Strategic Defense Solutions is seeking a Senior Systems Engineering Manager to lead systems engineering execution on high-impact Department of Defense programs. This role is for a proven leader who understands that disciplined systems engineering—and the effective management of engineering talent—directly enables mission success and national security outcomes. 

You will provide technical and functional leadership to teams of systems engineers, with accountability for lifecycle rigor across requirements, architecture, integration, and verification. You will manage and allocate engineering resources to meet program priorities, develop and mentor senior engineering talent, and ensure the right skills are aligned to the right mission needs. This role requires decisive leadership, sound technical judgment, and the ability to translate mission objectives into executable plans in high-consequence environments. 

What You Will Do 

• Technical Leadership: Lead and mentor a team of systems engineers, providing technical direction and applying sound systems engineering principles across the full development lifecycle. 

• Program Execution: Own engineering execution for scope, schedule, and cost, with direct involvement in project planning, Earned Value Management (EVM), and risk management activities. 

• Process & Compliance: Ensure disciplined use of established development processes, lifecycle plans, and tools, including adherence to avionics certification standards and ARP-4754-aligned systems development. 

• Bids & Proposals: Lead, review, and provide technical guidance for proposal and capture activities, ensuring credible, executable engineering content. 

• People & Resource Management: Make hiring and staffing decisions, conduct performance management, address personnel matters, and build a highly engaged, high-performing engineering team. 

• Organizational Leadership: Partner with peers and leadership to plan and execute broader departmental and strategic initiatives. 

Qualifications You Must Have 

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 10 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 7 years of experience 

• Active and transferable Secret U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date with the ability to obtain Top Secret after start. 

• Experience in a project engineering or technical lead role with cost and schedule accountability, including a strong background in Earned Value Management. 

Qualifications We Prefer 

• Demonstrated adaptability and resilience in dynamic environments with changing priorities and resource constraints. 

• Strong emotional intelligence, maintaining composure and objectivity under pressure. 

• Highly self-motivated leader capable of fostering a positive, accountable team culture. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

• Team-first mindset with a focus on collective success. 

• Strong analytical, organizational, and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent efforts. 

• Ability to assess engineering performance against plan and proactively drive corrective actions. 

• Experience developing and maintaining staffing plans, including recruiting, hiring, and onboarding. 

• Proven ability to coach, mentor, and develop engineers. 

• Experience with Agile development methodologies. 

• Familiarity with the Atlassian tool suite, including JIRA. 

• Ability to collaborate effectively with engineers, program leadership, and cross-functional stakeholders. 

What We Offer: 

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance  

• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees  

• Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option  

• Tuition reimbursement program 

• Student Loan Repayment Program  

• Life insurance and disability coverage  

• Optional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection 

• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits 

• Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning  

• Adoption Assistance           

• Autism Benefit  

• Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions  

• Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program 

• Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits  

• Bright Horizons, child and elder care services 

• Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program  

• May be eligible for relocation 

• And more!  

Learn More & Apply Now! 

Mission Systems:  

Do you want to be a part of something bigger? A team whose impact stretches across the world, and even beyond? At Collins Aerospace, our Mission Systems team helps civilian, military and government customers complete their most complex missions — whatever and wherever they may be. Our customers depend on us for intelligent and secure communications, missionized systems for specialized aircraft and spacecraft and collaborative space solutions. By joining our team, you’ll have your own critical part to play in ensuring our customer succeeds today while anticipating their needs for tomorrow. Are you up for the challenge? Join our mission today. 

* Please consider the following role type definitions as you apply for this role. 

Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products. 

At Collins, the paths we pave together lead to limitless possibility. And the bonds we form – with our customers and with each other – propel us all higher, again and again. 

Apply now and be part of the team that’s redefining aerospace, every day.