---
title: 'Director of Systems Engineering at Epirus'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/director-of-systems-engineering-epirus-torrance-gg57csetxrza'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-16'
---

# Director of Systems Engineering at Epirus

- **Company:** Epirus
- **Location:** Torrance, CA
- **Compensation:** $248k–$277k
- **Posted:** 2026-09-25
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-16
- **Apply:** https://www.epirusinc.com/open-roles?gh_jid=6208432004

## Job description

## About Epirus

Epirus is a high-growth technology company dedicated to overcoming the asymmetric challenges inherent to the future of national security. Epirus' flagship product, Leonidas, is a software-defined system built using intelligent power management techniques which allow power-hungry systems to do more with less.

Job Summary: We are looking for a Director of Systems Engineering will build and scale Epirus' Systems Engineering organization and establish the technical discipline that enables us to rapidly develop, integrate, and field complex HPM systems. This leader will develop a pipeline of Chief Engineers and technical leaders who own systems from concept through verification and deployment, while establishing architecture, requirements, integration, and verification practices that allow hardware, software, manufacturing, and test teams to execute as one. You won't inherit a mature Systems Engineering playbook—you'll help write it. Reporting to the Vice President of Engineering, the Director will lead a multidisciplinary team spanning systems engineering, test engineering, and modeling and analysis; provide system-level technical direction and architectural governance; and empower Chief Engineers and senior technical leaders to own product and subsystem architectures.

Responsibilities:

- Lead and develop a multidisciplinary Systems Engineering organization, establishing a culture of technical excellence, accountability, innovation, and collaboration.
- Build and scale Systems Engineering processes, capabilities, and talent pipelines to support a growing product portfolio.
- Serve as the senior system-level technical authority, providing architectural leadership and driving cross-functional technical trade-offs across performance, cost, schedule, manufacturability, and mission requirements.
- Lead system architecture reviews, interface definition, technical trade studies, and risk management to identify and retire key technical and integration risks early.
- Provide technical leadership across system integration, verification & validation, modeling, analysis, and test, ensuring system performance is measurable and validated against requirements and mission objectives.
- Establish technical baselines, readiness criteria, documentation standards, and clear ownership across Systems Engineering, hardware, software, manufacturing, and test.
- Partner closely with Hardware, Software, Manufacturing, Technical Program Management, and Chief Engineers to align technical strategy, product goals, resources, dependencies, and execution milestones.
- Represent Systems Engineering in internal and external technical reviews and engage directly with customers and stakeholders to ensure solutions remain aligned with requirements, architecture, and mission objectives.
- Plan and prioritize Systems Engineering resources and activities to support program milestones and business objectives.
- Develop and scale Systems Engineering proposal and estimation capabilities, including technical scope, staffing, schedules, assumptions, risks, technical writing, and solution development.

Basic Qualifications:

- BS or MS in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
- 12+ years of Systems Engineering or closely related experience.
- Demonstrated experience building, leading, or scaling a Systems Engineering organization.
- Experience with DoD programs.
- Active SECRET clearance or ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET clearance.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

Experience making high-quality technical decisions in fast-moving, ambiguous, cross-functional

environments.

- Experience with INCOSE standards, DoDAF, or comparable Systems Engineering frameworks.
- Experience leading integration, V&V, test planning, execution, and analysis for complex products.
- Experience scaling requirements, configuration, and lifecycle-management practices using modern
- Systems Engineering/PLM tools (e.g., Jama, Polarion, DOORS).
- Familiarity with MATLAB, Python, or similar engineering analysis.
- Experience maturing Systems Engineering organizations and processes, with a product and customer/market-fit mindset

## ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

- To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR [here](https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/ddtc_public/ddtc_public?id=ddtc_kb_article_page&sys_id=24d528fddbfc930044f9ff621f961987).

At Epirus, you’ll work with technical peers and great people—and get first crack at some of the defining technology challenges of our time. Here, “impossible” is just a challenge. We're a diverse, fast-growing team of change-makers fueling the future of energy with revolutionary solutions. [Join us and rewrite the rules.](https://www.epirusinc.com/open-roles)

As required by the Equal Pay Transparency Act, Epirus provides a reasonable range of minimum compensation for roles that may be hired. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, and specific office location. For the state of California only, the range of starting pay for this role is: $247,800—$276,500 USD

## About Epirus

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Epirus develops software-defined, solid-state high-power microwave (HPM) systems and advanced electronics to defend against drone swarms and asymmetric threats.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series D; total funding $548.4M)
- **Headquarters**: Torrance, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2018
- **Founders**: John T. and Nathan Mintz

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Defense and Space Manufacturing – directed energy, electronic warfare, counter-UAS.
- **Target customers**: U.S. Department of Defense (Army, Navy, Marines), allied governments, and critical‑infrastructure operators (B2G, B2B).
- **Mission**: “To protect and sustain civilization” by advancing the frontiers of high-power microwave technology for asymmetric challenges.

