Aerospace Careers

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Senior Manager, Systems Engineering | Aerospace & Defense Leadership | Waco, TX

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Senior Manager, Systems Engineering

📍 Waco, Texas (Onsite)
🕒 9/80 Schedule – Every Other Friday Off
💰 $190,000 - $220,000 Base Salary
🚚 Relocation Assistance Available
✈️ Aerospace, Defense & Advanced Mission Systems
👥 Engineering Leadership Opportunity

Lead High-Impact Engineering Teams Supporting Advanced Aerospace & Defense Programs

An industry-leading aerospace and defense organization is seeking a Senior Manager, Systems Engineering to lead and develop multidisciplinary engineering teams supporting complex aircraft modification, systems integration, mission systems, and advanced technology programs.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced engineering leader who combines strong technical depth with proven people leadership, strategic planning, and program execution capabilities.

You'll oversee teams responsible for the design, integration, and delivery of sophisticated systems supporting both military and commercial customers while playing a key role in shaping departmental strategy, workforce planning, technical excellence, and long-term business growth.

If you're passionate about leading engineers, solving complex technical challenges, influencing organizational strategy, and delivering mission-critical solutions, this role offers outstanding visibility, responsibility, and career progression.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

This is not a traditional engineering management role.

You'll operate at the intersection of engineering leadership, program execution, customer engagement, workforce planning, and strategic business growth.

You'll help define how engineering teams support future programs, influence hiring and staffing strategies, drive technical excellence, and partner directly with senior leadership to ensure successful program execution.

Highlights include:

  • Lead multiple engineering teams supporting complex aerospace and defense programs

  • Direct influence on departmental strategy and workforce growth

  • High visibility with executive leadership and customers

  • Opportunity to shape future engineering capabilities and talent development

  • Significant involvement in proposal development and business growth initiatives

  • Exposure to both military and commercial aviation programs

  • Strong technical and leadership career progression opportunities

What You'll Be Doing

Engineering Leadership & Team Development

  • Lead, mentor, and develop a diverse team of Systems Engineers and technical professionals

  • Create a culture focused on technical excellence, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement

  • Establish training and professional development plans to support long-term organizational goals

  • Support employee growth, performance management, succession planning, and talent development initiatives

  • Foster strong collaboration across engineering, program management, operations, and customer teams

Strategic Workforce Planning

  • Forecast engineering resource requirements based on current and future program demand

  • Develop hiring strategies and workforce plans to support business growth

  • Lead recruiting efforts and participate in candidate selection processes

  • Ensure teams are appropriately staffed to meet program commitments and customer expectations

  • Support long-term capability development across the engineering organization

Program & Technical Leadership

  • Provide leadership and oversight across multiple engineering programs and integration efforts

  • Partner closely with Program Managers and Project Engineers to ensure successful execution

  • Review engineering schedules, budgets, risks, and resource allocations

  • Support engineering teams throughout the full program lifecycle

  • Ensure technical solutions align with customer requirements, budgets, and schedules

Systems Engineering Excellence

  • Lead and review systems engineering activities including:

    • Requirements analysis

    • System architecture development

    • Trade studies

    • System integration planning

    • Verification and validation activities

    • Technical baseline management

  • Ensure customer requirements are translated into clear, verifiable system-level requirements

  • Review engineering trade studies for technical accuracy, completeness, and feasibility

  • Support development of complex integrated system architectures

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

  • Serve as a key technical leader during customer interactions

  • Build strong relationships with military, government, commercial, and internal stakeholders

  • Present technical information to executive leadership, customers, and engineering teams

  • Represent the organization during technical reviews, program meetings, and customer engagements

  • Facilitate collaboration between engineering, program management, and customers to ensure alignment and success

Business Growth & Proposal Support

  • Support new business capture activities and proposal development efforts

  • Participate in labor estimating, Basis of Estimate (BOE) creation, and technical proposal development

