Systems Engineer
Job Summary:
The Systems Engineer will play a key role in supporting the development, integration, and delivery of advanced aerospace systems. This position is responsible for leading and executing systems engineering activities across the full product lifecycle, including requirements development, system architecture, risk management, verification and validation, and configuration control. The Systems Engineer will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams—including engineering, testing, manufacturing, and program management—to ensure system designs meet functional specifications, customer expectations, and industry standards. This role also contributes to the creation and improvement of systems engineering processes, documentation, and best practices to enhance program efficiency and technical rigor. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, analytical, and excels in a dynamic environment where innovation and quality are top priorities.
Responsibilities and Duties:
Provide comprehensive systems engineering support, including requirements analysis, design oversight, and technical guidance.
Develop Systems Engineering best practices, processes, and continuous improvement initiatives
Participate in planning, design, testing, and deployment of complex systems to ensure conformance with functional specifications and customer requirements
Manage system requirements, including requirements development, tracking, decomposition, and verification
Develop systems engineering management documentation such as Systems Engineering Management Plans, Risk Management Plans, and Configuration Management Plans
Develop systems engineering technical documentation such as Requirements Verification Traceability Matrices, Interface Control Documents, and Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analyses
Develop systems engineering documentation in support of system Verification and Validation efforts such as Verification Plans and Test Plans
Perform system reliability, hazard, and risk analysis
Regularly report on progress to ESAero team and customer
Develop and maintain project documentation to high quality standards
Required Qualifications and Skills:
Bachelor’s degree in systems engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
3-5 years relevant experience
Experience providing Systems Engineering support
Experience developing system requirements
Experience with requirements verification and validation (V&V) activities
Experience with risk management processes
Proven understanding of system architecture development and documentation
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Desired Qualifications and Skills:
Master’s degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent field and/or 5+ years design, testing or relevant experience
Experience with disciplines closely adjacent to Systems Engineering such as system safety analysis, reliability modeling, product certification, etc.
Fundamental understanding of other disciplines including stress, dynamics, thermal analysis, production, electronics, test engineering, etc.
Familiarity with flight testing
Experience with MS Projects
Familiarity with high power electro-mechanical propulsion systems
Experience working within the aerospace industry, specifically with electrified aircraft or UAVs
Experience with Jama Connect
Comprehensive Benefits & Perks:
Health & Wellness: Choose from three health, dental, and vision plans - including a 100% employer-paid option covering both employees and their families.
Paid Time Off: Enjoy 120 hours of PTO, 80 hours accrued plus an additional 40 hours of holiday break pay in addition to Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day off.
Life Insurance: $25,000 employer-paid life insurance policy, with the option to purchase additional coverage for employees and their families.
Supplemental Coverage: Access optional benefits such as Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, and Critical Illness with Skin Cancer coverage.
Health Savings Account (HSA): Take advantage of a tax-advantaged HSA to manage medical expenses.
Retirement Savings: 401(k) with a company match to support your financial future.
Paid Holidays: Enjoy 9 paid holidays throughout the year.
Work Environment: A casual dress code, complimentary snacks, and a welcoming company culture.
Ideal Location: Work in an area that offers an outstanding quality of life - a perfect place to live, work, and play!
Company Overview:
Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc (ESAero) is a leader in aerospace engineering, product development, and manufacturing, dedicated to delivering high-quality, innovative, and cost-effective solutions to the industry. We specialize in cutting-edge system design, rapid product development, precision manufacturing, comprehensive testing, and technology demonstrations to support the evolving needs of the aerospace community. Committed to excellence, on-time delivery, and continuous growth, we invest in infrastructure to expand our manufacturing and aftermarket capabilities while maintaining the highest standards of engineering services.
At ESAero, we don’t just build products, we engineer solutions that propel the aerospace industry forward.
**This position is fully on-site at ESAero in San Luis Obispo, CA**
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ESAero is an equal opportunity employer.
E-Verify participation required for employment.
Must present proof of authorization to work in the United States.
Must be able to pass background check.
Pay Range: $90k-120k Salary Exempt
Top Skills
What We Do
Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. (ESAero), an aerospace engineering design and manufacturing company, specializes in cost-effective development of innovative and advanced concepts, with emphasis on simple honesty and a track record of commitment. Since 2003, ESAero has served the needs of the engineering industry through its work on military and commercial conceptual air vehicle designs, electric and hybrid propulsion system development, aircraft modifications, sub-scale technology demonstrators, rapid system prototyping, design for manufacturing, low-rate initial production, manufacturing, and niche engineering support. An “Advanced Design Group to Advanced Design Groups”, ESAero is the Prime Contractor and Integrator of the NASA X-57 “Maxwell” all-electric airplane. ESAero customers include multiple NASA Centers, AFRL, AMRDEC, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, General Atomics, Electricore, and AeroVironment. With a 32,000 sq.ft. design & manufacturing facility located in San Luis Obispo, CA and an 8,000 sq.ft. integration and test location at the Oceano (CA) County Airport (L52), ESAero has expanded operations and airport space for system testing and product development. ESAero will continue to provide the aviation and aerospace industries with cutting-edge systems solutions and optimized manufacturing practices.
With an emphasis on quality, cost, and/or time, ESAero performs design, analytical, prototyping, and testing services for systems ranging from conceptual aerospace designs to aircraft seeking supplemental type certificates.
• Proven solutions that focus on the quality of results
• Rapid system development
• Hands-on development/testing to achieve customer goals
• “Out-of-the-Box” thinking and engineering
• Customized project plans structured for efficiency to meet larger program goals of cost or time
• On-demand niche engineering team to supplement ongoing projects
For more information, please visit our website at www.esaero.com or call (805) 275-1053.








