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Systems Engineering Manager Jobs in Brea, CA (NOW HIRING)

... management. The ideal candidate for this position will be proficient in most aspects of the systems engineering process, will have direct experience designing and testing complex systems, and will be ...

Vast is looking for a Systems Engineer , reporting to the Vice President of Flight Safety and ... Oversee the technical management of all products across multiple engineering disciplines, and drive ...

Execute a right-sized, Agile Systems Engineering approach as per the Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP) for development of the Thunder Mission System and Payloads at the speed of relevance

Design Engineering Manager

Tustin, CA · On-site

$117K - $211K/yr

The Design Engineering Manager will oversee the Opto-Mechanical Design Engineering Department at Attalon Optical Systems, managing and training a team of highly skilled engineers. This role includes ...

Showing results 21-40

Systems Engineering Manager information

See Brea, CA salary details

$62.7K

$147.2K

$203K

How much do systems engineering manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for systems engineering manager in Brea, CA is $147,164.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,100.00 and $179,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

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 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 Brea, CA?

For Systems Engineering Manager jobs in Brea, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Brea, CA are hiring for Systems Engineering Manager jobs?

Cities near Brea, CA with the most Systems Engineering Manager job openings:

Engineering Systems Program Manager

Anduril Industries

Costa Mesa, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago


Anduril rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Anduril

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Manufacturers average

Based on 75,816 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

ABOUT THE TEAM:

ArsenalOS is the digital backbone of Anduril's hardware enterprise. It connects the full lifecycle, from concept to build to field feedback, into one operating environment built for speed, traceability, autonomy, and continuous improvement. That environment includes not just the software used to design, plan, and execute work, but also the factory-facing infrastructure that connects operators, machines, test systems, and OT networks into the same adaptive Build Chain. It is not a support function, but rather a strategic investment by Anduril that the operating system of the hardware lifecycle is how we win. It will be one of the mechanisms by which Anduril out-builds, out-adapts, and out-scales the traditional defense industrial base. We are looking for a Engineering Solutions Application Engineer to work with our team of developers and partner with cross functional teams across the company to develop customizations, optimize workflows and ensure engineering tools do not limit the speed of engineering design.

ABOUT THE JOB:

We are seeking a highly skilled Technical Program Manager to join our team. You will be responsible for helping product and program teams maximize the value they get out of the engineering tools and systems they use on a daily basis (CAD, CAE, Requirements tools etc.). You will work across a broad set of stakeholders to design, develop, and implement improvements and optimizations to our engineering systems while helping steer future investments. Beyond optimizing existing tools, this individual will also have a hand in helping operate a portfolio of internal products, vendor pilots, platform decisions, integrations, upgrades, and KTLO initiatives.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

  • Translate product strategy and portfolio priorities into executable programs, milestones, owners, and outcomes.
  • Maintain visibility across concurrent workstreams, dependencies, risks, decisions, and resourcing gaps.
  • Drive execution across engineering users, software teams, infrastructure, security, procurement, system owners, and vendors.
  • Identify missing handoffs and unwritten work, converting them into accountable plans.
  • Facilitate requirements and scope definition with product, customer, and technical owners.
  • Lead pilots, implementations, migrations, rollouts, adoption, and operational handoffs.
  • Provide concise, decision-ready updates and escalate consequential tradeoffs early.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • 5+ years of relevant engineering, technical program management, or engineering-systems implementation experience.
  • Familiarity with platforms such as NX, Simcenter, Teamcenter, Cameo/TWC, Jama, or comparable systems.
  • Experience with MCAD, ECAD, CAE, MBSE, requirements-management, simulation, or engineering-data platforms.
  • Demonstrated success leading multiple concurrent, technically complex programs across organizational boundaries.
  • Working knowledge of engineering workflows and systems, with meaningful depth in at least one domain.
  • Experience coordinating internal development teams, engineering customers, infrastructure partners, and external vendors.
  • Technical fluency with system integrations, APIs, data flows, authentication, and enterprise deployments.
  • Experience managing plans, dependencies, risks, decisions, delivery readiness, and stakeholder communication.
  • Excellent facilitation, written communication, judgment, and follow-through.
  • Must be a US person.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Prior experience as a practicing mechanical, electrical, systems, or analysis engineer.
  • Experience delivering pilots, migrations, major upgrades, or internal engineering products through adoption.
  • Experience in aerospace, defense, automotive, or complex hardware manufacturing.
  • Familiarity with digital-thread, Model-Based Enterprise, data-migration, and ETL concepts.
  • Experience with enterprise licensing, procurement, security reviews, and vendor management.

Working at Anduril

About Anduril, in their own words

From Anduril

As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril delivers cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the warfighter in months, not years.


What Anduril employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Anduril Industries logo

About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

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