  • Contribute to growth strategies and future program planning

  • Support investment planning and technical roadmap development

Department Operations & Financial Management

  • Manage departmental budgets and overhead spending

  • Ensure engineering teams have the tools, resources, and infrastructure required to succeed

  • Monitor departmental performance against strategic goals and operating plans

  • Drive process improvements and operational efficiencies across the organization

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline

  • Minimum 12 years of relevant engineering experience with a Bachelor's Degree

OR

  • Minimum 10 years of relevant engineering experience with an advanced degree

  • Previous engineering leadership or management experience

  • Strong understanding of Systems Engineering principles and methodologies

  • Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams

  • Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills

Highly Preferred Experience

Systems Engineering

  • Requirements management

  • System architecture development

  • Trade study execution and evaluation

  • System integration

  • Verification & validation

  • Technical baseline management

  • Full engineering lifecycle experience

Leadership & Program Management

  • Functional management experience

  • IPT (Integrated Product Team) leadership

  • Workforce planning and hiring

  • Resource forecasting

  • Budget management

  • Engineering operations leadership

  • Strategic planning and execution

Business Development

  • Proposal development

  • Basis of Estimate (BOE) creation

  • Technical volume development

  • Customer engagement and presentations

Aerospace, Defense & Mission Systems

Experience supporting:

  • Aircraft modification programs

  • Avionics integration

  • Mission systems

  • Defense platforms

  • Government programs

  • Complex system integration efforts

Cybersecurity Experience

Experience supporting cybersecurity-focused engineering teams or cybersecurity programs is considered a strong plus.

Leadership Competencies

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

  • Strategic thinking and planning

  • Exceptional problem-solving abilities

  • Strong business acumen

  • Critical thinking and sound decision-making

  • Team leadership and coaching skills

  • Executive-level communication capabilities

  • Accountability and ownership mentality

  • Ability to influence across multiple functions and stakeholder groups

Security & Eligibility Requirements

Candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Preferred

  • Active Secret Clearance

Compensation & Benefits

💰 Base Salary: $190,000 - $220,000

Additional benefits include:

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

  • Retirement savings plans

  • Paid time off and company holidays

  • Professional development opportunities

  • Relocation assistance for qualified candidates

  • Interview travel reimbursement

  • Long-term career advancement opportunities

  • 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off

Why Join?

This is an outstanding opportunity to lead talented engineering teams working on complex, high-visibility aerospace and defense programs that have a direct impact on mission success.

You'll help shape engineering strategy, influence future business growth, develop the next generation of engineering talent, and work alongside some of the industry's most respected technical professionals.

If you're an experienced engineering leader looking for a role that combines technical depth, people leadership, business impact, and long-term career growth, we'd love to hear from you.

 

Lead Electrical Engineer – Aircraft Systems Integration | Aerospace & Defense | Waco, TX

Lead Electrical Engineer – Aircraft Systems Integration

📍 Waco, Texas (100% Onsite)
💰 $150,000 - $170,000 Base Salary
🚚 Relocation Assistance Available
🕒 9/80 Schedule – Every Other Friday Off
✈️ Aerospace, Defense & Aircraft Modification Programs

Design the Systems That Power Mission-Critical Aircraft

An industry-leading aerospace and defense organization is seeking a Lead Electrical Engineer to support advanced aircraft modification and systems integration programs.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced electrical engineer who enjoys hands-on engineering, solving complex integration challenges, and seeing their designs deployed on real-world aircraft platforms.

You'll play a key role in the design, integration, testing, and verification of aircraft electrical systems, supporting major avionics upgrades, mission system integrations, power distribution systems, and aircraft modernization initiatives.

Whether your experience comes from aerospace, transportation, automotive, military vehicles, rail, heavy equipment, industrial controls, or other complex electrical systems environments, this role offers the chance to apply your expertise to some of the most advanced airborne platforms in operation today.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

This isn't a desk-only design role.

