About Opto-Knowledge Systems, Inc.
Opto-Knowledge Systems, Inc. (OKSI) develops advanced sensing, imaging, and artificial intelligence technologies supporting aerospace, defense, and scientific applications. Our teams work across engineering disciplines to design and deliver innovative electro-optical systems and AI-enabled sensing platforms that solve complex technical challenges.

Position Overview
OKSI is seeking a Systems Engineering Manager to lead the architecture, requirements development, integration, and validation of advanced electro-optical and AI-enabled sensing systems. This role manages a team of systems engineers and works closely with mechanical, electrical, software, and manufacturing teams to ensure successful system development from concept through deployment.

The ideal candidate combines strong systems engineering expertise with the leadership skills needed to guide multidisciplinary engineering teams in a fast-paced research and development environment.

What You Will Do

• Lead and mentor a team of systems engineers supporting electro-optical and AI-enabled sensing systems
• Guide system architecture development, requirements decomposition, and interface definition across multidisciplinary programs
• Ensure clear requirements traceability and alignment between customer needs and system design
• Oversee system integration, verification, and validation activities across hardware and software components
• Coordinate closely with mechanical, electrical, software, and manufacturing teams to ensure system compatibility and performance
• Support program execution including technical planning, proposal support, and engineering trade studies
• Participate in design reviews and technical discussions with customers and internal stakeholders
• Establish and maintain systems engineering processes including documentation standards, risk management, and configuration control
• Drive continuous improvement across systems engineering practices, tools, and workflows

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field
• Minimum 15 years of systems engineering experience in complex technical systems
• Minimum 3 years of leadership or engineering management experience
• Strong understanding of systems engineering principles including requirements management, interface control, and system validation
• Experience with MBSE tools such as Cameo or Rhapsody and requirements management tools such as DOORS
• Experience coordinating cross functional engineering teams
• Strong technical communication, documentation, and leadership skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with electro-optical systems, imaging systems, or embedded sensing platforms
• Experience supporting aerospace, defense, or government funded engineering programs
• Familiarity with MIL-STD environmental testing and EMI/EMC qualification requirements
• INCOSE CSEP certification or similar systems engineering certification
• Experience working in export controlled or ITAR regulated environments

Work Environment and Schedule

• Full-time position

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary range: $164,305 - $222,295 annually.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage fully paid by the employer for employees.
• Three weeks of vacation to start  
• Automatic company contribution to 401K – 5% of earned wages (no matching required)
• Educational assistance and professional development opportunities
• In-office (St. Petersburg, FL or Torrance, CA) or remote work (United States) available (position dependent)

Additional Requirements:

• You must have, or be eligible to obtain, a U.S. Department of Defense Secret security clearance. You will be subject to government security investigations and must be able to access classified information. The inability to obtain a security clearance will result in you being ineligible for the position.

We are an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in the application and hiring process. The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. This employer participates in E-Verify.  

This employer participates in E-Verify.