simultaneously. * Direct experience with ...

$127K - $236K/yr

Manager, Systems Engineering & Integration Job Code: 41588 Job Location: Canoga Park, CA Job ... Provide leadership and direct technical support of AR product development efforts for both ...

Showing results 21-40

Director Systems Engineering information

What does a director systems engineering do?

A Director of Systems Engineering leads and manages the systems engineering team within an organization, overseeing the design, development, and implementation of complex systems. They coordinate cross-functional teams, ensure engineering projects align with business goals, and establish standards and best practices. This role involves strategic planning, resource management, and ensuring that systems meet performance, security, and scalability requirements. Directors also mentor team members and collaborate with other departments to deliver high-quality technical solutions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director systems engineering?

To thrive as a Director Systems Engineering, you need deep expertise in systems architecture, engineering management, and a relevant technical degree, often with extensive experience leading engineering teams. Familiarity with systems engineering tools (like DOORS or SysML), project management software, and certifications such as INCOSE CSEP are typically required. Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and strong communication skills help you motivate teams and align engineering efforts with business objectives. These competencies are crucial to delivering complex technical solutions efficiently and driving organizational success.

What are some common challenges faced by directors of systems engineering, and how can they be addressed?

Directors of Systems Engineering often encounter challenges such as aligning cross-functional teams, managing complex projects with competing priorities, and ensuring system reliability at scale. Effective communication and stakeholder management are essential to address these challenges, as is fostering a culture of collaboration between engineering, product, and operations teams. Implementing robust project management methodologies and staying current with emerging technologies can also help Directors anticipate potential roadblocks and deliver high-quality solutions.

What is the difference between Director Systems Engineering vs Systems Engineer?

AspectDirector Systems EngineeringSystems Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in Engineering, PMP or similar certifications often preferredBachelor's in Engineering or related field; certifications like Cisco, Microsoft may be advantageous
Work EnvironmentLeadership role overseeing teams, strategic planning, cross-department collaborationTechnical role focused on designing, implementing, and maintaining systems
Industry UsageUsed in large organizations, tech firms, and enterprises with complex systemsCommon across industries for technical system development and support

The main difference is that the Director Systems Engineering focuses on strategic leadership, team management, and high-level planning, while the Systems Engineer handles technical system design and implementation. The director oversees multiple projects and teams, whereas the systems engineer is more hands-on with technical tasks.

What are the most commonly searched types of Systems Engineering jobs in California?

The most popular types of Systems Engineering jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Director Systems Engineering jobs?

Cities in California with the most Director Systems Engineering job openings:

Infographic showing various Director Systems Engineering job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution.

Manager, Systems Engineering

San Diego, CA

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Lead, mentor, and develop a systems engineering team supporting multiple programs and activities.

  • Own system requirements decomposition, architecture definition, interface control, verification planning, and technical baseline management.

  • Support technical trade studies, risk management, issue resolution, and verification activities across development and operational environments.


Job description

Job Description:

 

Job Title: Systems Engineering Manager, T&RF

Job Code: 42501

Job Location: San Diego, CA

Job Schedule: 9/80: Employees work 9 out of every 14 days- totaling 80 hours worked- and have every other Friday off

 

 

The Systems Engineering Manager reports to the T&RF Engineering Director and leads a multidisciplinary systems engineering team of 10 to 12 direct reports supporting the capture, development, integration, verification, production, and sustainment of T&RF products for space and defense missions. This role is accountable for technical planning, requirements definition, architecture development, interface management, system verification, and team execution across product lines that include secure communications payloads, satellite command and control, mission radio frequency data links, high power amplifiers, tactical satellite communications terminals, and embedded information assurance and communications security solutions. The manager is expected to incorporate model-based systems engineering into program execution, proposal efforts, and continuous improvement initiatives.

 

Essential Functions:

 

  • Lead, mentor, and develop a systems engineering team of 10 to 12 direct reports supporting multiple T&RF programs, independent research and development efforts, and capture and proposal activities.
  • Own system requirements decomposition, concept of operations, architecture definition, interface control, verification planning, and technical baseline management from capture through production and sustainment.
  • Drive adoption and practical use of model-based systems engineering and digital engineering methods, including SysML-based modeling, to improve requirements traceability, architecture communication, and verification readiness.
  • Partner with Program Management, Chief Engineers, Product Line Leaders, Software, Field-Programmable Gate Array, Electrical, Mechanical, Test, Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to achieve cost, schedule, and technical objectives.
  • Support customer engagements, technical interchange meetings, design reviews, and proposal activities for Department of Defense, intelligence community, civil, and commercial space opportunities.
  • Balance team staffing, priorities, budgets, and development plans across multiple efforts while maintaining execution against milestones and commitments.
  • Ensure systems engineering artifacts comply with contract requirements, internal processes, and applicable military, aerospace, communications security, and space standards.
  • Lead technical trade studies, risk and opportunity management, and issue resolution involving mission radio frequency links, secure communications, terminal architectures, payload performance, and command and control solutions.
  • Guide integration and test strategy, verification closure, and problem resolution across development laboratories, qualification activities, and fielded environments.
  • Build a culture of technical rigor, accountability, collaboration, and mission focus while representing systems engineering to senior leadership and customers.

 

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or a related technical field with a minimum of 12 years of prior related experience. Graduate Degree with a minimum of 10 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 16 years of prior related experience.
  • Active Secret Security Clearance.

 

Preferred Additional Skills:

  • Experience leading systems engineering activities for radio frequency communications, satellite communications, space payloads, terminals, or other complex aerospace and defense systems.
  • Working knowledge of the systems engineering lifecycle, including requirements management, architecture development, interface definition, integration and test, verification and validation, and technical reviews.
  • Demonstrated ability to incorporate model-based systems engineering into product development, program execution, or technology roadmaps.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external customers and to lead cross-functional technical teams through ambiguity and change.
  • Advanced degree in a related technical field or prior formal engineering management experience.
  • Experience with tracking, telemetry, and command systems, crosslinks, mission radio frequency data links, software-defined radio frequency payloads, satellite command and control, high power amplifiers, tactical satellite communications terminals, integrated broadcast service receivers, embedded information assurance and communications security, specialized waveforms, or mission-specific terminals.
  • Experience with model-based systems engineering tools such as Cameo, MagicDraw, Rhapsody, Capella, or similar, and requirements tools such as DOORS, Jama, or equivalent.
  • Familiarity with digital engineering, open systems approaches, interface standards, and model-driven verification planning.
  • Experience supporting staffing plans, basis of estimates, proposal volumes, and strategic growth activities.
  • Experience in highly regulated defense or aerospace environments with export-controlled or classified programs.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington, and the Greater D.C. area, Denver, or NYC areas is $153,000 - $284,000. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

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