You'll be involved throughout the full engineering lifecycle—from requirements and design through integration, troubleshooting, aircraft testing, and operational deployment.

You'll work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams while gaining direct exposure to aircraft systems, advanced avionics technologies, and mission-critical defense programs.

Highlights include:

  • Work directly on operational aircraft platforms

  • Lead complex electrical integration and modification projects

  • Design and validate aircraft power and signal interfaces

  • Participate in lab testing and aircraft testing activities

  • Influence technical solutions and engineering decisions

  • Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership

  • Outstanding long-term growth opportunities within aerospace and defense

What You'll Be Doing

Aircraft Electrical Systems Design

  • Design and develop electrical integration solutions for aircraft modification programs

  • Support avionics upgrades and aircraft systems modernization initiatives

  • Develop electrical interface designs and power distribution solutions

  • Apply electrical requirements and design standards to complex integration efforts

  • Generate professional engineering drawings, documentation, and technical reports

Systems Integration & Verification

  • Support integration of electrical, avionics, and mission systems

  • Evaluate wiring architectures, signal interfaces, and power requirements

  • Verify electrical interfaces and system compatibility

  • Troubleshoot integration issues and identify root causes

  • Support hardware installation and aircraft modification activities

Testing & Validation

  • Develop electrical test plans and verification procedures

  • Conduct testing in laboratory and aircraft environments

  • Analyze test results and resolve technical issues

  • Support qualification, acceptance, and operational testing activities

  • Ensure systems meet performance and customer requirements

Technical Leadership

  • Serve as a technical leader within the Electrical Engineering team

  • Support project planning, budget tracking, and schedule management

  • Mentor and develop junior engineers

  • Coordinate activities across engineering disciplines

  • Drive technical excellence and engineering best practices

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline

AND

  • Minimum 9 years of relevant engineering experience

OR

  • Master's Degree with 7+ years of relevant experience

OR

  • 13+ years of relevant experience in lieu of degree

Required Technical Experience

  • Electrical systems integration

  • Wiring and signal interface design

  • Electrical design for complex systems

  • Troubleshooting and verification testing

  • Interface control and systems integration activities

  • Experience with at least one electrical CAD platform

CAD Tool Experience

Experience with one or more of the following:

  • Visual Engineer

  • AutoCAD Electrical

  • Capital Harness

  • Similar electrical design and harness development tools

Highly Preferred Experience

Wire Harness & Interconnect Design

Candidates with experience in:

  • Wire harness design

  • Electrical routing

  • Connector selection

  • Signal integrity

  • Power distribution systems

  • Interface design

will be especially attractive.

Industry-specific aerospace experience is not required. Candidates from other complex engineering environments with strong electrical integration backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Aerospace & Military Standards

Exposure to any of the following is beneficial:

  • SAE AS50881

  • MIL-STD-704

  • MIL-E-7016

  • SAE ARP4754

  • MIL-STD-461

  • MIL-STD-810

  • MIL-STD-882

  • MIL-HDBK-516

Additional Preferred Experience

  • Aircraft systems integration

  • Avionics upgrades

  • Military aircraft modification programs

  • Power distribution systems

  • Digital and analog signal interfaces

  • System troubleshooting and root cause analysis

  • Engineering leadership or task leadership experience

Technical Knowledge Areas

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of:

  • Digital and analog signal interfaces

  • Voltage drop considerations

  • Timing requirements

  • Data communications and handshaking protocols

  • Electrical power distribution

  • System-level integration challenges

  • Verification and validation processes

Work Environment

This role combines office, laboratory, and aircraft environments.

Candidates should be comfortable:

  • Working directly on aircraft

  • Operating in aircraft hangars

  • Climbing into and around aircraft

  • Supporting installation and test activities

  • Working in confined areas when necessary

  • Participating in hands-on troubleshooting efforts

Security Requirements

Candidates must:

  • Be U.S. Citizens

  • Be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense Security Clearance

Preferred

  • Active DoD Secret Clearance

Travel & Schedule

✈️ Less than 10% travel

🕒 9/80 Schedule

Enjoy every other Friday off while supporting exciting aerospace programs.

