Principal/ Sr. Principal Communications Electronics Engineer

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to the development of advanced communications subsystems supporting complex mission-critical platforms. You’ll work across architecture, requirements, interfaces, integration, verification, and validation to help deliver reliable communications capabilities.

About the role

The position combines hands-on technical engineering with supplier collaboration, technical analysis, and customer engagement. You’ll participate in architectural trade studies, risk assessments, laboratory integration, and technical design reviews. Success requires strong problem-solving skills, independent judgment, and the ability to translate complex technical requirements into effective solutions. You’ll collaborate with engineering teams, suppliers, customers, and program leadership in a highly technical environment.

Responsibilities

• Analyze network architectures and topologies for distributed communications applications and contribute to the development of functional subsystem architectures.
• Conduct technical trade studies for radio and integrated communications system (ICS) subsystem architectures, evaluating performance, risks, and mission requirements.
• Support the development, integration, testing, and validation of communications subsystems and components against platform mission objectives.
• Develop, manage, and verify technical requirements, interfaces, and allocated subsystem requirements throughout the engineering lifecycle.
• Work directly with communications suppliers to support the integration of radio and ICS systems into laboratory environments.
• Perform technical risk assessments, develop mitigation strategies, and track identified risks through resolution.
• Develop and maintain supplier documentation, including performance-based specifications, statements of work, and Interface Control Documents.
• Review supplier development documentation and participate in technical interchange meetings, design reviews, and supplier technical evaluations.
• Develop supplier evaluation criteria, conduct technical assessments, document findings, and support supplier selection when required.
• Support technical discussions with customers, program leadership, suppliers, and cross-functional engineering teams, providing clear technical recommendations and status updates.
• Contribute to technical planning, problem solving, and continuous improvement activities while working independently and managing priorities in a complex engineering environment.

Requirements

• Principal level: Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 5+ years of related engineering experience, or a Master’s degree with 3+ years, or a PhD with 1+ year of related experience.
• Senior Principal level: Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 8+ years of related professional or military engineering experience, or a Master’s degree in a STEM discipline with 6+ years of related experience.
• Experience with communications electronics, distributed communication architectures, radio systems, ICS, or related engineering technologies.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and data-analysis capabilities, with the ability to evaluate complex technical information and develop effective solutions.
• Ability to quickly assimilate new concepts, work independently, and operate effectively in a self-directed engineering environment.
• Strong understanding of systems engineering concepts, including requirements management, interface definition, integration, verification, validation, and technical risk management.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to interact effectively with customers, suppliers, engineering teams, management, and other stakeholders.
• Experience with supplier or subcontractor management is preferred.
• Experience developing supplier documentation, performance-based specifications, statements of work, and technical evaluation criteria is preferred.
• Experience reviewing supplier technical documentation and participating in technical interchange meetings and formal design reviews is preferred.
• An active U.S. Government Secret clearance is required, with a background investigation within the past six years or enrollment in Continuous Evaluation. Candidates must also be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance and any additional program access required for the position.
• U.S. citizenship is required due to government clearance and applicable program requirements.

Pay

• Principal level salary range: $94,400–$147,600 USD.
• Senior Principal level salary range: $122,800–$184,200 USD.
• Compensation is determined based on factors including experience, education, skills, scope of responsibilities, and market conditions.
• Potential eligibility for overtime, shift differentials, and discretionary annual bonuses depending on the position.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Savings and retirement plan.
• Company-paid holidays.
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and personal business.
• Relocation assistance may be available.

Schedule

• 9/80 work schedule, providing every other Friday off.
• Full-time, on-site work in Melbourne, Florida.
• Approximately 10% travel may be required.