Demo

System Engineering Manager

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions
Colorado, CO Full Time
POSTED ON 10/22/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 11/27/2026
Job Description

Readiness Delivered. Kratos provides leading-edge capabilities for communication with satellites, spacecraft, missiles, and airborne platforms. From factory test to flight, from ground data networking to RF Links – commercial, intelligence, and defense users trust Kratos to solve their most difficult RF problems. For a more complete overview of our capabilities see http://www.kratosdefense.com/.

At Kratos, we encourage an entrepreneurial spirit balanced with fiscal and operational discipline. We work hard, we solve hard problems, and we look out for and take care of our customers, each other and our families. Protecting and enabling our nation and global customers through innovative aerospace solutions is what motivates us. We continually build trusted relationships with our peers, our partners and customers, and we take ownership for our actions—always striving to do the right thing.

Kratos is seeking a Systems Engineering Manager to lead a technical team of engineers supporting the development and sustainment of the highly successful Command and Control Consolidated System supporting the C-SAR program based in Colorado Springs, CO. Candidate will oversee an engineering team responsible for requirements analysis, system design, reliability analysis, system hardware/software integration, risk management, and system documentation updates. The candidate will work closely with system developers, test, and on-site user support personnel to support system updates, analyze and resolve system issues, and ensure project objectives are met. Primary responsibilities include management, PI/release planning review, preparation/review of reports, meeting and working group support, and contributions towards Task Orders and ECPs.

Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To

  • Manage and support the C-SAR System Engineering team (13-15 technical staff), ensuring all engineering contractual requirements and deliverables are met.
  • Work with the program’s Chief Engineer to manage system architecture definition, technical baselines, and system integration strategies.
  • Support SecDevOps processes and related Agile practices.
  • Support proposal development or Task Orders, ROMs, and technical scope definition for contract modifications and future efforts.
  • Conduct studies and document technical analysis to support future design reviews.
  • Offer technical guidance to customers regarding architectures and potential solutions.
  • Mentor engineering staff, develop technical capabilities, and enforce engineering processes, documentation standards, and quality assurance practices.
  • Participate in CDRLs generation and deliveries based on customer prescribed schedule.
  • Develop and deliver effective customer presentations (PMRs, design reviews, status reports, kickoff meetings, test plans) demonstrating an ability to communicate comfortably at a system level.
  • Attend and support highly technical engineering team meetings.
  • Travel as necessary to attend conferences and customer meetings.

Experience And Skills

  • 10 years engineering experience
  • BS in SE, CS, EE, ME, or other engineering equivalent
  • Active Secret Clearance with ability to obtain a TS/SCI
  • Ability to lead and manage a team of System Engineers
  • Support programs through SRR, PDR, CDR or equivalent design reviews
  • Strong proficiency in requirements analysis
  • Experience with SCN or satellite ground systems
  • Experience in verification and validation (V&V) processes
  • Proven capability in managing performance, mentoring team members, and supporting career development initiatives
  • Familiarity with modern IT infrastructure capabilities to include virtualization, cloud deployment and containerization
  • Candidate must be self-motivated and comfortable with supporting multiple groups of developers, engineers, and testers
  • Candidate must be able to articulate technical concepts orally and in written forms both internally to the team as well as externally to the customer and users.
  • Excellent written and oral communications skills
  • Working knowledge of space systems, including ground systems, satellite command and control, and system development processes is a plus
  • Attend and support highly technical engineering team meetings

Preferred Skills And Experience

  • Knowledge of systems integration for space systems, payloads, and mission operations
  • Ability to manage risk, interface with cross-functional teams, and drive engineering decision making
  • Proficiency with SE tools such as Cameo, DOORS, JIRA, or equivalent MBSE and requirements management systems
  • Experience with configuration management and managing formal change processes
  • Understanding of cybersecurity best practices and requirements for space systems and mission operations

The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, and skills.

Competitive salary based on experience and education

Salary Range: $145,000-$185,000

Kratos is valued for our ability to design and deliver leading edge, resilient solutions for aerospace communication, control, awareness and mission success across a continuum of offerings—from commercial to tailored custom solutions and integrated programs. Customers trust us to stay relevant and know we are in it for the long-haul. We bring both the capability and confidence that our customers value and depend on. And we always deliver.

This posting will close within 90 days from the Posting Date.

Job Benefits

  • Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
  • Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
  • 401(k) Savings Plan
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
  • Paid Time-Off (PTO)
  • Holidays
  • Education Reimbursement


Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer. EOE, Minorities, Females, Vet, Disabled, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or any other protected class. All qualified job seekers are encouraged to apply. Kratos Defense is committed to America's veterans by providing opportunities for them to continue contributing after service to our nation. We also work to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

EEO Is The Law

Disability Accessibility Accommodation
If you require an accommodation to navigate or apply to our careers site, please send your request to HRAccessibility@kratosdefense.com or call 858-964-2916. Any inquires not related to requesting an accommodation will be discarded.

Pay Transparency
The company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

Job Applicant Privacy Notice
For applicants in the EU and California residents, please review our privacy notice.

Salary : $145,000 - $185,000

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