Principal Systems Engineering - SDS Systems (Onsite)
About The Position
Strategic Defense Solutions is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer (P4) to lead and support the design, development, and validation of multi-domain Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) mission systems for aircraft and ground stations supporting U.S. military customers. This role places strong emphasis on front-end program execution , including bids, proposals, and capture activities , while continuing to provide deep technical leadership across hardware and software systems—from standalone “black box” solutions to complex, end-to-end platform architectures. The successful candidate will serve as a technical authority during pursuit phases, shaping system concepts, requirements, architectures, and technical baselines to enable competitive, executable proposals.
Requirements
- Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience
- The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued Security Clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.
- Demonstrated experience developing, decomposing, and deriving system and subsystem requirements.
- Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE ) concepts and tools.
- Proven experience defining system and subsystem designs.
- Experience supporting or leading technical contributions to bids, proposals, and pursuits.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with NC3-relevant communications technologies, including VLF, LF, HF, V/UHF, and/or MILSATCOM.
- SysML implementation using Cameo, MagicDraw, or Rhapsody.
- Experience with DOORS or similar requirements management tools.
- Familiarity with Agile development methodologies in a systems context.
- Working knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM).
- Experience communicating with external customers and government stakeholders.
- Participation in capture planning, proposal reviews, and competitive assessments.
- Experience with peer reviews, configuration management, and change control processes.
Responsibilities
- Lead systems engineering activities for bids, proposals, and capture efforts, including requirements analysis, solution architecture development, technical baselining, and risk assessment.
- Translate customer needs, CONOPS, and draft requirements into feasible, affordable, and executable system solutions during pursuit and execution phases.
- Capture, analyze, decompose, derive, and trace system and subsystem requirements across proposed and awarded programs.
- Develop and assess system architectures, models, and trade studies to support proposal discriminators and design decisions.
- Define verification strategies and test approaches at the system and subsystem levels.
- Support proposal development, including technical volumes, BOEs, compliance matrices, and technical review participation.
- Plan and execute project-level work to meet schedule, cost, and performance objectives, with awareness of Earned Value impacts.
- Identify, evaluate, and manage technical risks and opportunities, particularly during early program phases.
- Interface with cross-functional teams including Engineering, Program Management, Business Development, Finance, Quality, and Operations.
- Represent the Systems Engineering function in internal and external customer and stakeholder engagements.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees
- Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option
- Tuition reimbursement program
- Student Loan Repayment Program
- Life insurance and disability coverage
- Optional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection
- Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
- Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning
- Adoption Assistance
- Autism Benefit
- Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions
- Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program
- Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits
- Bright Horizons, child and elder care services
- Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program
- May be eligible for Relocation
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
