Senior Staff Systems Engineer

Twenty-Six Defense • Merrimack, NH

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Staff Systems Engineer – Seeker SME serves as the technical authority for the design, development, integration, testing, verification, and validation of Semi‑Active Laser (SAL), Imaging (EO/IR), and RF seekers for precision‑guided weapon systems. This role leads the development of seeker algorithms, performance‑simulation models, and end‑to‑end terminal‑guidance behaviors for all‑up rounds. The Seeker SME partners closely with cross‑functional teams - optical, software, electrical, mechanical, GNC, and production - to transition designs into production‑ready seekers. As the primary subject‑matter expert, this position requires regular customer interaction and close collaboration with business development to shape technical roadmaps aligned with emerging needs. The ideal candidate has deep experience in laser‑seeker physics, RF radar/seeker architectures, signal processing, algorithm development, and full weapon‑system integration and test, including ground, captive‑carry, and flight testing.

Requirements

• BS + 12 years of relevant experience; MS + 9 years of relevant experience; PhD + 7 years of relevant experience
• Advanced technical expertise in seeker technologies, including AESA and phased‑array radars, monopulse angle‑tracking techniques, millimeter‑wave (MMW) seekers, multimode RF/SAL/Imaging seekers, and hybrid guidance architectures.
• Experience with optical phenomena relevant to SAL and Imaging seekers, including radome effects, optical/IR propagation, laser energy degradation through atmospherics, boresight alignment, optical distortion, and backscatter impacts.
• Proficiency with advanced modeling and simulation tools, including MATLAB/Simulink, Python‑based analysis environments, RF target simulators, optical simulation tools, and seeker end‑to‑end performance modeling frameworks.
• Hands‑on experience with HWIL/SWIL test environments, RF target emulators, laser test benches, IR collimators, motion platforms, optical alignment tools, and automated calibration/verification equipment.
• Familiarity with Model‑Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), including SysML/Cameo for system architecture, requirements modeling, behavioral diagrams, interface definition, and verification planning.
• Knowledge of weapon‑system environmental qualification, including ESS, vibe, thermal cycling, shock, EMI/EMC, and real‑world seeker survivability considerations.
• Experience supporting ground, captive‑carry, and flight test campaigns, including test planning, instrumentation, on‑range troubleshooting, and quick‑look analysis of seeker telemetry data.
• Background in countermeasure environments, including ECM/ECCM, SAL countermeasure rejection techniques, clutter‑suppression filtering, false‑target discrimination, target reacquisition logic, and terminal‑engagement robustness.
• Strong understanding of embedded software/firmware integration, digital signal processing chains, FPGA‑based seeker implementations, and high‑rate data‑path design.
• Prior customer‑facing engineering experience, proposal support, technical roadmap development, and collaboration with business development on future seeker architectures.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical authority for SAL, Imaging (EO/IR), and RF seeker technologies internally and with customers.
• Lead seeker architecture definition, requirements decomposition, and technical trade studies across optical, RF, electronic, mechanical, software, and GNC domains.
• Lead design, development, integration, testing, verification, and validation activities for SAL and Imaging seekers, with added responsibility for RF seeker system analysis and architecture.
• Develop seeker performance simulation models for SAL, Imaging, and RF domains.
• Guide development of algorithms for target detection, tracking, angle estimation, filtering, countermeasure rejection, and terminal guidance performance.
• Support customer field test events and provide expert guidance on test planning and execution.
• Conduct seeker calibration and verification using laser tables, IR collimators, optical benches, and RF target simulators.
• Generate test scripts to automate calibration and verification workflows.
• Partner with optical, electrical, software, mechanical, RF, and GNC engineering teams to drive robust, integrated seeker designs.
• Recommend and document seeker design updates to improve performance, robustness, manufacturability, and resilience in contested environments.
• Communicate technical concepts, risks, and decisions clearly to customers and senior leadership.
• Work closely with business development to shape seeker technical roadmaps aligned to customer needs, future mission profiles, and competitive landscape.
• Maintain awareness of industry trends, threat evolution, seeker technology advancements, and emerging algorithmic/processing techniques in SAL, RF, and Imaging domains.

Benefits

• Most locations offer a 9/80 schedule, providing every other Friday off
• Competitive compensation & 401(k) program to plan for your future
• Robust medical, dental, vision, & disability coverage with qualified wellness discounts
• Basic Life Insurance and Additional Life & AD&D Insurances are available
• Flexible Vacation & PTO
• Paid Parental Leave
• Generous Employee Referral Program
• Voluntary Benefits Available: Longer Term Care, Legal, Identity Theft, Pet Insurance, and more
• Voluntary Tricare Supplement available for military retirees

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior