Senior Systems Engineering Manager

US-VA-STERLING-291 ~ 22640 Davis Dr ~ DAVIS

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance​

Security Clearance Type:

Secret - Current

Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required on day 1

Senior Systems Engineering Manager - Simulation & Training (Onsite)

At Collins Aerospace, we’re working side-by-side with our customers and partners to dream, design, and deliver solutions that redefine the future of our industry. By reaching across the markets, we serve and drawing on our vast portfolio of expertise, we are making the most powerful concepts in aerospace a reality every day. As the industry faces new challenges and embraces new technologies, Collins is collaborating and innovating with our customers to bring big ideas to life. And together, we're redefining the future of aerospace.

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.

This position is located on site in Sterling, VA and requires an active US secret security clearance.

What You Will Do :

1. Technical Leadership: Lead and mentor a team of systems engineers, providing technical direction and applying sound systems engineering principles across the full development lifecycle.
2. Program Execution: Own engineering execution for scope, schedule, and cost, with direct involvement in project planning, Earned Value Management (EVM), and risk management activities.
3. 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 where applicable
4. Bids & Proposals: Lead, review, and provide technical guidance for proposal and capture activities, ensuring credible, executable engineering content.
5. People & Resource Management: Make hiring and staffing decisions, conduct performance management, address personnel matters, and build a highly engaged, high-performing engineering team.
6. Organizational Leadership: Partner with peers and leadership to plan and execute broader departmental and strategic initiatives.

Qualifications You Must Have:

1. 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 or in absence of a degree, 14 years of relevant experience
2. Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date
3. Successfully executed in a previous senior engineering leadership role; Demonstrated communication and presentation skills with the ability to seamlessly present to the appropriate information to numerous stakeholders
4. Experience working with complex system-of-systems from both a development and maintenance perspective and from an architectural perspective; Understanding/familiarity with the following software technologies: Requirements database (e.g. DOORS, JAMA etc.), Atlassian suite of tools (Confluence, JIRA), Linux, C/C++ Python or other programming languages, fundamental concepts of systems engineering (reqs allocation, management, verification and validation etc)

Qualifications We Prefer:

1. Advanced expertise in Earned Value Management (EVM) principles, tools, and application
2. Ability to lead technical discussions with internal teams as well as customers to help inform tech roadmaps
3. Manage team performance, career development, succession plans, and talent reviews to set the team up for success
4. Top Secret Clearance
5. Demonstrated adaptability and resilience in dynamic environments with changing priorities and resource constraints.
6. Strong emotional intelligence, maintaining composure and objectivity under pressure.
7. Highly self-motivated leader capable of fostering a positive, accountable team culture.
8. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
9. Team-first mindset with a focus on collective success.
10. Ability to assess engineering performance against plan and proactively drive corrective actions.
11. Experience developing and maintaining staffing plans, including recruiting, hiring, and onboarding.
12. Experience with Agile development methodologies.
13. Familiarity with the Atlassian tool suite, including JIRA.

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.

What We Offer:

Some of our competitive benefits package includes:

1. Medical, dental, and vision insurance
2. Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees
3. Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option
4. Tuition reimbursement program
5. Student Loan Repayment Program
6. Life insurance and disability coverage
7. Optional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection
8. Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
9. Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning
10. Adoption Assistance
11. Autism Benefit
12. Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions
13. Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program
14. Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits
15. Bright Horizons, child and elder care services
16. Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program
17. Eligible for relocation assistance
18. And more!

Learn More & Apply Now!

*Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to 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.