Principal Aerospace Engineer – Autonomous System

SRC•Albuquerque, NM

1d•$115,000 - $160,000•Onsite

About The Position

SRC, Inc. is seeking a Principal Aerospace Engineer with an autonomous systems background for an upcoming position contingent on task award. The role supports the Department of War’s efforts to identify and defeat hard deeply buried targets (HDBT). It calls for a strong technical foundation in unmanned aerial systems; positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT); remote sensing; telemetry and communications; remote and autonomous sensor development and deployment; autonomy for precision placement control networks; integration of technology into end-to-end WMD/HDBT programs; and transition strategies through Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). The engineer will collaborate across multidisciplinary government, military, and contractor teams. The position involves delivery-system development, weapon-performance optimization, platform integration and trajectory analysis, and penetrator design and materials. The engineer will develop and evaluate autonomous systems, assess aerial platform performance using modeling, simulation, and empirical test data, ensure sensor and communications compatibility with host aircraft, and contribute to sensor technologies from concept development through prototype evaluation and fielding support. This is a full-time, salaried position based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with 10% travel. The role requires an active Top Secret/SCI clearance or eligibility to obtain one at application time. The anticipated salary range is $115,000 to $160,000 annually, depending on experience, skills, abilities, location, and organizational needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related engineering field focused on aerial autonomous systems.
At least 10 years of development experience.
Active Top Secret/SCI security clearance, or eligibility at time of application.
Proficiency in flight mechanics and integration of autonomous sensors.
Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as MATLAB, STK, or similar simulation environments.
Experience supporting platform integration, including aircraft-store compatibility, carriage and release analysis, or related systems engineering functions.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce and present technical deliverables to government stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Experience with current, preoperational, and developmental unmanned aerial programs within the Department of War.
Familiarity with MIL-SPEC and STANAG standards applicable to aerial platforms, testing, and airworthiness certification.
Strong knowledge of electronic-protect PNT capabilities and PNT-protection tactics, techniques, and procedures for aerial-platform navigation and control.
Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering or a related field, or equivalent advanced technical training.
Experience in an agile or Integrated Product Team (IPT) environment supporting rapid development, prototyping, and field testing.

Responsibilities

Develop delivery systems and optimize weapon performance.
Perform platform integration and trajectory analysis, including penetrator design and materials work.
Design, develop, and evaluate autonomous systems, analyzing aerodynamic performance, operating environments, and integration across sensor, communications, and ground-control systems.
Assess aerial-platform performance optimization using computational modeling, simulation tools, and empirical test data to improve range, accuracy, and reliability.
Ensure compatibility between sensors, communications systems, and host aircraft through platform integration.
Contribute to research, development, and integration of new sensor technologies from concept development through prototype evaluation and fielding support.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary government, military, and contractor teams.