Systems Engineer - 1618

SARA • Colorado Springs, CO

25d • Onsite

About The Position

Scientific Applications & Research Associates, Inc. (SARA) is seeking a talented, motivated, and imaginative Systems Engineer with a strong electrical engineering or physics background for its Test and Measurement Products team in Colorado Springs, CO. This role supports product development and commercialization, transitioning innovative technologies to the DoD, DoE, and their contractors. The candidate will have the opportunity to grow and learn within a multidisciplinary team, contributing from conception through operation. The Systems Engineer will bridge technical vision and hands-on execution, translating high-level objectives into clear requirements, plans, and results. This position involves close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams (electrical, mechanical, software, manufacturing) to ensure systems meet performance, schedule, and quality goals. The ideal candidate is a self-starter comfortable with limited direction, engaging confidently with stakeholders, and possessing both technical depth and a systems-level perspective.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related technical field
• 8 – 10 years of professional experience in systems engineering, hardware/electrical design, or a related engineering discipline
• Demonstrated experience leading or driving product development cycles from concept through delivery
• Proven ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams (e.g., mechanical, software, manufacturing, quality)
• Strong track record of translating high-level or ambiguous requirements into actionable technical plans with minimal guidance
• Experience communicating technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders (executives, customers, cross-functional partners)
• Solid foundation in systems-level thinking — requirements definition, trade studies, interface management, or verification/validation
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Advanced proficiency with diagnostic equipment (oscilloscopes, signal generators, network analyzers)
• Strong data analysis skills using Excel, MATLAB, and Mathcad
• Available for up to 25% travel for on-site testing
• Experience working fast paced, high pressure, and varied test environments
• Self-motivated with demonstrated ability to work independently
• Ability to seek out personnel and lead teams to accomplish tasks
• Strong problem-solving skills with resilience in challenging situations
• Excellent documentation and technical communication abilities
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities from multiple stakeholders in dynamic environments
• Track record of continuous learning and skill development
• US Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain DoD Top Secret security clearance
• May require moderate physical effort, involving standing, sitting and using hands while performing duties, carrying or lifting up to 25 pounds

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field
• 10 – 13 years of relevant experience
• Experience practically applying systems engineering principles on real products.
• Experience owning stakeholder relationships across varying levels of seniority, including executive-level updates while leading projects
• Hands-on experience integrating products with RF, electronic, mechanical, firmware, software, and IT security aspects.
• Comfort operating in ambiguity, with a bias toward proactive ownership rather than waiting for detailed direction
• Active DoD Top Secret or DoE Q clearance
• Demonstrated potential for technical leadership
• Familiarity with electromagnetic modeling tools
• Excellent technical writing skills for customer-facing proposals, project updates, and reports.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a technical authority and product owner for portions of SARA’s commercially available and in-development Test and Measurement Products
• Represent SARA while leading product trainings and presentations for customers
• Regularly communicate with customers
• Develop cost proposals and technical proposals based on customer inquiries
• Lead systems engineering efforts across the full product development lifecycle, from concept and requirements definition through design, integration, verification, and deployment
• Interface with production teams to ensure consistent and quality assembly with continuously updated documentation
• Regularly reflect on marketplace competition and ensure products are technically relevant
• Translate high-level goals and ambiguous problem statements into clear technical requirements, work breakdowns, and execution plans
• Coordinate and align multidisciplinary teams (electrical, mechanical, software, manufacturing, quality) to keep development on schedule and technically coherent
• Own key interfaces and trade-off decisions between subsystems, balancing performance, cost, schedule, and risk
• Communicate project status, technical risks, and decisions clearly to stakeholders with varying levels of technical background, from engineers to executives
• Drive design reviews, test planning, and verification/validation activities to ensure products meet requirements
• Identify technical risks early and proactively develop mitigation plans
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to continuous improvement of engineering processes
• Design and implement advanced measurement systems, including instrumentation, data acquisition, and sensor interfaces

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance; and other supplemental programs
• A generous PTO program (vacation, sick, holiday)
• Tuition & certification reimbursement
• Flexible work schedules
• Discretionary Employee bonuses
• 401(k) match/profit sharing
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

What This Job Offers

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