Principal Systems Engineering Lead

Principal Systems Engineering Lead

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in systems engineering for aerospace, defense, or autonomous aircraft systems.
• Deep expertise in system architecture, avionics integration, and autonomy-driven flight systems.
• Proficiency in MBSE, DOORS, SysML, or similar system modeling tools for complex systems design and analysis.
• Experience with Group 4 or Group 5 UAS, military aircraft, or autonomous airborne platforms.
• Strong background in flight testing, system integration, and performance validation.
• Knowledge of DoD acquisition processes, MIL-STDs, FAA airworthiness certification, and airborne system safety standards.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive complex projects to successful completion.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, agile development environment with shifting priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead System Architecture & Design: Develop and refine the system architecture for the next gen UAS, ensuring seamless integration of avionics, autonomy, propulsion, sensor payloads, and mission systems.
• Define and Manage System Requirements: Establish top-level requirements, decompose them into subsystems, and maintain traceability across the development lifecycle.
• Autonomy & AI Integration: Work closely with autonomy and software teams to integrate AI-driven flight control, decision-making, and mission execution capabilities.
• Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE): Utilize SysML, DOORS, or other MBSE tools to create digital system models, conduct trade studies, and optimize system performance.
• Flight Testing & Performance Optimization: Develop test plans, oversee flight test execution, and analyze test data to refine system design and ensure performance objectives are met.
• Sensor & Avionics Integration: Guide the integration of advanced ISR sensors, electronic warfare systems, and next-gen avionics into the UAS platform.
• Risk Management & Trade Studies: Conduct trade studies to evaluate design alternatives, assess technical risks, and ensure the best engineering solutions for mission effectiveness.
• Stakeholder & Customer Engagement: Work closely with DoD stakeholders, industry partners, and government agencies to align system capabilities with operational requirements.
• Mission Effectiveness & Survivability: Optimize the UAS for contested environments, ensuring high reliability, resilience, and stealth capabilities in denied airspace operations.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with hardware, autonomy, software, propulsion, and flight operations teams to drive seamless system integration and rapid development cycles.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing AI-driven autonomy for unmanned aircraft.
• Expertise in ISR, EW, and advanced sensor integration for airborne platforms.
• Familiarity with modular open system architectures (MOSA) for defense applications.
• Prior experience working with defense primes, DoD stakeholders, or government R&D programs.
• Active Secret or Top Secret clearance (or ability to obtain one).