Advanced Systems Engineer - Free Space Optics (FSO)

General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc • Annapolis Junction, MD

11d • $124,445 - $132,000 • Onsite

About The Position

As an Advanced Systems Engineer on the GDMS Free Space Optical (FSO) communications team, you will help define, develop, integrate, and verify FSO products as they mature from prototype to product. You will work across electrical, optical, mechanical, software, and test disciplines to translate customer and mission needs into clear system requirements and practical technical solutions. This role supports multiple programs across space, airborne, and tactical ground domains, with opportunities to own meaningful system engineering work and grow within an experienced, collaborative team.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, or a related Science, Engineering or Mathematics field, plus a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree, plus a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience.
• Ability to obtain a Department of Defense TS/SCI security clearance is required at time of hire.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Strong proficiency with requirements management and system modeling tools.
• Creative thinker motivated to apply technical standards and methodologies to develop solutions.
• Collaborative team player.
• Strong presentation and communications skills with experience in the art of negotiation.
• Ability to meet challenging customer requirements with win-win solutions.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development for yourself and others.

Nice To Haves

• Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE): Develop and maintain system models, requirements traceability, interfaces, and system architectures using tools such as Cameo or similar SysML-based platforms.
• Optical systems understanding: Apply knowledge of optical fundamentals, including beam propagation, alignment, link budgets, pointing and tracking, and environmental effects, to support FSO system design and integration.
• Cross-functional system integration: Use MBSE artifacts and optical-domain knowledge to coordinate interfaces among optical, electrical, mechanical, software, and test teams, and support system-level verification.

Responsibilities

• Define, develop, integrate, and verify FSO products.
• Translate customer and mission needs into system requirements and technical solutions.
• Work across electrical, optical, mechanical, software, and test disciplines.
• Support multiple programs across space, airborne, and tactical ground domains.
• Lead the systems development life cycle.
• Apply technical standards and methodologies to develop solutions.
• Provide technical leadership.
• Present and communicate effectively, including negotiation skills.
• Meet challenging customer requirements with win-win solutions.
• Commit to ongoing professional development for yourself and others.
• Identify opportunities to apply AI for continuous improvement and innovation.

Benefits

• Opportunities for continuous learning and development.
• Research oriented work.
• Flexible schedules with every other Friday off work (9/80 schedule).
• Competitive benefits, including 401k matching, flex time off, paid parental leave, healthcare benefits, health & wellness programs, employee resource and social groups, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior