Director - Systems Engineering
Team: Systems Engineering
Location: Kearny, NJ
Commitment: Full-time
Workplace Type: onsite
You will also be responsible for ensuring that all applicable Company engineering disciplines are integrated across workflows, requirements, interfaces, and standards. You will lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of systems engineers, and foster a collaborative and innovative work environment capable of solving the complexities of fusion energy.
The ideal candidate is a high-autonomy leader who can move quickly to scale a leading team and implement the rigorous systems engineering frameworks required to commercialize fusion energy at scale. You will serve as a mentor, a strategist, and the primary advocate for systems-level thinking across the entire organization.
Key Responsibility Areas:
- Manage technical baselines including requirements, interfaces, configurations, KPIs, data management, standards, protocols & procedures, and verification & validation processes.
- Establish and manage processes and tools across the product development and operational lifecycle.
- Efficiently and systematically convert functional requirements into a scalable system architecture and execution strategy.
- Ensure seamless integration between the physics, engineering, manufacturing, construction, and test/ops teams.
- Work with leadership and program management to develop and manage protocols for making and tracking key decisions and change control management, ensuring transparency and accountability across the company.
- Ensure the efficient and systematic conversion of functional requirements into a scalable system architecture and execution strategy.
- Own architecture PBS and WBS.
- Build a high-performance systems engineering team. Identify skill gaps and strategically grow the department to meet program milestones.
- Actively coach and mentor junior and senior engineers. Create professional growth plans and foster a culture of technical excellence and collaboration.
- Develop the internal framework for the systems engineering group, defining roles, responsibilities, and ensure maximum efficiency and transparency across the organization.
- Set clear KPIs for the team, conduct regular performance reviews, and manage resource allocation across various technical workstreams.
- Promote a collaborative, "fail fast, learn faster" environment while maintaining a relentless focus on safety and rigorous engineering standards.
- Coordinate with suppliers, vendors, and internal manufacturing engineering teams.
- Coordinate design reviews and program management functions.
Ideal Experience & Skillsets:
- First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) Experience: Proven experience integrating large-scale, complex R&D projects (e.g., aerospace, particle accelerators, nuclear, or advanced manufacturing).
- Technical Breadth: Deep familiarity with mechanical, electrical, fluid, and control systems. Experience with Siemens NX or similar PLM/CAD tools is essential.
- Proven Management Track Record: 8+ years of engineering experience, including 3+ years in a formal people-leadership role (lead, manager, director, or VP).
- Strategic Mindset: Can see the "big picture" of the fusion pilot plant while ensuring the team executes on the smallest interface details.
- Adaptability: Thrives in a fast-paced, "many hats" startup environment where priorities can shift rapidly.
- Collaboration: A team player who views the success of the physics and manufacturing teams as their own success.
- Communication Excellence: Ability to translate complex technical trade-offs into actionable insights for executive leadership and non-technical stakeholders.
- Interpersonal Skills: A "servant leader" mindset with a track record of helping others succeed and navigating complex team dynamics.
- Safety Mindset: Prioritization of safety and reliability in high-energy or hazardous environments.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree or greater in a relevant engineering field.
- Occasional travel and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs in a lab/industrial setting.
Company Benefits:
- Salary range $135,000-$250,000
- Comprehensive health benefits (e.g. medical/dental/vision)
- Employee equity stock options
- 20 days PTO
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