Director Systems Engineering

Director Systems Engineering

At Johnson Outdoors, home to some of the world’s most innovative and best-known outdoor recreation brands, we create amazing outdoor experiences - for adventurers, by adventurers. Check out each of the unique Johnson Outdoor brands in Fishing, Watercraft, Camping and Diving!

We are seeking a highly skilled Director Systems Engineering to lead the development and integration of complex systems across our global portfolio of consumer durable goods. With 1,300 employees, 19 global facility locations and selling into over 80 countries, the Director Systems Engineering will lead the development, integration, optimization, and management of complex systems including hardware, software and embedded systems that enhance product functionality, reliability and user experience.

Note: This position can be located in Racine-WI, Alpharetta-GA or Mankato-MN

Leadership and Strategy:

• Develops and drives the strategic direction for systems engineering including software, embedded, mechanical, and electrical disciplines ensuring alignment with organizational goals in collaboration with senior leadership.
• Champions systems thinking across the organization to ensure cohesive product development.
• Provides thought leadership in adopting new technologies and engineering practices to deliver world-class solutions across multiple product lines.

Technical Oversight:

• Lead the global architecture, infrastructure, design, and integration of multi-disciplinary systems (mechanical, electrical, software, and embedded) that meet both current and future business needs.
• Develops and drives comprehensive systems engineering plans and ensures that our products exceed industry standards for performance, safety, and user satisfaction.
• Provides deep technical expertise in architecture, system design, and software development best practices.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Partners with product management, R&D, manufacturing, quality, and operations to ensure seamless product development and launch and alignment of systems engineering efforts with business priorities.
• Acts as a key liaison between engineering and executive leadership.

 
Innovation & Continuous Improvement:

• Drives the global adoption of cutting-edge tools, methodologies (e.g., MBSE, Agile, DevOps), and technologies (e.g., IoT, AI/ML).
• Identifies and mitigates technical risks early in the development cycle.
• Drives continuous improvement initiatives and adapts plans to meet service or operational changes. Identifies and resolves technical, operational, risk management, and organizational challenges.

 
Team Development and Mentorship:

• Builds and nurtures a high-performing, cross-functional engineering team through recruitment, mentorship, training, and career development programs.
• Fosters an environment of continuous learning and improvement, ensuring the team stays up to date with the latest trends and technologies.
• Promotes a culture of innovation by encouraging experimentation and creative problem-solving.
• Leads the evaluation and adoption of emerging technologies to enhance the company’s competitive edge in the consumer products industry.

Resource Management:

• Optimize resource utilization across global teams, ensuring that the team can deliver on its commitments while maintaining a balance between cost and quality.

Other:

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory/Management Responsibilities:

• Prepares and approves department budgets while ensuring budgets are managed within approved guidelines.
• Develops and approves departmental policies, procedures, and guidelines to meet business needs.
• In partnership with human resources, performs human resources responsibilities for staff which includes but is not limited to the following: hiring and terminating employees, promotions/pay adjustments, staff development, performance evaluations, resolution of employee concerns and disciplinary counseling.

What you need to succeed:

• Typically requires a bachelor’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, electronic technology, or equivalent.
• Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of systems engineering experience which includes 5 years of global leadership over the development, integration, optimization, and management of complex systems within a consumer durable goods industry.
• Strong experience in consumer durable goods (e.g., appliances, electronics, and smart home devices.
• Experience with connected products and IoT ecosystems.
• Ability to translate enterprise level strategic planning into systems engineering needs, create business plans, and turn them into effective business solutions. Successional experience developing and implementing strategic processes and improvements.
• Deep understanding of systems engineering principles including requirements analysis, systems design, integration, verification, and validation.
• Advanced knowledge of mechanical design principles, including materials science, thermodynamics, and structural analysis.
• Expertise in electrical system design, including circuit design, power distribution, and signal processing.
• Expertise in software development, software architecture, algorithms, data structures and deployment.
• Deep understanding of embedded systems, firmware development, and system integration.
• Experience with tools such as SysM, MATLAB/Simulink, and PLM systems.
• Expertise in overseeing/directing project management from concept development to implementation and evaluation.
• General business acumen that demonstrates an understanding of the impact that product costs, schedule commitment, and high quality have on the success of a product as well as the overall profitability of the company.
• Exceptional leadership and people management skills to manage and mentor teams, set vision and strategy and drive execution.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills to effectively partner with multiple departments internally to successfully bring products to market and collaborate with external vendors. Strong negotiation, facilitation, presentation skills and experience.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) or similar products.

A few pointers about our culture:

• Entrepreneurial spirit and innovation are in our bones! We authentically innovate trusted equipment that gets people out in the great outdoors.
• We are laser-focused on our consumers, and passionate about providing superior solutions flexible to meet any event’s needs or mission requirements.
• We strive to create meaningful, healthy change in the world as individuals and as a family of brands.
• We value team members who are willing to wear many hats; who take personal initiative, anticipating what needs to be done, and figuring things out to make them happen; but who are also willing to ask help, to assist others and work together.

What you will receive:

• Share in the company’s success with competitive base salary with additional earning potential through participation in the management bonus program, and eligibility for annual pay increases.
• Find work/life balance with generous Paid Time Off and holiday benefits, a full benefits package, and broad range of employee support and fitness and wellness plans.
• Further your career with performance development and training opportunities, including our tuition assistance program.
• Have fun at work, enjoying a collaborative and casual work environment, participating in fun company events, and taking advantage of great employee discounts on all our outdoor recreational products.
• Plan for your future with our 401(k) with company match and deferred retirement contributions, Sons & Daughters Scholarship program, college savings program, life and LTD insurance, and more.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment at Johnson Outdoors (and all subsidiaries) without regard to race; creed; color; religion; national origin; sex; age; disability; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; genetic predisposition or carrier status; veteran, marital, or citizenship status; or any other status protected by law.  Johnson Outdoors is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact Human Resources at HRSpecialAccommodations@johnsonoutdoors.com to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

JOHNSON OUTDOORS is a leading global innovator of outdoor recreation equipment and technologies that inspire more people to experience the awe of the great outdoors. The company designs, manufactures and markets a portfolio of winning, consumer-preferred brands across four categories: Watercraft Recreation, Fishing, Diving and Camping.  Johnson Outdoors' iconic brands include: Old Town® canoes and kayaks; Ocean Kayak™; Carlisle® paddles; Minn Kota® fishing motors, batteries and anchors; Cannon® downriggers; Humminbird® marine electronics and charts; SCUBAPRO® dive equipment; Jetboil® outdoor cooking systems. Founded in 1970 by Samuel C. Johnson, the Company has delivered double-digit compound annual growth over its history, evolving from a single brand into a nearly $663 million global enterprise with around 1,300 employees across 20 countries.