We are seeking an experienced
Senior Manager, Systems Engineering to lead our Systems Engineering team and drive system-level requirements, architecture, integration, verification, and validation across our aircraft programs.
This is a hands-on technical leadership role requiring strong systems-engineering fundamentals combined with meaningful depth in at least one engineering discipline. The successful candidate will work closely with hardware, software, GNC, aeromechanical, powertrain, manufacturing, and flight-test teams to ensure Pivotal aircraft are developed and verified as integrated systems.
Responsibilities- Lead and mentor Pivotal's Systems Engineering team, including requirements, systems integration, and verification activities.
- Own the aircraft and subsystem requirements-management process in JAMA, including decomposition, allocation, traceability, baselines, change management, and verification closure.
- Establish and maintain clear traceability from system requirements through lower-level requirements, verification requirements, test activities, and objective evidence.
- Lead development and execution of aircraft-level Verification and Validation (V&V) plans, compliance matrices, test requirements, and verification reports.
- Partner with engineering and flight-test teams to define verification through analysis, inspection, bench testing, SIL/HIL, ground test, UAV flight, and crewed flight as appropriate.
- Lead system architecture, functional allocation, and critical hardware/software and subsystem interfaces.
- Develop and maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and resolve cross-functional interface issues.
- Drive technical integration across GNC, embedded software, electrical, battery, propulsion, aeromechanical, manufacturing, and flight test.
- Lead or support technical reviews including SRR, CoDR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and aircraft readiness reviews.
- Ensure system safety, failure behavior, degraded modes, and identified hazards are appropriately captured in requirements and verification.
- Support aircraft bring-up, troubleshooting, ground testing, and flight-test readiness.
- Develop practical, scalable Systems Engineering processes that improve execution without creating unnecessary process overhead.
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree or higher in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
- 10+ years of engineering experience developing complex multidisciplinary systems, with demonstrated technical leadership or people-management experience.
- Strong experience with requirements development, decomposition, allocation, traceability, and verification.
- Experience with JAMA, DOORS, Polarion, Codebeamer, or similar requirements-management tools; JAMA experience strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated experience developing and executing system-level V&V programs.
- Experience integrating complex hardware and software systems from development through test and release.
- Experience developing system architectures and managing subsystem interfaces and ICDs.
- Demonstrated technical depth in at least one discipline such as aircraft design, mechanical systems, electrical systems, embedded software, controls/GNC, autonomy, propulsion, or system integration and test.
- Ability to investigate and resolve complex multidisciplinary technical problems across engineering teams.
- Experience with aerospace, spacecraft, robotics, autonomous vehicles, or other safety-critical electromechanical products strongly preferred.
- Experience with HIL/SIL, aircraft ground test, flight test, system safety, or structured aerospace development processes is preferred.
- Strong communication skills and demonstrated ability to lead and influence cross-functional technical teams.
The ideal candidate is a
builder and technical integrator, not simply a process owner. They understand the value of requirements discipline and rigorous verification while maintaining the speed, judgment, and hands-on technical engagement required to develop new aircraft.
Attributes aligned with Core Values- Safety Above All: Demonstrates a proactive safety mindset by embedding safety into daily work, identifying and mitigating risks, encouraging open dialogue about safety concerns, and continuously improving practices and protocols.
- Customer Focus: Puts customers at the center of every action by understanding their challenges, delivering meaningful value, and supporting their success.
- Work Better Together: Seeks and values diverse perspectives, builds cross-functional relationships, and fosters trust through empathetic, fact-based communication and commitment to shared decisions.
- Be the Pilot: Drives results with clarity and purpose by focusing on what matters most, adapting to change, taking initiative, and owning outcomes.
- Embrace the Unknown: Navigates ambiguity with resilience and bold thinking, challenges the status quo, and combines innovative ideas with practical approaches to overcome obstacles and drive progress.
- Respect for People: Fosters a high-performance culture grounded in respect, professionalism, and support by balancing high expectations with a healthy, collaborative environment and being a trusted, dependable teammate.
Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States and willing to work onsite at our HQ office in Palo Alto, CA.
Pivotal offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and 401k plans.
