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Systems Engineering Manager Jobs in Phoenix, AZ (NOW HIRING)

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Systems Engineering Manager information

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$60.1K

$141.1K

$194.6K

How much do systems engineering manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for systems engineering manager in Phoenix, AZ is $141,063.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $113,200.00 and $171,800.00 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 job categories do people searching Systems Engineering Manager jobs in Phoenix, AZ look for?

The top searched job categories for Systems Engineering Manager jobs in Phoenix, AZ are:

What cities near Phoenix, AZ are hiring for Systems Engineering Manager jobs?

Cities near Phoenix, AZ with the most Systems Engineering Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Systems Engineering Manager job openings in Phoenix, AZ as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $141,063 per year, or $67.8 per hour.

Systems Engineering Manager 2- Mission Modeling Simulation

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Chandler, AZ • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted yesterday

New


Northrop Grumman rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 364 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

89th of 543 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
Northrop Grumman is seeking a Systems Engineering Manager Level 2, Mission Modeling Simulation, located in Chandler, AZ. This position will manage a team of engineers and serve as a senior individual contributor developing and applying high-fidelity, mission-level and system-level models and simulations for missile and interceptor systems.
This role will be a combination of 85% technical work and 15% functional homeroom manager. You will design and implement physics-based models, construct mission and engagement scenarios, and perform quantitative analyses that support requirements development, design trades, and performance verification. This role is ideal for an experienced engineer who enjoys hands-on modeling and analysis while collaborating closely with cross-functional teams.
This position is 100% on site in Chandler, AZ
Key Responsibilities
Lead a section of Systems Modeling Simulation engineers (8-15 personnel)
  • Be responsible for hiring, development, training, and retention of section talent
  • Provide leadership, management, feedback, and direction to team members including: time sheet approval, regular performance reviews, mentoring, training, engagement strategies, corrective actions, etc.
  • Responsible for day-to-day operation of the section/team including metrics, balancing of resources, adherence to process / standards, and resolving critical/urgent program/technical issues
  • Promote the professional development of the Systems Engineering team and foster a collaborative culture that sustains the momentum around employee engagement and inclusion, affordability, innovation, value growth and continuous improvement
  • Provide clear assignments, helps employees connect their efforts to the bigger picture, creates an inclusive work environment characterized by mutual respect and the valuing of differences, and builds a culture that motivates employees to their highest levels of performance
  • Develop and integrate mission-level and system-level performance models, algorithms, and simulations of missiles, interceptors, sensors, threats, and command-and-control systems
  • Perform operations and behavior analysis, mission effectiveness studies, and assess architecture alternatives for delivering an effect or capability within a broader campaign, including end-to-end engagement and campaign-level assessments
  • Perform trade studies, sensitivity analyses, and design of experiments to quantify performance, robustness, and mission utility
  • Document assumptions, methods, and results in clear technical reports and present findings to project teams and technical reviewers

Basic Qualifications
  • U.S. citizenship is required
  • Active US Government Secret security clearance
  • Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline (Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering; Physics; Applied Mathematics; Computer Science) and 8 years of related experience in modeling and simulation or operations analysis; or Master's degree and 6 years; or Ph.D. and 4 years
  • Management experience with the understanding and support of Northrop Grumman ProP, as well as knowledge of the Systems Modeling Simulation area
  • Deep knowledge of Systems Engineering principles (e.g., requirements development, interface management, verification, risk management, etc.)
  • Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams and managing senior-level personnel in an engineering environment
  • Demonstrated experience in modeling, simulation, and analysis for defense systems, preferably missiles, interceptors, or related weapon/mission systems
  • Hands-on experience with operations analysis and/or virtual simulation tools (e.g., AFSIM, NGTS, Brawler, STK, MATLAB/Simulink)
  • Strong background in probability, statistics, and design of experiments applied to weapon system and mission performance
  • People focused with excellent written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with senior leadership, customers, and technical stakeholders, including briefing complex analysis outcomes to program and customer leadership
  • Demonstrated time management skills and resolve to drive tasks to completion, both independently and in collaborative teams, and possess strong mentoring / training skills

Preferred Qualifications
  • Ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret and/or Special Access Program (SAP) access; active TS/SAP is highly preferred
  • Experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Missile/interceptor guidance, navigation, and control (GNC)
  • RF or EO/IR seeker/sensor modeling
  • Integrated air defense systems (IADS) or threat modeling
  • Electronic attack, electronic protection, and countermeasures modeling
  • Survivability, lethality, and vulnerability analysis at the weapon or mission level
  • Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, C/C++ or similar languages for algorithm development, model integration, scripting, and data analysis
  • Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and digital engineering practices (e.g., Cameo/SysML) and their use in linking models to requirements
  • Experience with real-time simulation and man-in-the-loop or hardware-in-the-loop test environments
  • Experience working within an Agile development workflow using tools such as Jira and Bitbucket/Git

Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:
https://www.northropgrumman.com/space
Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.
Northrop Grumman Total Rewards
Primary Level Salary Range: $139,100.00 - $208,700.00
The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.
Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.
Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939