Principal Systems Architect

Capstone Research Corporation•Huntsville, AL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Capstone Research Corporation seeks a Principal Systems Architect to serve as a senior technical authority and subject matter expert supporting the development of advanced defense capabilities for the Department of War (DoW). This senior individual-contributor role is based in the company’s Huntsville, Alabama office and emphasizes technical authority, innovation, and engineering judgment rather than program management or direct personnel supervision. The architect provides technical leadership and architectural direction to multidisciplinary engineering teams developing advanced algorithms and integrated system-of-systems solutions for Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD), Command and Control (C2), integrated fire control, and long-range precision fires. The role calls for deep expertise in sensor fusion, automated battle management, and weapon assignment, together with strong foundations in mathematics, physics, and engineering. The successful candidate applies analytical expertise and knowledge of sensor systems, tracking and correlation, guidance and control, modeling and simulation, and systems engineering to guide algorithm development, evaluate technical solutions, and advance mission-critical defense capabilities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a closely related technical discipline.
Minimum of 15+ years of progressively responsible technical experience in defense systems engineering, advanced technology development, applied research, or related disciplines.
Exceptional technical expertise in sensor fusion, automated battle management, and weapon assignment, including their mathematical foundations, algorithmic approaches, and operational considerations.
Strong foundation in applied mathematics and physics, including estimation theory, probability and statistics, optimization, numerical methods, and system dynamics, with demonstrated ability to establish technical direction and guide advanced algorithm development.
Working knowledge of radar and electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor systems; target tracking and correlation; data association; distributed tracking; guidance, navigation and control (GNC); and sensor-to-shooter integration.
Working knowledge of modeling and simulation for algorithm development, performance evaluation, and validation, as well as systems engineering, MBSE, Agile software development, and AI/ML concepts.
Demonstrated ability to independently evaluate complex technical challenges, lead multidisciplinary engineering efforts, and communicate authoritative technical recommendations to senior government and industry stakeholders.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical discipline, with 20+ years of relevant experience and recognized technical leadership in IAMD, C2, integrated fire control, or advanced defense research and development.
Advanced knowledge of statistical estimation, multi-target tracking, and sensor fusion methodologies, including Kalman filtering, interacting multiple model (IMM) estimation, multiple hypothesis tracking (MHT), joint probabilistic data association (JPDA), and distributed track correlation.
Advanced expertise in threat evaluation and weapon assignment (TEWA), engagement coordination, multi-objective optimization, resource allocation, and automated battle management decision aids.
Experience applying AI/ML, neural networks, deep learning, reinforcement learning, or AI-assisted engineering tools to sensor fusion, algorithm development, engagement optimization, and automated decision-making.
Experience directing modeling and simulation activities using tools such as AFSIM or MATLAB; familiarity with scientific computing environments such as MATLAB, Python, and C++; and MBSE tools and languages such as Cameo Enterprise Architect, SysML, UML, or UAFML.
Experience supporting programs involving IBCS, MDA, JTIFC, or comparable joint defense capabilities, including advanced research, experimentation, and technology development.
Active Top Secret security clearance; SCI eligibility preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as a principal technical authority and subject matter expert, providing technical leadership and architectural direction for advanced IAMD, C2, integrated fire control, and automated battle management solutions supporting joint and multi-domain operations.
Lead and guide advanced algorithm development, including establishing technical approaches, performance requirements, and evaluation criteria for sensor fusion, multi-sensor tracking and correlation, threat evaluation, engagement coordination, and weapon-target assignment.
Apply advanced mathematical, statistical, and physical principles to evaluate algorithm architectures, assess technical alternatives, resolve complex engineering challenges, and guide multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Direct technical analyses, architectural trade studies, and the development and application of modeling and simulation environments to design, evaluate, refine, and validate advanced algorithms and integrated defense capabilities.
Provide technical direction for systems engineering, MBSE, and Agile software development activities, aligning operational concepts, system architectures, requirements, analytical models, and implemented software solutions.
Evaluate and guide the application of AI, machine learning, neural networks, and emerging technologies to complex defense problems.
Serve as a trusted technical advisor to DoW customers and mentor engineering teams.