Lead Systems Engineer – Team Leader

University of Dayton, Ohio•Dayton, OH

11d

About The Position

The University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) Space Power Systems Office develops advanced power technologies for future space exploration, working with NASA, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and commercial industry. UDRI is seeking an experienced systems engineering leader to develop advanced radioisotope power systems, space power architectures, thermal systems, and related aerospace technologies. The role translates customer objectives into integrated technical solutions from concept development through prototype demonstration and qualification. The position leads the Design, Assembly, and Test Team, transforming digital engineering products into assembled, integrated, and qualified hardware while maintaining engineering configuration, quality, and technical integrity throughout development. The successful candidate leads multidisciplinary work across systems and digital engineering, mechanical design, analysis, qualification testing, and technology maturation. In collaboration with sponsors, industry partners, and internal teams, the role defines system architectures, manages technical risk, develops verification strategies, and supports engineering decisions with analysis, testing, and correlation. The role offers the opportunity to contribute to technologies for potential lunar exploration, planetary science, national security, and other aerospace programs. It calls for intellectual curiosity, sound engineering judgment, and the ability to lead teams through first-of-a-kind technical challenges, including situations where requirements evolve as technologies mature.

Requirements

Master's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Materials, Systems Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
At least 10 years of experience in a related engineering position.
Experience developing complex aerospace, defense, energy, or other highly integrated engineered systems.
Ability to create, read, and interpret models, technical drawings, schematics, and computer-generated reports.
Working knowledge of engineering design tools, including CAD, requirements management, data management, or model-based systems engineering environments.
Experience interpreting engineering analyses, including structural, thermal, dynamic, electrical, or reliability analyses.
Ability to follow instructions and demonstrate attention to detail.
Strong problem-solving skills.
Ability to collaborate successfully within a multidisciplinary team.
Customer focus and a record of customer satisfaction.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Project or program management experience.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Must be a U.S. citizen due to requirements of research contracts with the U.S. federal government.
Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret Clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading multidisciplinary hardware integration and test teams.
Experience developing assembly procedures, manufacturing work instructions, and integration plans.
Experience with prototype development, qualification testing, and flight hardware assembly.
Familiarity with configuration management throughout prototype and qualification hardware builds.
Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering organizations.
Experience integrating engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance, and safety organizations during hardware development.
Experience working in laboratory or cleanroom environments supporting aerospace hardware development.
Experience with radioisotope power systems, spacecraft power systems, nuclear systems, energy conversion, or advanced thermal management.
Experience supporting NASA, DOE, DoD, AFRL, DARPA, or other federal aerospace programs.
Experience leading Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR), Critical Design Reviews (CDR), Test Readiness Reviews (TRR), and Qualification Reviews.
Experience with requirements management tools such as DOORS or equivalent.
Experience with model-based systems engineering tools such as Cameo, MagicDraw, SysML, or equivalent.
Experience developing qualification plans for flight hardware.
Proposal development and technical volume writing.
Proficiency in Ansys or Abaqus for finite element analysis (FEA).
Familiarity with manufacturing processes such as casting, CNC machining, forging, heat treating, and additive manufacturing for metals and plastics.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Professional Engineer (PE) certification.
Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
Systems Engineering certification.
Active U.S. security clearance.

Responsibilities

Lead multidisciplinary Design, Assembly, and Test teams through prototype fabrication, system integration, checkout, and qualification testing.
Develop assembly strategies, manufacturing travelers, integration procedures, and test readiness documentation.
Coordinate engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance, safety, and project management personnel during hardware builds.
Resolve technical issues encountered during fabrication, assembly, and testing while maintaining engineering configuration.
Establish and maintain engineering configuration baselines throughout design, fabrication, assembly, testing, and qualification, ensuring traceability between digital product definitions, hardware configurations, analyses, and test results.
Balance schedule, technical performance, manufacturability, quality, and risk throughout the hardware development lifecycle.
Mentor engineers and technicians during hardware development, integration, and test activities.
Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams developing advanced space power systems from concept through prototype qualification.
Develop system architectures, technical baselines, and engineering strategies for complex aerospace systems.
Guide engineering trade studies and technical decision-making using analytical and experimental evidence.
Develop and manage system requirements, interfaces, functional architectures, verification methods, and technical baselines using modern systems engineering practices.
Apply systems engineering, model-based systems engineering (MBSE), and digital engineering methods.
Develop integrated verification and qualification strategies consistent with customer and program requirements.
Ensure technical continuity from concept development through engineering model fabrication, qualification testing, and transition to flight-ready designs.
Plan and oversee system-level structural, thermal, electrical, dynamic, and reliability analyses.
Develop Verification, Analysis, and Correlation (VAC) strategies to mature designs and reduce technical risk progressively.
Plan and execute component, subsystem, and system qualification testing.
Serve as a primary technical interface with government and industry sponsors.
Present technical results at design reviews, technical interchange meetings, and customer briefings.
Support proposal development and strategic technology planning.
Provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams and mentor junior engineers.
Promote engineering best practices and continuous process improvement.