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Systems Engineering Manager
Liquid Robotics
Software Engineering
USD 122k-217k / year
Posted on Oct 18, 2025
Description
Systems Engineering Manager
Liquid Robotics is seeking a Systems Engineering Manager to lead and manager a team of Systems Engineers in the development of autonomous ocean robots. You and your team will work with a cross-discipline group of electrical, mechanical, software, and operations engineers in the development, testing, integration, and maintenance of the Wave Glider platform and associated payloads and peripherals. The successful candidate will bring proven experience in a cross-discipline system-level role, strong architecture and design skills, and a structured approach to system processes. This position is based in Herndon, Virginia, and reports to the Head of Engineering.
Essential Responsibilities
- Manage the systems engineering work within the company.
- Lead, guide, and develop a team of Systems Engineers of varying skills and skill levels.
- Lead efforts to translate customer and business needs into viable, proven solutions within time and funding limits.
- Define schedules, budgets, and solutions, both for customer proposals and internal development. Develop risk analyses and mitigations.
- Team with engineers from various disciplines to manage (create, modify, decompose and derive) system and subsystem requirements and interfaces. Define and refine system models and architectures. Prepare and release product documentation.
- Create test plans and procedures that effectively validate and verify implementations; support execution of tests, develop test reports.
- Develop and execute trade studies and prototype analyses. Recommend best solutions. Work with various engineering disciplines to resolve cross-discipline systems issues.
- Guide others in best practices of structured systems engineering, including requirements, architecture, design, and test. Define and improve engineering processes, procedures, and tools. Own the Systems Engineering process, including process improvement and adherence.
Key Attributes:
- Demonstrates broad engineering knowledge applicable to robotics development for maritime environments. Able to apply experience in mechanical, electrical, and/or software; strong understanding of how the various aspects of a system affect and influence one another.
- Stays aware of technology advancements. Applies knowledge across a variety of solution spaces.
- Applies excellent problem solving and technical abilities to complex problems; able to guide a team in executing root cause analysis and problem resolutions.
- Possesses excellent communication and interpersonal skills, is able to effectively exchange information with technical teams, nontechnical stakeholders, and customers.
- Maintains strong customer focus, balanced with business requirements. Suggests valuable improvements and products based on customer and business needs.
Minimum Qualifications:
- BS in Engineering; preferred degrees are Mechanical, Electrical, Computer Engineering, or related. Advanced degree strongly preferred.
- 10 years of engineering experience, to include at least 5 years’ experience in a role that demonstrates cross-discipline or system-level experience.
- 3 years of management experience, working with a range of junior to senior employees.
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Experience with the Liquid Robotics Wave Glider system is a strong discriminator.
U.S. Person status required.
Must have or be able to obtain a U.S. security clearance
Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
Summary pay range: $122,000 – $217,000
Liquid Robotics designs and manufactures Wave Gliders®, the first wave and solar powered autonomous ocean robots. With our partners we address many of the planet’s greatest challenges, by transforming how to assess, monitor, and protect the ocean. We solve critical problems for defense, commercial, and science customers.
Liquid Robotics is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.