The Role
Lead Pivotal’s Systems Engineering team across aircraft requirements, architecture, integration, verification, validation, safety, and flight-test readiness. Manage requirements in JAMA, develop V&V plans, maintain interface documentation, coordinate multidisciplinary technical integration, support design reviews and aircraft testing, and mentor engineers. This hands-on technical leadership role requires deep systems-engineering expertise and experience with complex, safety-critical aerospace or electromechanical systems.
Summary Generated by Built In
Pivotal is the leader in the emerging market of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. We design, develop, and manufacture light eVTOL aircraft and are renowned for the BlackFly aircraft the world's first light eVTOL to fly manned missions and enter the consumer market.
Efficient, compact, and simple, Pivotal aircraft are designed for a wide range of consumer, public service, and defense applications. Our distinctive tilt-aircraft architecture and scalable platform have been flying for over 10 years. Last year we announced our next-generation aircraft, the Helix, which is rapidly progressing toward general release and scalable production in 2026.
Mobility is one of the most highly-valued areas of modern technology investments. This is the right company, in the right space, the right strategy, at the right time. If you are ready for adventure, we invite you to join our amazing team and grow with us.
We are seeking an experienced Senior Manager, Systems Engineering to lead our Systems Engineering team and drive system-level requirements, architecture, integration, verification, and validation across our aircraft programs.
This is a hands-on technical leadership role requiring strong systems-engineering fundamentals combined with meaningful depth in at least one engineering discipline. The successful candidate will work closely with hardware, software, GNC, aeromechanical, powertrain, manufacturing, and flight-test teams to ensure Pivotal aircraft are developed and verified as integrated systems.
Responsibilities
- Lead and mentor Pivotal's Systems Engineering team, including requirements, systems integration, and verification activities.
- Own the aircraft and subsystem requirements-management process in JAMA, including decomposition, allocation, traceability, baselines, change management, and verification closure.
- Establish and maintain clear traceability from system requirements through lower-level requirements, verification requirements, test activities, and objective evidence.
- Lead development and execution of aircraft-level Verification and Validation (V&V) plans, compliance matrices, test requirements, and verification reports.
- Partner with engineering and flight-test teams to define verification through analysis, inspection, bench testing, SIL/HIL, ground test, UAV flight, and crewed flight as appropriate.
- Lead system architecture, functional allocation, and critical hardware/software and subsystem interfaces.
- Develop and maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and resolve cross-functional interface issues.
- Drive technical integration across GNC, embedded software, electrical, battery, propulsion, aeromechanical, manufacturing, and flight test.
- Lead or support technical reviews including SRR, CoDR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and aircraft readiness reviews.
- Ensure system safety, failure behavior, degraded modes, and identified hazards are appropriately captured in requirements and verification.
- Support aircraft bring-up, troubleshooting, ground testing, and flight-test readiness.
- Develop practical, scalable Systems Engineering processes that improve execution without creating unnecessary process overhead.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
- 10+ years of engineering experience developing complex multidisciplinary systems, with demonstrated technical leadership or people-management experience.
- Strong experience with requirements development, decomposition, allocation, traceability, and verification.
- Experience with JAMA, DOORS, Polarion, Codebeamer, or similar requirements-management tools; JAMA experience strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated experience developing and executing system-level V&V programs.
- Experience integrating complex hardware and software systems from development through test and release.
- Experience developing system architectures and managing subsystem interfaces and ICDs.
- Demonstrated technical depth in at least one discipline such as aircraft design, mechanical systems, electrical systems, embedded software, controls/GNC, autonomy, propulsion, or system integration and test.
- Ability to investigate and resolve complex multidisciplinary technical problems across engineering teams.
- Experience with aerospace, spacecraft, robotics, autonomous vehicles, or other safety-critical electromechanical products strongly preferred.
- Experience with HIL/SIL, aircraft ground test, flight test, system safety, or structured aerospace development processes is preferred.
- Strong communication skills and demonstrated ability to lead and influence cross-functional technical teams.
The ideal candidate is a builder and technical integrator, not simply a process owner. They understand the value of requirements discipline and rigorous verification while maintaining the speed, judgment, and hands-on technical engagement required to develop new aircraft.
Attributes aligned with Core Values
- Safety Above All: Demonstrates a proactive safety mindset by embedding safety into daily work, identifying and mitigating risks, encouraging open dialogue about safety concerns, and continuously improving practices and protocols.
- Customer Focus: Puts customers at the center of every action by understanding their challenges, delivering meaningful value, and supporting their success.
- Work Better Together: Seeks and values diverse perspectives, builds cross-functional relationships, and fosters trust through empathetic, fact-based communication and commitment to shared decisions.
- Be the Pilot: Drives results with clarity and purpose by focusing on what matters most, adapting to change, taking initiative, and owning outcomes.
- Embrace the Unknown: Navigates ambiguity with resilience and bold thinking, challenges the status quo, and combines innovative ideas with practical approaches to overcome obstacles and drive progress.
- Respect for People: Fosters a high-performance culture grounded in respect, professionalism, and support by balancing high expectations with a healthy, collaborative environment and being a trusted, dependable teammate.
Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States and willing to work onsite at our HQ office in Palo Alto, CA.
Pivotal offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and 401k plans.
Pivotal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pivotal does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
- 10+ years of engineering experience developing complex multidisciplinary systems, with technical leadership or people-management experience.
- Experience with requirements development, decomposition, allocation, traceability, and verification.
- Experience with JAMA, DOORS, Polarion, Codebeamer, or similar requirements-management tools.
- Experience developing and executing system-level verification and validation programs.
- Experience integrating complex hardware and software systems from development through test and release.
- Experience developing system architectures and managing subsystem interfaces and Interface Control Documents.
- Technical depth in at least one discipline, such as aircraft design, mechanical systems, electrical systems, embedded software, controls/GNC, autonomy, propulsion, or system integration and test.
- Ability to investigate and resolve complex multidisciplinary technical problems across engineering teams.
- Strong communication skills and demonstrated ability to lead and influence cross-functional technical teams.
- Experience with aerospace, spacecraft, robotics, autonomous vehicles, or other safety-critical electromechanical products.
- Experience with HIL/SIL, aircraft ground testing, flight testing, system safety, or structured aerospace development processes.
- Eligibility for employment in the United States.
- Willingness to work onsite at the headquarters office in Palo Alto, California.
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The Company
What We Do
Pivotal, founded by Melinda French Gates, is a group of organizations dedicated to accelerating social progress for women and young people globally. Through a combination of philanthropy, strategic investments, and advocacy, the organization works to drive momentum in areas with the greatest potential for impact. By supporting leaders and innovative ideas, Pivotal aims to expand women's power and influence, ultimately fostering a more equitable and inclusive future for everyone.
