Jobs and Careers
AI

Associate Manager - Systems Engineering (Functional Validation)

Airbus US Space & Defense
United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 16 Apr 2026

About the role

This position can be located at multiple sites across the United States. Work locations: Arlington VA or Merritt Island, FL.

Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc offers advanced solutions to meet the most complex U.S. defense, security, space, and intelligence requirements. Celebrating over 50 years in the US, we remain a trusted government partner, leveraging world-class satellite, laser communication, rotor and fixed wing solutions to help our national security, defense and space focused customers meet their missions.


Airbus U.S. looks to employ a commitment driven team, dedicated to enabling our customer's mission success. We are committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive work environment and a welcoming and engaging staff. With competitive compensation and superior employee benefits, as well as a commitment to fostering individual career growth, Airbus U.S. is the place where top talent wants to work.


Position Summary:

Airbus U.S. is looking for an enthusiastic and creative Systems Engineering Associate Manager to design, analyze, and test new satellite and aerospace systems. We're looking for candidates who can bring exceptional engineering skills and strong leadership in aerospace programs to the team.


Position Responsibilities:

The Systems Engineering Associate Manager's primary responsibility will be leading the Functional Validation and System Test team. This team will be involved in the full lifecycle of development, from requirements definition, validation, verification and operations. Being at the cutting edge of space technology, we need someone who is eager to learn, grow, and take on new and potentially unfamiliar challenges. There is no shortage of fascinating problems to solve.

The Systems Engineering Associate Manager will provide autonomous solutions of complex problems, through direct work and delegation, under the leadership of the Systems Engineering Director. The Systems Engineering Associate Manager will have project and subject matter responsibility and authority.

System Test Leadership - 70%

  • Lead System Verification / Validation team through the Systems Integration and System Test phases. Team responsibilities include:
    • Generation of Avionics Functional Verification Plans, Procedures, and Reports
    • Troubleshooting and non-conformance management
    • Executing Functional Verification plan per program goals
  • Develops and Grows System Test tools, processes, and methods for Airbus U.S.

Systems Architecture Development - 20%

  • Support Systems Architecture team for Airbus U.S. satellite systems, including the heritage Arrow platform. Team responsibilities include:
    • Support requirements development - initial definition, decomposition and flowdown, management
    • System behavior design and trade studies - high level concept trades to support subsequent detail design
    • Avionics Architecture Definition to meet high-level mission requirements within program cost and schedule needs
    • Generation of Avionics System Architecture Data Products, including spacecraft CONOPS, Algorithm Descriptions, FDIR design, and Interface Documents
  • Ability to drive multiple design activities (programs or mission)
  • Lead cross-functional teams in planning, coordination, and task execution, reporting to Program Managers
  • Grows and develops the Avionics Systems Architecture tools, processes, and methods for Airbus U.S.

Additional Responsibilities - 10%

  • Perform all the necessary systems engineering activities to build, to maintain and to evolve the Airbus spacecraft products and execute development roadmaps
  • Provide input for new business capture

Qualified Experience / Skills / Training:

Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree in STEM (Science, Technical, Engineering, Math) or related scientific areas.
  • Preferred: Master's Degree in STEM (Science, Technical, Engineering, Math) or related scientific areas.

Experience:

  • A minimum of 8 years with a Bachelor's degree, or 6 years with a Master's degree
  • Proven track-record of working with aerospace hardware and software systems, starting from conceptual designs and tradeoffs through detaile

Apply for this role

Generate a tailored application kit with a matched cover letter, interview prep, and CV highlights — in under 60 seconds.

Apply Now →Generate Application Kit

Free account required — sign up in 30s

Company

Airbus US Space & Defense

View company profile →