## Products & Services
- **Leonidas™ (High‑Power Microwave System)**: Software‑defined, long‑pulse HPM platform for counter‑drone swarm operations. Defeated a 49‑drone swarm in live‑fire demonstrations. Configurable as fixed, semi‑fixed, or mobile (hitch‑mounted).
- **Leonidas H₂O**: Maritime interdiction variant for unmanned surface vessel (USV) protection.
- **Epirus Pod**: Compact, portable HPM system for special operations, de‑mining, and small‑platform integration.
- **Air Domain Awareness**: Always‑on perception systems using big data and ML to monitor, track, and mitigate UAS incursions.
- **Advanced Electronics**: Hardware/software/AI modules that enable high‑power performance across demanding use cases.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed (conflicting reports; latest funding round implied valuation significant)
- **Key Metric**: Annual Revenue ~$115M (2025–2026 estimate) | Total Funding $548.4M [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/epirus)
- **Notable Investors**: 8VC (lead Series A), T. Rowe Price (lead Series C), M42 (lead corporate round in 2025). Other backers include Stu Shea (board member).
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Headcount of 189 (+19.8% YoY, +41 employees) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/epirus)
  - $250M Series D (2025/2026) closed to hyperscale Leonidas production
  - U.S. Army contracts: $43.5M (IFPC‑HPM Gen II), $66.1M for Leonidas directed‑energy prototypes
  - Finalized delivery of four IFPC‑HPM prototypes to U.S. Army (June 2026)
  - International expansion: offices in Italy and UK, 49k+ LinkedIn followers (70.8% yearly growth)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Solid‑state, long‑pulse HPM** that is software‑defined and scalable – unlike legacy tube‑based systems.
- **AI‑driven intelligent power management** lets power‑hungry systems “do more with less.”
- **Rapid prototyping & delivery** – Leonidas was delivered to the U.S. Army in record time.
- **Proven against real‑swarm threats** – 100% kill rate in 49‑drone demonstration.
- **Modular, vehicle‑agnostic architecture** that integrates with existing sensor and weapon platforms.

## Strategic Focus
- Scaling Leonidas production capacity for critical‑asset protection (driven by $250M Series D) [epirusinc.com](https://www.epirusinc.com/)
- Expanding maritime capabilities (Leonidas H₂O) and pod‑based EW for special operations.
- Deepening partnership with U.S. Army (IFPC‑HPM program) and entering allied markets (UK, Italy).
- Continuing to invest in AI/ML for air‑domain awareness and autonomous threat identification.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture & Values**: Built on four pillars – Accountability, Respect, Commitment, Speed with Discipline. Described as “Neo Prime” for asymmetric warfare – fast‑paced, mission‑driven.
- **Work Environment**: Hybrid/flexible with offices in Torrance (HQ), Hawthorne, and Law (innovation center). Casual dress, catered lunches, stocked kitchens.
- **Benefits**:
  - Up to 100% paid medical coverage, robust vision & dental, flex accounts.
  - Stock options (full vesting), 6% 401k match, annual dependent‑care support, monthly electronics stipend.
  - 19 paid holidays + unlimited PTO + generous parental leave.
  - Free gyms, Calm app subscriptions, unlimited mental‑health access, pet insurance.
- **Engineering Culture**: “Impossible is just a challenge” – fast iteration, cross‑functional teams, blend of startup mentality and aerospace/defense experience. Alumni from SpaceX, Anduril, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin.
- **Growth**: 40 active job postings (monthly +53.8%, yearly +100%); rapid headcount increase and major contracts signal stability and scaling.

## Sources
1. [Epirus Website](https://www.epirusinc.com/)
2. [Epirus About Page](https://www.epirusinc.com/about)
3. [Epirus Careers Page](https://www.epirusinc.com/careers)
4. [Epirus LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/epirus)

## Other roles at Epirus

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- [Senior Manufacturing Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-manufacturing-engineer-epirus-torrance-r4fh3ss6v2vw) — Torrance, CA
- [Senior Technical Project Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-technical-project-manager-epirus-torrance-qeg5h238qdw5) — Torrance, CA
- [Director International Programs & Commercialization](https://feeny.ai/job/director-international-programs-commercialization-epirus-torrance-ag9wv01dw6x1) — Torrance, CA
- [Program Manager - Product Demonstrations](https://feeny.ai/job/program-manager-product-demonstrations-epirus-torrance-3k93akgc3nsb) — Torrance, CA
- [Principal Harness Design Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-harness-design-engineer-epirus-torrance-9jh8jpd2byr8) — Torrance, CA
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