Systems/Software Engineering Manager

Department: Engineering

Location: Austin, TX, Mountain View, CA

Compensation: $176K – $261K • Offers Equity

Employment Type: FullTime

Company Overview:

Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup founded by two former Navy electrical engineers with a proven track record in robotics and software. We are developing an autonomous gun turret using advanced computer vision and control systems to precisely detect, track, and neutralize enemy drones.

With an engineering-first culture, ACS values technical excellence and innovation. Backed by our founders’ successful exits from two previous ventures acquired for a combined $180M in 2022, we are committed to ensuring that the groundbreaking technologies we develop have a real-world impact.

Position Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Systems/Software Engineering Manager to lead and grow a multidisciplinary engineering team working across firmware, software, electrical, and mechanical systems. This role is both technical and managerial, requiring hands-on engineering judgment alongside strong leadership, execution, and communication skills. The ideal candidate will help drive architecture decisions, guide system-level integration, and ensure on-time delivery of complex, mission-critical defense products.

What You’ll Do:

• Team Leadership and Development: Lead, mentor, and manage a team of engineers across multiple disciplines. Foster a high-performance, engineering-first culture focused on accountability, technical excellence, and continuous improvement.

• Technical Oversight and Architecture: Provide technical direction and review for firmware, software, and hardware designs. 

• Ensure system architectures are robust, scalable, and aligned with performance and reliability requirements.

• Project Execution: Own engineering execution from concept through deployment. Partner with leadership to define priorities, timelines, and milestones, and ensure projects are delivered on schedule and within scope.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with product, operations, and leadership to align engineering efforts with company objectives and customer needs.

• System Integration and Validation: Oversee system integration, testing, and validation efforts to ensure designs meet military-grade performance, safety, and reliability standards.

• Process and Documentation: Establish and maintain engineering processes, design reviews, and documentation standards to support rapid development and long-term maintainability.

What You’ll Need:

• Experience: 7+ years of professional engineering experience, with at least 2+ years in an engineering leadership or management role.

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.

• Technical Background: Strong understanding of embedded systems, robotics, autonomous systems, or defense-related technologies.

• Leadership Skills: Proven ability to lead teams, manage performance, and develop engineers at varying career stages.

• Systems Thinking: Experience overseeing complex, multidisciplinary systems involving software, firmware, electronics, and mechanical components.

• Execution Focus: Strong project management instincts with the ability to balance speed, quality, and technical risk.

• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

You’ll Stand Out:

•  Defense or Robotics Experience: Prior experience in defense systems, robotics, autonomous platforms, or safety-critical environments.

• Hands-On Engineering Background: Previous experience as a senior or staff-level engineer in embedded, firmware, or robotics systems.

• Scaling Teams: Experience building or scaling engineering teams in fast-paced startup environments.

• Systems Integration: Deep familiarity with integrating sensors, actuators, control systems, and real-time software into cohesive products.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary

• ACS Equity Package

• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance

• Paid Time Off

Allen Control Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Allen Control Systems prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
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