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Associate Manager - Systems Engineering (Functional Validation)

AIRBUS U.S. Space & Defense, Inc.
United States, Virginia, Arlington
1525 Wilson Boulevard (Show on map)
Apr 17, 2026

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 detailed design, development, manufacture, integration, test, deployment, and operations.
  • Proven track-record of managing multi-disciplinary teams


Knowledge, Skills, Demonstrated Capabilities:



  • Expertise in elements of space mission architectures- including launch, flight operations, mission CONOPS, user interfaces, etc.
  • System test and validation approaches, including test spec development, test procedure writing, and test report writing
  • Experience with systems architecture, requirements definition and decomposition, and requirements verification and validation (e.g. Requirements Verification and Traceability Matrices)
  • Communicate in a clear and concise manner effectively across multiple levels.
  • Be team-minded and ready to work in a multi-functional and multi-cultural, fast-moving and complex/technical environment.
  • Flexible attitude and strong initiative.
  • Demonstrated ability to deliver results.


Travel Required:



  • Periodic travel (less than 20%) to Airbus U.S. facilities or partner companies
  • Occasional International travel to collaborate with European Airbus counterparts


Eligibility:



  • US Citizenship is required


Clearance:



  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Government security clearance
  • Active DoD security clearance at Secret or above highly desirable


Physical Requirements:



  • Vision: able to see and read computer screen and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents.
  • Hearing: able to hear to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds including safety warnings or alarms.
  • Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment.
  • Carrying: able to carry documents, electronic equipment and/or supplies up to 40lbs/9kg.
  • Lifting: able to lift documents, electronic equipment and/or supplies up to 40lbs/9kg.
  • Sitting: able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on computer.
  • Squatting / Kneeling: able to occasionally squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items shelved on bottom shelves.
  • Standing: able to stand for long periods of time.
  • Walking: able to walk through office and outside areas including uneven surfaces.


Equal Opportunity:

Airbus provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, or other legally protected status. In addition to federal law requirements, Airbus complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. Airbus expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status.

As a matter of policy, Airbus does not sponsor visas for US positions unless specified. Only applicants with current work authorization will be considered. Airbus does not offer tenured or guaranteed employment. Employment with Airbus is at will, meaning either the company or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. Airbus reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

By submitting your resume or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus. Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or religious belief. Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to HR@airbusus.com.

Website: www.airbusus.com

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