Principal Component Engineer

Mercury Systems•Huntsville, AL

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Mercury Systems is hiring a Principal Component Engineer to lead component engineering strategy across high-visibility space and terrestrial defense programs. The role supports mission-critical technologies by influencing design decisions and strengthening products for aerospace and defense applications. It is a hybrid position based in Huntsville, Alabama; Chantilly, Virginia; Cypress, California; or Andover, Massachusetts. The engineer leads EEEE parts or materials-and-processes engineering, ensuring components comply with space, military, and customer requirements. The role involves collaborating with customers, government agencies, suppliers, and cross-functional teams; guiding technology insertion and component standardization; developing specifications, test plans, verification packages, and risk assessments; and supporting part qualification, reliability assessment, and material review board activities. The engineer also presents technical findings and non-standard part requests to customers and mentors junior engineers. Mercury Systems is a technology company focused on aerospace and defense missions, with more than 2,300 employees across 24 locations worldwide. The company describes its culture as collaborative, communicative, and supportive of employee learning and growth, including comprehensive skills training and tuition reimbursement.

Requirements

Ideally, a bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline, or 10 or more years of relevant experience in lieu of a college degree.
Ideally, at least 6 years of relevant industry experience in defense, aerospace, or electronics.
Prior experience as a lead component engineer, parts engineer, reliability engineer, or in a similar role on defense, aerospace, or space programs.
Strong knowledge of military and industry standards, including MIL, ASTM, AEC, ESA, and NASA standards.
Understanding of electronic fabrication processes such as SMT, chip and wire, hybrids, and circuit card assembly design and manufacturing.
Experience presenting non-standard part approval requests (NSPARs), non-standard material approval requests (NSMARs), and technical findings to customers.
Experience with NSPAR processes, MIL-STD-883 environmental testing, and passive and active component reliability.
Active Secret Clearance or ability to obtain one; U.S. citizenship is required.

Nice To Haves

Active Secret Clearance.
Understanding of failure modes in passive components and packaged active devices.
Experience in design engineering, particularly for space-based programs.
Background collaborating with suppliers, including PPAPs, qualification reports, and documentation review.
Experience designing complex embedded digital hardware, such as microprocessors, FPGAs, and network switches.
Prior experience in Quality or Supplier Quality organizations, with familiarity with AS9100, AS9102, and QMS requirements.
Proficiency with PLM, MES, or quality management systems.

Responsibilities

Serve as the lead EEEE parts or materials-and-processes engineer across space and terrestrial programs, driving component engineering strategy.
Lead component reviews, assessments, and analyses to ensure compliance with space, military, and customer program requirements.
Collaborate with customers, government agencies, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to resolve supply chain issues, mature PMP processes, and meet contractual obligations.
Guide technology insertion, component selection, and standardization while balancing business, environmental, and circuit application constraints.
Generate and update component drawings, verification packages, and risk assessments supporting design reviews.
Perform alternate-part evaluations and reliability assessments, and support MRB activities.
Develop EEE parts specifications and screening and qualification test plans, and manage part qualifications with external test houses.
Present non-standard part requests (NSPARs) and technical findings to customers.
Mentor junior engineers and promote knowledge sharing across programs.