Sr Prin Component Engineer (Electrical Engineer)

Mercury Systems•Columbia, MD

12h

About The Position

Mercury Systems is seeking a Senior Principal Component Engineer to lead component engineering strategy across high-visibility space and defense programs. The role supports mission-critical technologies and influences design decisions for aerospace and defense applications. The engineer works with customers, government agencies, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to ensure products meet program requirements and contractual obligations. The position leads component reviews and analyses, technology insertion and component selection, proposal efforts, and the development of drawings, verification packages, risk assessments, specifications, and test plans. It also supports part qualifications, alternate-part evaluations, reliability assessments, and material review board activities; presents non-standard part and material approval requests to customers; and develops component engineering processes. The engineer mentors junior staff and promotes knowledge sharing.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline, or 10+ years of relevant component engineering experience in lieu of a college degree.
Ideally 10+ years of relevant industry experience in defense or aerospace.
Prior experience as a lead component engineer, parts engineer, reliability engineer, or in a similar role on defense, aerospace, or space programs.
Prior experience representing component engineering on proposals for space and military applications.
Strong knowledge of military and industry standards, including MIL, ASTM, AEC, ESA, and NASA.
Understanding of electronic fabrication processes such as SMT, chip and wire, and hybrids, as well as circuit card assembly design and manufacturing.
Experience with NSPAR processes, environmental testing (MIL-STD-883), 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, including microprocessors, FPGAs, and network switches.
Prior experience in Quality or Supplier Quality organizations and 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.
Lead component engineering proposal efforts, including analyzing and providing basis of estimates.
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 EEEE parts specifications and screening and qualification test plans; manage part qualifications with external test houses.
Present non-standard part approval requests (NSPARS), non-standard material approval requests (NSMARS), and technical findings to customers.
Design and lead component engineering processes for part reviews, documentation, up-screen management, and non-conformance tracking.
Mentor junior engineers and promote knowledge sharing across programs.