Occasional overtime may be required based on program schedules and testing activities.

Compensation & Benefits

💰 Base Salary: $150,000 - $170,000

Additional benefits include:

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

  • Retirement savings plans

  • Paid time off and company holidays

  • Relocation assistance for qualified candidates

  • Interview travel reimbursement

  • Professional development opportunities

  • Long-term career advancement within a growing aerospace organization

Why Join?

This is a unique opportunity to work on highly visible aircraft modernization and systems integration programs where your engineering expertise will directly influence the performance, reliability, and capability of mission-critical aircraft.

You'll join a team that values technical excellence, innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning while offering exposure to cutting-edge aerospace technologies and complex engineering challenges.

If you're an experienced Electrical Engineer with strong systems integration and wire harness design experience looking for your next career-defining opportunity, we'd love to hear from you.

 

Lead Electrical Engineer (Defense Electronics) – Cincinnati, OH

Lead Electrical Engineer (Defense & Aerospace Electronics)

📍 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
🕒 Schedule: 4/10 Work Week (Four 10-Hour Days)
💼 Employment Type: Full-Time
💰 Base Salary: $142,000 – $161,000
🚚 Relocation Assistance: Available for Ideal Candidates
✈️ Travel: Occasional
🔒 Security Clearance: Must be Eligible to Obtain Secret Clearance
🚫 Visa Sponsorship: Not Available

Overview

A leading defense and aerospace organization is seeking a Lead Electrical Engineer to support the design and development of ruggedized electronic systems for advanced ordnance and mission-critical applications.

This role combines hands-on electrical design with technical leadership responsibilities, including product development, testing, root cause investigations, customer interaction, proposal support, and mentoring engineering teams. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in analog and digital circuit design, power electronics, testing, and product lifecycle development within highly regulated environments.

Key Responsibilities

Electrical Design & Development

  • Design analog and digital electronics for ruggedized defense applications.

  • Perform circuit analysis, simulations, and tolerance studies using SPICE and engineering calculations.

  • Develop and refine technical requirements and ensure compliance.

  • Generate schematics, engineering documentation, and change proposals.

  • Support product development from concept through qualification and production.

Testing & Validation

  • Develop test plans and test reports for:

    • Design Verification

    • Qualification Testing

    • Product Performance Testing

    • Firing Properties Testing

  • Lead testing activities throughout the product lifecycle.

  • Troubleshoot hardware using oscilloscopes, function generators, meters, and lab equipment.

Technical Leadership

  • Lead design reviews throughout all development phases.

  • Serve as primary technical interface for internal and external customers.

  • Lead root cause investigations using structured methodologies:

    • 8D

    • Fishbone Analysis

    • Cause & Effect Analysis

  • Provide technical input for proposals, labor estimates, and project planning.

  • Mentor and develop junior electrical engineers.

  • Manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Required Qualifications

Education

  • Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.

Experience

  • 9+ years of relevant electrical engineering experience.

  • 5+ years designing analog circuits including:

    • Operational Amplifiers

    • Differential Amplifiers

    • Filters

    • LDOs

    • Data Converters

  • 5+ years designing digital circuits including:

    • Logic Gates

    • Flip-Flops

    • Timers

    • Digital Filters

  • 4+ years working with power conversion systems:

    • AC/DC

    • DC/DC

    • DC/AC

    • Linear & Switching Power Supplies

  • 5+ years troubleshooting electronic systems using laboratory equipment.

  • 4+ years using schematic capture and PCB design tools such as:

    • Altium

    • PADS

  • 4+ years leading technical projects from concept through completion.

  • 4+ years creating engineering documentation and participating in design reviews.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with:

    • MEMS Accelerometers

    • Temperature Sensors

    • Pressure Sensors

    • Gyroscopes

  • Serial communication protocols:

    • UART

    • SPI

    • I2C

  • Root Cause Analysis methodologies.

