Systems Engineering Manager

The Manager of Systems Engineering is responsible for leading and developing a high-performing team of Systems Engineers supporting the design, development, validation, and launch of complex automotive mechatronic systems. Products may include intelligent switches and switching systems, driver entry and authorization systems, battery management systems, and other advanced electronic vehicle technologies.

This leader is responsible for cultivating an inclusive, transparent, and learning-oriented culture that promotes engineering excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement. The role provides technical and organizational leadership across the entire product development lifecycle while partnering closely with customers, program management, hardware, software, validation, manufacturing, and quality teams to deliver world-class automotive solutions.

The successful candidate will combine strong people leadership, technical expertise, and business acumen to drive execution excellence, customer satisfaction, organizational growth, and employee development.

Responsibilities:

Leadership & Organizational Development:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Systems Engineers supporting multiple customer programs and product portfolios
• Foster a high-performing culture emphasizing accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, innovation, and employee engagement
• Establish clear goals, performance expectations, and development plans that enable individual and organizational success
• Recruit, develop, and retain top engineering talent
• Promote diversity of thought and encourage knowledge sharing across engineering disciplines and global teams

Technical Leadership:

• Provide technical leadership throughout the product development lifecycle from concept through production launch and field support
• Guide systems engineering activities including requirements management, system architecture development, interface definition, risk management, validation planning, and problem resolution
• Serve as a technical resource for complex engineering challenges and facilitate timely, cost-effective solutions
• Drive engineering excellence through robust design methodologies, lessons learned, and continuous process improvements
• Support the adoption and improvement of Systems Engineering best practices aligned with industry standards and customer expectations

Program & Customer Leadership:

• Support customer programs as an escalation point for technical issues, risks, and strategic engineering decisions
• Collaborate closely with Program Management to balance technical requirements, timing, cost, quality, and resource constraints
• Develop engineering project budgets, resource plans, and cost projections while ensuring effective utilization of engineering resources
• Build strong customer relationships and represent the organization during technical reviews, design discussions, and customer presentations
• Drive timely identification, mitigation, and communication of technical and program risks

Operational Excellence:

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives that enhance engineering efficiency, product quality, and organizational effectiveness
• Champion Lean product development practices and data-driven decision making
• Establish and monitor engineering performance metrics and organizational objectives to support business growth and operational excellence
• Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, and Supply Chain teams to support successful product launches and manufacturing readiness
• Ensure compliance with applicable customer, industry, and organizational development processes and standards

Additional Responsibilities:

• Support strategic initiatives, organizational improvements, and special projects as assigned
• Contribute to long-term technology and organizational roadmaps that support business objectives and future growth opportunities.

Required Skills and Knowledge:

Leadership Competencies

• Proven ability to build, develop, and lead high-performing technical teams
• Exceptional leadership, coaching, communication, and conflict resolution skills
• High emotional intelligence with demonstrated ability to motivate, influence, and develop others
• Strong organizational, planning, delegation, and decision-making capabilities
• Ability to successfully lead through change while maintaining employee engagement and organizational alignment

Technical Competencies

• Strong understanding of automotive electronic and mechatronic systems architectures
• Experience with Systems Engineering methodologies including requirements management, system decomposition, interface management, verification and validation planning, and risk management
• Working knowledge of automotive development processes and quality tools including DFMEA, DFM, FEA, Design Reviews, and problem-solving methodologies
• Familiarity with automotive industry standards and practices such as ASPICE, ISO 26262 (Functional Safety), and ISO 21434 (Cybersecurity)
• Experience supporting cross-functional product development activities involving hardware, software, validation, manufacturing, and quality engineering disciplines.

Professional Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all organizational levels
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain productive relationships with customers, suppliers, executive leadership, and cross-functional teams
• Ability to balance strategic priorities with day-to-day execution in a fast-paced development environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline
• Master's degree preferred
• Previous leadership experience managing technical engineering teams within the automotive industry
• Experience leading customer-facing automotive development programs from concept through production launch
• Familiarity with modern automotive technologies including embedded systems, software-enabled products, and connected vehicle architectures is desirable.

Core Values We Admire:

• Integrity - We believe in honest and transparent communication internally and externally.
• Flexibility - You prefer a fast-paced and dynamic environment and are agile and comfortable enough to keep up as plans change and evolve.
• Partnership - You are the excellent team player, able to build strong relationships and effectively partner with other team members to achieve results.
• Innovation - You want to support Marquardt in pursuing new and game changing technology.
• Pursuit of excellence - You strive to be the best.

What We Offer:

• Innovative products and diverse customer base.
• Competitive compensation and paid vacation annually plus personal time.
• Generous benefits (medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, 401k with matching).
• Support and resources to continue learning and training.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Onsite gym.
• Amazingly smart and fun teammates and a management team invested in your development and success.
• Supplier discounts at major OEMs