Principal Systems Engineer – Secure Systems

Saige Partners•Cedar Rapids, IA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Systems Engineer is responsible for leading the analysis, architecture, design, integration, and verification of complex, secure communication systems supporting defense and national security programs. This role partners with multidisciplinary engineering teams to develop end-to-end system solutions that meet stringent customer, security, and performance requirements. The ideal candidate has extensive experience throughout the systems engineering lifecycle and thrives in a collaborative environment focused on solving complex technical challenges. This position requires an active, transferable U.S. Secret Security Clearance on the first day of employment. U.S. citizenship is required.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or another STEM-related discipline.
Minimum of 8 years of systems engineering experience, or 5 years with an advanced technical degree.
Active and transferable U.S. Secret Security Clearance required prior to start.
U.S. citizenship required.
Experience with the complete systems engineering lifecycle, including: Requirements development and management, System architecture and design, Requirements decomposition, System integration, Verification & Validation (V&V), Production transition
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical leadership skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present technical information to both engineering and executive leadership.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting defense, aerospace, or secure communications programs.
Familiarity with the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) or Agile development methodologies.
Experience with cryptographic hardware architecture and secure communication systems.
Knowledge of network encryption technologies, security protocols, and testing methodologies.
Experience using systems engineering and requirements management tools such as: IBM DOORS, Cameo Systems Modeler (SysML), Similar Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools
Programming or scripting experience using Python, Rust, or similar languages.
Experience with hardware/software integration.
Experience performing system qualification, verification, and validation testing.
Knowledge of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) principles.

Responsibilities

Lead systems engineering activities throughout the full product lifecycle, including concept development, architecture, design, fabrication, integration, testing, deployment, sustainment, and end-of-life planning.
Analyze customer requirements and translate system-level needs into hardware and software specifications.
Perform system architecture development, functional decomposition, requirements allocation, and interface definition.
Develop subsystem and component-level requirements while ensuring complete traceability to customer and system requirements.
Create system verification strategies, validation plans, and acceptance criteria.
Conduct trade studies, performance analyses, and technical evaluations to support system design decisions.
Lead system integration, verification, validation, qualification, and transition to production.
Perform technical planning, risk assessments, cost analyses, and supportability evaluations for complex system solutions.
Collaborate with hardware, software, cybersecurity, manufacturing, and test engineering teams throughout program execution.
Support proposal development, technical volume creation, and customer bid activities.
Present technical solutions, program status, and engineering recommendations to customers, program leadership, and executive management.
Ensure engineering solutions meet security, reliability, and mission-critical performance requirements.