  • EMI, ESD, and protection circuit design.

  • Power conditioning and power supply design.

  • Design for extreme environments:

    • Shock

    • Vibration

    • Temperature

    • Humidity

  • Experience with Electronic Safety & Arming Devices (ESADs).

  • Experience working to MIL-STD-1316 and MIL-STD-1901A standards.

  • Experience presenting designs to military safety review boards.

  • Energetic materials testing and integration experience.

Key Skills

✔ Analog Circuit Design
✔ Digital Circuit Design
✔ Power Electronics
✔ PCB Design (Altium, PADS)
✔ SPICE Simulation
✔ Root Cause Analysis
✔ Test & Validation Engineering
✔ Technical Leadership
✔ Requirements Development
✔ Defense Electronics

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a senior electrical engineer with experience designing ruggedized electronics for aerospace, defense, ordnance, or other high-reliability applications. They should possess strong technical leadership skills, experience leading development programs, and the ability to guide projects from concept through qualification and production.

Candidate Snapshot

Requirement

Details

Experience

9+ Years

Seniority

Mid-Senior

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Industry

Aerospace / Defense

Leadership

Technical Lead

Security Clearance

Eligible for Secret Clearance

Travel

Occasional

Relocation

Available

Why Consider This Opportunity?

  • Four-day work week (4/10 schedule).

  • Lead cutting-edge defense and aerospace electronics programs.

  • High visibility technical leadership role.

  • Opportunity to mentor engineers and influence product strategy.

  • Work on mission-critical systems supporting national defense applications.

 

Business Segment Director – Space Mission Systems | TS/SCI Poly | Scottsdale, AZ

Business Segment Director – Space Mission Systems

📍 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona / Remote Flexibility Available
🏢 Work Model: Remote with Travel Requirements
💼 Employment Type: Full-Time
🔐 Security Clearance Required: Active TS/SCI Clearance Required at Time of Hire
🔒 CI Polygraph Preferred (Must be eligible and willing to obtain post-hire if not currently held)

💰 Compensation & Benefits

  • Base Salary: $200,000 – $290,000
    (Depending on experience and qualifications)

  • Full comprehensive benefits package

  • Relocation assistance available for ideal candidates

  • Interview travel reimbursement provided

📍 Location & Travel Expectations

  • The role can ultimately be performed remotely with travel as needed

  • However, the first 3 months will require significant onsite presence in Scottsdale to support onboarding, stakeholder integration, and operational ramp-up

  • Following this initial period, candidates may be based remotely but must be willing to travel when required for program, customer, and leadership engagements

🚀 The Opportunity

A leading defense and aerospace organization is seeking a Business Segment Director to lead a portfolio of advanced national security and space mission programs supporting critical missions globally.

The portfolio includes technologies and programs related to:

  • Data networking & secure data transport

  • Cybersecurity & high-assurance cryptography

  • Mission-critical space systems

  • Satellites & embedded mission technologies

  • Secure communications & networking platforms

This executive leadership role oversees high-value development and production programs and is responsible for strategic growth, operational execution, customer engagement, financial performance, and organizational leadership across a highly complex classified portfolio.

The ideal candidate is a proven defense industry executive with deep expertise across space systems, secure technologies, avionics, cybersecurity, cryptographic solutions, or embedded mission systems, combined with strong operational leadership and business development capabilities.

