Senior Manager Systems Engineering (Project Engineering)

Job Summary

DRS Naval Power Systems (NPS) has an immediate need for a highly technical Senior Manager Systems/Project Engineering.  This highly visible leadership position has two primary responsibilities.  First, to provide functional management and technical leadership to a team of 10-15 project engineers within a matrix organizational engineering structure.  Second, this role is expected to lead challenging and innovative technical projects, with the ability to be an effective bridge between engineering, other functions, and senior management.  The Project Engineer (PE) Team is responsible for driving engineering product development execution & technical content for DRS’s Naval Power Systems products such as power converters, motor drives, uninterruptible power supplies, energy storage & power distribution systems ranging from several horsepower to multi-megawatts.   Project Engineers are involved in shaping project concepts from the start; collaborate on designs; contribute through individual implementation efforts; and see the results of their accomplishments through completion of integration and test.
 
In the functional manager role, this position will be responsible to manage resources in support of large number of active development programs.  This role baselines individual expectations, performs performance evaluations, provides performance-based feedback, career development, resource/skill gap assessments, and hiring recommendations.  This role also monitors and manages the performance of the team through development and evaluation of metrics, including reporting up to senior management.  Additionally, this role is expected to drive engineering efficiencies through continuous improvement efforts.  
 
In the technical leader role, this position is responsible for estimating, planning, and driving technical execution of U.S. military and customized commercial projects ranging from < $2M - $150M+.  The day-to-day focus entails organizing, leading, and encouraging multidisciplinary project team(s) ranging from 5-10+ engineers, as well as direct individual contributions to project work.  Critical to success in the role is the ability to organize complicated technical challenges, inspire the engineering team to find innovative solutions to problems, and clearly document / present project status within the team, to project leadership, and to other functions (including senior management).
 
As part of regular activities, this role may have significant supplier and customer interaction. The ideal candidate is an individual possessing strong systems engineering skills, combined with engineering team leadership skills.  The ability to set a vision for a team and influence its adoption is a key skillset.

What You Will Do

• Manage resource allocations for a team of 10-15 Project Engineers
• Interview and hire staff to support resource demands and skill needs
• Conduct annual reviews, provide feedback, training, and career guidance to develop future engineering leaders
• Ensure that Business Engineering Labor Forecast accurately reflects Basis-of-Estimate commitments across all NPS product lines
• Apply knowledge of systems engineering to support the engineering design and integration of complex systems, subsystems, or assemblies to develop high technology products
• Initiate, develop, and lead engineering efficiency and other continuous improvement efforts
• Ensure the Project Engineers drive execution of the detailed technical work scope to the required quality, schedule and budget
• Organize, lead, and motivate technical teams in the design and development of challenging products and systems including budgeting, project selection, execution oversight, and alignment with business objectives
• Develop project plans and pre-contract proposal estimates
• Confidently and competently represent DRS in front of customers, including the US Navy
• Clearly communicate, orally and in writing, technical and programmatic information to technical and non-technical individuals
• Collaboration with other departments, DRS locations, and suppliers to solve problems and develop cost-effective, high-quality solutions
• Lead project engineers in the management of programs using standard EVM tools, analysis, and reporting exhibits, Variance Analysis, Root Cause and Corrective Action, and Risk and Opportunity Proactive Management to ensure programs remain on schedule, on budget, and meeting technical requirements

Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree from a 4-year accredited college or university in Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering
• A minimum of 10 years of experience leading or managing a team of individual contributors
• Demonstrated life-cycle experience driving product development life from concept to qualified / fielded systems
• Experience leading the design, development and integration of complex systems, subsystems, or assemblies to develop high technology products within a concurrent engineering environment
• Comprehensive knowledge of sophisticated program management methodologies
• Spearheads investigations into root causes and formulating corrective measures for product or process anomalies
• Mandates adherence to precise design processes, both internal and customer-specific technical criteria, among the engineering team
• Embedding and promulgating the mission, values, and philosophical framework of the organization
• Provision of mentorship and career guidance to subordinate staff
• Strong sense of ownership and high level of accountability
• Demonstrated focus on designing to cost targets, while meeting key system performance requirements
• Experience creating conceptual designs, technical documentation, and budget estimates for bid and proposals
• Experience managing development programs using Waterfall and Agile methods
• Significant experience with standard EVM tools, analysis, and reporting exhibits, Variance Analysis, Root Cause and Corrective Action, and Risk and Opportunity Proactive Management
• Experience of leading the successful integration of multiple sub-systems 
• Competent at juggling multiple tasks and adjusting to fluctuating workloads, schedules, and priorities
• Candidates must be a US citizen and meet DRS security standards as imposed by DoD, including the issuance of any necessary security clearance by the US government within a reasonable time after commencement of employment

Other Desired Qualifications

• An advanced MS degree in engineering or an MBA is advantageous
• Technical literacy in 3-phase power systems, control systems, switchgear, motors, MG sets, and programmable logic controllers
• Solid Understanding in Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE / Digital Twin) using Cameo Systems Modeler
• Experience using IBM Rational DOORS to develop and manage requirements, to support the configuration control of customer (master) and supplier (elaboration) requirement modules
• Experience with execution of projects for the US military or foreign Navy
• Familiarity with industrial and military design specifications
• Experience with the development of electric controls, electric motor/drive systems, electro-mechanical systems, or other power electronics, and IRAD programs
• Experience designing/developing Navy surface and sub-surface equipment
• Familiarity with military standards such as MIL-S-901, MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-1399, and SS-473
• Practical exposure and hands-on experience with Department of Defense programs

The Senior Manager of Project Engineering plays a pivotal role within Leonardo DRS Naval Power Systems, tasked with steering project engineering towards impactful successes and spearheading the evolution of cutting-edge defense technologies.