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Systems Engineering Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Systems Engineering Manager

Palo Alto, CA ยท On-site

$200K - $250K/yr

ALSO is looking for a Systems Engineering Manager to play a key role in defining and supporting requirements development and feature development on various electric mobility vehicles! What You Will ...

We have an opening for a Cryogenic Systems Engineering Manager to lead and advance the cryogenic operations and engineering capabilities that support the successful fielding of all NIF targets. You ...

We have an opening for a Cryogenic Systems Engineering Manager to lead and advance the cryogenic operations and engineering capabilities that support the successful fielding of all NIF targets. You ...

We have an opening for a Cryogenic Systems Engineering Manager to lead and advance the cryogenic operations and engineering capabilities that support the successful fielding of all NIF targets. You ...

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Systems Engineering Manager information

See California salary details

$59.7K

$140.2K

$193.4K

How much do systems engineering manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for systems engineering manager in California is $140,209.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $112,500.00 and $170,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Systems Engineering Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Systems Engineering Manager, you need a solid background in systems engineering principles, project management experience, and typically a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with systems modeling tools (such as SysML), requirements management software, and relevant industry certifications like INCOSE CSEP are often required. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills help you effectively guide teams and collaborate with stakeholders. These skills and qualities are essential to ensure project success, technical excellence, and seamless integration of complex systems.

What are some common challenges faced by Systems Engineering Managers, and how can they be addressed?

Systems Engineering Managers often navigate challenges such as coordinating multidisciplinary teams, ensuring clear communication across departments, and balancing technical leadership with project management duties. They may also face difficulties in aligning system requirements with organizational goals and managing resource constraints. To address these, effective managers foster open communication, implement structured processes for requirement management, and prioritize continuous training for their teams. Building strong relationships with stakeholders and promoting a culture of collaboration can also help overcome these challenges.

What does a Systems Engineering Manager do?

A Systems Engineering Manager oversees a team of engineers responsible for designing, integrating, and maintaining complex systems within an organization. They coordinate project activities, ensure technical requirements are met, and manage resources to deliver efficient solutions. Additionally, they serve as a liaison between engineering teams and other departments, helping to translate business needs into technical specifications. Their role often involves mentoring staff, managing budgets, and ensuring projects are completed on time and within scope.

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

AspectSystems Engineering ManagerSystems Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, PMP or similar certifications often preferredBachelor's degree in Engineering, relevant technical certifications
Work EnvironmentLeads teams, manages projects, oversees system developmentDesigns, develops, tests systems, works on technical tasks
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in tech, aerospace, defense, and manufacturing companiesCommon in similar industries, often as technical staff
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding managerial roles, leadership responsibilitiesTechnical skills, system design, implementation

The main difference between a Systems Engineering Manager and a Systems Engineer lies in their roles and responsibilities. The manager oversees teams and projects, focusing on leadership and strategic planning, while the engineer concentrates on technical system development and implementation. Both roles require relevant engineering credentials and are vital in industries like aerospace, defense, and technology.

What are popular job titles related to Systems Engineering Manager jobs in California? For Systems Engineering Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Systems Engineering Manager jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Systems Engineering Manager jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Systems Engineering Manager jobs? Cities in California with the most Systems Engineering Manager job openings:
Systems Engineering Manager

