Director of Systems Engineering

About Epirus

Epirus is a high-growth technology company developing software-defined high-power microwave (HPM) systems with devastating counter-electronics effects on modern drone threats. The Epirus Leonidas HPM family of products, empowered by innovations in AI and microelectronics, is human safe and cost-effective. Distinguishing itself from lasers, Leonidas excels against drone swarms while also bending the cost curve back in DoD's favor - taking drone-defeat costs from millions of dollars per drone to pennies on the dollar.

Job Summary: The Senior Director of Systems Engineering will lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for the full lifecycle of systems engineering, from concept development to verification and validation. Reporting to the Vice President of Engineering, this role requires a seasoned professional with extensive experience in architecting, developing, and validating complex systems, particularly within the defense sector. The Senior Director will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, uphold development rigor, and ensure compliance with DoD contract requirements, including maintaining an active SECRET clearance. 

Responsibilities: 

• Lead and mentor a diverse team of systems engineers, test engineers, and modeling and analysis specialists, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
• Oversee the development of new systems, including defining requirements, architecting solutions, and validating designs to meet customer needs and objectives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including chief engineers, value management, hardware engineering, software engineering, and manufacturing, to ensure alignment with project goals and objectives.
• Maintain compliance with DoD contract requirements, including maintaining an active SECRET clearance and ensuring adherence to relevant regulations and standards.
• Provide technical guidance and oversight to support the integration and verification of subsystems, as well as the development of test equipment and procedures.
• Work with the modeling and analysis team to leverage advanced techniques and methodologies for system analysis and performance prediction.
• Implement model-based system engineering (MBSE) approaches and smart choices to maintain a vetted technical baseline and drive efficiency throughout the development process.
• Collaborate closely with chief engineers to ensure that product designs align with technical requirements and strategic objectives.
• Plan and prioritize system engineering tasks, allocate resources effectively, and manage project timelines to meet delivery milestones.
• Contribute technical writing to proposals and other business development efforts.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in systems engineering, with a track record of successfully architecting, developing, and validating complex systems.
• Extensive experience working on DoD contracts, with a strong understanding of defense acquisition processes and requirements.
• Active SECRET clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance for DoD contracts.
• Strong leadership skills, with experience managing multidisciplinary teams and driving project execution.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience implementing model-based system engineering (MBSE) approaches and leveraging advanced tools and methodologies to streamline development processes.
• Experience working with Systems Engineering tools for Requirements Management and Product Lifecycle Management (e.g. JAMA, Polarion, DOORS) 
• Experience with MATLAB, Python or coding in 3rd or 4th generation languages 

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Experience working with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, agile environment.
• Familiarity with industry standards and best practices for systems engineering, such as INCOSE standards and DoDAF.
• Previous experience with system integration, verification, and validation activities, including test planning, execution, and analysis.
• Advanced certifications in systems engineering or related disciplines.
• Demonstrated ability to drive continuous improvement initiatives and optimize development processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.  

ITAR REQUIREMENTS: 

• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.  

People are the most important part of Epirus – and always come first. We don’t believe in the word impossible and are always asking “why not” as work to usher in a new paradigm of power efficiency. Our fast-growing team is agile, creative, and innovative. We support a culture of constant learning and sense of belonging among our team members and know that mentorship matters. We embrace diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and beyond. To deliver on our mission, we are always looking for problem solvers, changemakers and innovators to join our fast-growing team.