🔧 Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Growth

  • Lead and expand a portfolio of mission-critical defense and space programs

  • Develop and execute short- and long-term business growth strategies

  • Identify and capture adjacent and new business opportunities

  • Drive business development and customer engagement initiatives

  • Support strategic portfolio growth within national security and classified environments

Program & Operational Leadership

  • Oversee execution of complex development and production programs

  • Manage financial, operational, schedule, and customer satisfaction objectives

  • Ensure successful delivery across highly classified and technically complex environments

  • Balance mission urgency, execution discipline, and customer expectations

  • Lead operational performance across multiple programs and business initiatives

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

  • Serve as senior interface to government and defense customers

  • Build trusted relationships across:

    • Space systems organizations

    • Cryptographic and cybersecurity communities

    • Networking and avionics sectors

    • Certification and mission authorities

  • Communicate effectively with executive, operational, and technical stakeholders

  • Represent the business segment with senior internal and external leadership

Organizational & Team Leadership

  • Lead and mentor high-performing engineering and program leadership teams

  • Drive accountability, collaboration, and organizational alignment

  • Support transformation and change management initiatives

  • Foster an inclusive, innovative, and mission-focused culture

  • Build and sustain high-performing cross-functional teams

Technical & Mission Leadership

  • Support programs involving:

    • Satellites and space mission systems

    • Secure networking solutions

    • High-assurance cryptographic systems

    • Embedded mission technologies

    • Secure communications platforms

  • Collaborate across engineering, operations, and customer teams to deliver mission success

  • Support Agile development environments and innovation initiatives

  • Identify opportunities for AI-enabled operational improvements and efficiencies

✅ Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree required

  • 15+ years of leadership experience within defense contracting or related national security environments

  • Proven experience managing:

    • Complex development programs

    • Production programs

    • Large portfolios or business segments

  • Strong expertise in one or more of the following areas:

    • Space systems

    • Satellites

    • Cryptography

    • Cybersecurity

    • Secure networking

    • National security systems

  • Active TS/SCI clearance required at time of hire

  • Ability and willingness to obtain CI Polygraph clearance

  • U.S. Citizenship required

⭐ Preferred Background

  • Embedded systems or avionics experience

  • Experience supporting compartmented programs

  • Agile development environment experience

  • Existing relationships across aerospace and defense communities

  • Experience operating within large matrix organizations

  • Strong financial and operational leadership capability

  • Experience leading organizational transformation initiatives

🛠️ Core Skills

✔ Strategic Planning
✔ Business Development
✔ Program Execution
✔ Space Systems Leadership
✔ Cryptographic Solutions
✔ Cybersecurity
✔ Financial Management
✔ Customer Relationship Management
✔ Change Management
✔ Team Leadership
✔ Defense Contracting
✔ Agile Development
✔ Operational Leadership
✔ National Security Programs

🎯 Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is an executive-level aerospace or defense leader who:

  • Brings deep expertise across mission-critical national security programs

  • Understands complex space mission systems and secure technologies

  • Has successfully led large organizations through growth and transformation

  • Combines strong operational execution with strategic business leadership

  • Is highly customer-facing and trusted within classified defense environments

  • Thrives in fast-moving, high-accountability mission environments

  • Demonstrates strong leadership presence, communication, and stakeholder management capability

🌟 Why This Role Stands Out

  • Lead highly strategic national security and space mission programs

  • Influence cutting-edge technologies in cybersecurity, cryptography, and secure space systems

  • Significant executive visibility and organizational influence

  • Opportunity to shape the future of secure space mission capabilities

  • Join a highly respected defense and aerospace organization supporting critical global missions

  • Strong long-term growth and leadership opportunity

📋 Additional Details

  • Travel required based on program and customer needs

  • Director-level executive leadership position

  • Relocation assistance available for exceptional candidates

  • Candidates must possess an active TS/SCI clearance and be eligible to obtain a CI Polygraph

  • Remote flexibility available following initial onboarding period

Recruiter Summary

This is a highly visible executive leadership opportunity within a premier aerospace and defense environment supporting advanced national security and space mission programs. The position offers the opportunity to lead complex classified portfolios involving secure communications, cybersecurity, cryptography, satellites, and mission-critical technologies while influencing long-term strategic growth and operational direction across the organization.

Ideal candidates will bring a blend of strategic leadership, operational excellence, technical credibility, customer engagement experience, and deep understanding of classified defense environments.

 

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