Systems Engineering Manager

Fuse Integration

San Diego, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

Who we are:
Fuse builds innovative communications, networking, and computing solutions that improve the sharing of information, video, text, and voice among operators distributed throughout the airborne, maritime, and ground environments. We are an R&D firm creating in-house software, network and hardware solutions that support our noble cause of advancing warfighter capabilities with elegant, user-focused communications, networks, and software systems.
About this role:
Do you thrive in innovative, design-driven environments with a high level of both accountability and trust? Are you passionate about delivering integrated hardware and system level solutions with the right amount of engineering rigor? Are you seeking a leadership role where you can take initiative? If so - we want to hear from you!
As the Fuse Systems Engineering Manager you will have a pivotal role providing both administrative and technical guidance and leadership to the mechanical, electrical, systems engineering, industrial design, and production teams. This guidance ranges from requirements definition and execution of design intent and includes meeting all appropriate mil standards and developing validation and verification (V&V) procedures to ensure proper function of systems and designs. The Fuse HW & Systems Manager also provides a bridge between the PMO and engineering team for project and program goals and milestones as they relate to tasking.
Warfighter-focused design and development is at the heart of Fuse processes. Throughout Fuse development our experienced team applies the best practices of commercial design-think, coupled to the DoD systems engineering framework. The coupling of commercially proven design with rigorous systems engineering gives Fuse an ability to rapidly design, develop and field solutions well inside of typical military design cycles. With an Agile approach to development (for both software and hardware) Fuse rapidly innovates, putting creative concepts into action, and refining those concepts through hands on test, user evaluation, and iteration.
What you'll do:
โ€ข Lead Systems, Mechanical and Electrical engineering aspects of User focused engineering and design process
โ€ข Provide technical guidance and review to SYS engineering teams
โ€ข Coordinate with other discipline Managers and Principals to provide unified guidance and tasking across the company to ensure strategic goals are met
โ€ข Conduct performance evaluations and mentor team on professional development, goal setting and career advancement
โ€ข Project Planning and Execution:
โ€ข Interface with PMO and Leadership teams for applicable inputs on technical proposals, ROMs, WBS's, hours and tasking estimates for projects in all phases of development
โ€ข Provide support to PMO on IMS/WBS development as well as resource allocation across known and projected tasking
โ€ข Provide input into yearly engineering budget planning activities for Hardware and Systems engineering as well as Production interests
โ€ข Directly supervise production staff and ensure that quality and delivery metrics are met
โ€ข Provide guidance and review on development of all production work instructions and test procedures
โ€ข Ensure that all production processes are followed - work instructions, inventory tracking/inspections, production schedule updates, traceability, etc.
โ€ข Enforce industry standard quality practices throughout production environment (FOD, ESD, Tool Control, etc.)
โ€ข Lead quality certification effort from a production and HW/SYS engineering perspective
โ€ข Ensure that production infrastructure meets the needs of the team both current and future (workspace, electrical outlets, tooling, etc.)
โ€ข Represent Hardware and Systems engineering interests at customer facing interactions (PMR, SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, etc.)
โ€ข Participate in, or coordinate team member's participation in, customer site visits throughout project lifecycle from information gathering through integration events and post-delivery support
Requirements
We are looking for:
โ€ข Bachelors Degree or higher in Mechanical, Systems, Electrical or other related Engineering field
โ€ข 8+ years of experience driving HW & Systems Engineering for an organization
โ€ข Experience in prototyping and turning prototypes into shipped products
โ€ข Experience with Design Thinking processes and user-focused design principles
โ€ข Expert level of capability with Solidworks software including experience with eDrawings and Model Based Definition (MBD) of products and assemblies
โ€ข Experience and in-depth understanding of Configuration Management practices
โ€ข Demonstrated experience involving the design of electro-mechanical systems for military applications
โ€ข Experience with engineering design and development, as well as testing and deployment of complex systems
โ€ข Ability to perform analyses and trade studies to aid in the selection of system components
โ€ข Strong technical network troubleshooting skills with the ability to trace technical issues within multiple systems
โ€ข Experience creating detailed system level interconnect block diagrams utilizing supplier data sheets
โ€ข Must be comfortable working on an active flight line
โ€ข Experience working alongside an agile software development team, including use of project management software and integration with scrum, agile etc
โ€ข Understanding of conduction and convection based thermal designs
โ€ข Experience with fabrication methods for sheet metal and machined parts
โ€ข Experience with additive manufacturing processes
โ€ข US Citizen
โ€ข Ability to obtain US Secret Clearance
โ€ข Your own unique talents! If you meet some requirements of this position but not 100% of the qualifications outlined above, tell us why you'd be a great fit for this role based on your specific characteristics that align with our values and goals
Must be a nimble self-starter who is excited about technology and has the ability to think out of the box and suggest powerful new ideas
Nice to have:
โ€ข Experience with U.S. Navy or other armed services warfare programs or systems
โ€ข A comfortable command of visual authoring tools used by software developers, mechanical, electrical, industrial or system engineers such as Visual Studio, Solidworks, or others
โ€ข Experience with industrial design and shipping physical products
โ€ข Experience with physical products for use harsh environments
โ€ข Active US Secret Clearance
Founded in 2010, Fuse is a veteran-owned business. Our San Diego-based company has earned recognition as an emerging leader in airborne, maritime, and ground networking.
Please respond with resume, in addition to your resume - a Cover Letter will go a long way!
More about Fuse:
Founded in 2010, Fuse is a veteran-owned, rapidly growing small business. Our San Diego-based company has earned recognition as an emerging leader in airborne, maritime, and ground networking. Placing the warfighter at the center of every design process, Fuse delivers intuitive, agile, and resilient products that go beyond national security requirements-providing lasting utility and game-changing results. We take pride in our brilliant and talented team as well as our dynamic environment and collaborative, creative, environment. We build cutting-edge hardware and software products that solve complex national security challenges for our warfighters at the tactical edge.
Salary Range: $170,000 - $220,000
Benefits
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision
    • Employee coverage is fully funded; a portion of dependents' coverage is funded as well
  • 11 paid Federal Holidays
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
    • Date of hire through second year: 10 days/year (accrued)
    • After two years: unlimited
  • 40 hours of paid sick leave per year
  • 401k with employer matching
  • Annual bonuses
  • Cell phone reimbursement: $100/month