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Systems Engineering Manager Jobs in Oak Brook, IL

Systems Engineering Manager

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$110 - $150/hr

S. citizen (required) We're hiring a System Engineering Manager to lead both our pre-sales engineering team and our post-sales technical support organization. The role covers the full customer ...

Fiber Systems Engineering Manager

Lisle, IL ยท On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

Your Job Molex is seeking a Fiber Systems Engineering Manager to lead a dynamic team focused on the development of advanced optical fiber connectivity solutions and process engineering innovations.

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Systems Engineering Manager information

See Oak Brook, IL salary details

$61.1K

$143.4K

$197.8K

How much do systems engineering manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for systems engineering manager in Oak Brook, IL is $143,381.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $115,100.00 and $174,600.00 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 Oak Brook, IL?

For Systems Engineering Manager jobs in Oak Brook, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Systems Engineering Manager jobs in Oak Brook, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Systems Engineering Manager jobs in Oak Brook, IL are:

What cities near Oak Brook, IL are hiring for Systems Engineering Manager jobs?

Cities near Oak Brook, IL with the most Systems Engineering Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Systems Engineering Manager job openings in Oak Brook, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $143,381 per year, or $68.9 per hour.

Systems Engineering Manager

Willowbrook, IL โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

This job post hasย expired 1 day ago.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Systems Engineering Manager

Systems Engineering Manager
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Systems Engineering Manager to lead a team responsible for designing, deploying, and maintaining secure, resilient systems across physical and network domains. This role combines hands-on technical leadership and people management to deliver solutions for virtualization, containerization, network security, and physical security systems (access control and intrusion detection) in regulated environments. The ideal candidate will partner with stakeholders to define architecture, enforce standards, and drive continuous improvement while ensuring compliance and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and mentor a small systems engineering team, including hiring, coaching, performance management, and career development.
  • Define and own system architecture and engineering standards spanning virtualization (Proxmox, Hyper-V, VMware), container platforms (Kubernetes, Docker), and cloud-native patterns.
  • Design, implement, and maintain network and security architectures using Fortinet and Cisco technologies, integrating network security best practices and monitoring tools.
  • Oversee implementation and lifecycle management of physical security systems including access control, intrusion detection, and related integrations with IT systems.
  • Drive observability and incident response practices using Splunk and other monitoring tools; establish runbooks, SLAs, and post-incident reviews.
  • Architect and operationalize SSO/IAM solutions to support secure authentication and authorization across services and physical systems.
  • Manage virtualization and host infrastructure capacity planning, patching, backup, and disaster recovery strategies.
  • Collaborate with procurement, regulatory, and compliance teams to ensure systems meet requirements for regulated and safety-critical environments (e.g., nuclear facilities).
  • Coordinate cross-functional projects, working with Network, Security, DevOps, and Application teams to deliver secure end-to-end solutions on time and on budget.
  • Champion automation and CI/CD for platform delivery, and promote DevOps practices to improve repeatability, reliability, and speed of delivery.

Qualifications

  • Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
  • 6+ years of systems engineering experience with at least 2 years in a people leadership role managing engineers or technical teams.
  • Demonstrated experience with virtualization platforms: Proxmox, Hyper-V, and VMware.
  • Proven hands-on expertise with container orchestration and tooling: Kubernetes and Docker.
  • Strong background in network architecture and security using Fortinet and Cisco products.
  • Experience integrating and operating Splunk or equivalent observability/monitoring platforms.
  • Experience with physical security technologies: access control, intrusion detection systems, and their integration with IT services.
  • Familiarity with SSO/IAM implementations, authentication protocols (SAML, OAuth/OIDC), and identity lifecycle management.
  • Experience operating in regulated, safety-critical or nuclear environments, including knowledge of compliance and documentation requirements.
  • Excellent communication, stakeholder management, project leadership, and change management skills. Certifications such as CISSP, CCNP/CCIE, or relevant virtualization/container certifications are a plus.

Benefits

  • Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • 410K
  • PTO
- For this position, you must be currently authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship for a non-immigrant visa. This job was first posted by CyberCoders on 08/19/2026 and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled or closed.Everforth CyberCoders is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, status as a crime victim, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our hiring process includes AI screening for keywords and minimum qualifications, and a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. A human recruiter reviews all results. Click here for details on our virtual recruiter .  Everforth CyberCoders will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local law, including but not limited to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the California Fair Chance Act. Everforth CyberCoders is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. Individuals needing special assistance or an accommodation while seeking employment can contact a member of our Human Resources team at Benefits@CyberCoders.com to make arrangements.

Salary

$140000 - $180000 USD per year