Senior Systems Engineer (Engineer Systems 3) - 29321

About the role

Shape the Future of High-Altitude ISR on the Legendary U-2 "Dragon Lady"

This part-time role puts you at the center of a mission-critical modernization effort, solving technical challenges that sit at the intersection of cutting-edge sensor technology, advanced avionics, and the extreme environment of high-altitude flight.

Responsibilities

• Lead the systems engineering for the radar integration project, including requirements definition, design, verification, testing, and deployment.
• Understand system architectures that account for hardware, software, and network interfaces, ensuring compliance with a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA).
• Decompose top-level mission objectives into detailed system and subsystem requirements for the radar, processors, and crew-machine interfaces. Support verification of requirements and perform risk analysis for approval of requirements variances.
• Define and manage the critical data interfaces between the radar system and the U-2's avionics, including MIL-STD-1553, Ethernet, and other communication protocols.
• Oversee the physical and electrical integration of the radar sensor, addressing challenges related to power, cooling, and structural mounting on the unique U-2 airframe.
• Develop and execute comprehensive system integration, verification, and validation test plans and procedures. This will occur in both systems integration labs (SIL) and during flight test campaigns.
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact, working closely with multidisciplinary teams including airframe, flight controls, avionics, electrical, and cybersecurity engineers, as well as test pilots, test engineers and external suppliers.
• Proactively identify, analyze, and mitigate technical risks associated with the integration effort. Conduct trade studies to inform design decisions and ensure optimal system performance.
• Familiarity with airworthiness certification processes and standards (MIL-HDBK-516C).
• Ensure the integrated system adheres to all Department of Defense (DoD) cybersecurity mandates, including the Risk Management Framework (RMF) for certification and accreditation.

Qualifications

• 5 years relevant experience with Bachelors in related field; 3 years relevant experience with Masters in related field; 0 years experience with PhD or Juris Doctorate in related field; or High School Diploma or equivalent and 9 years relevant experience.
• 3-7 years of experience in systems engineering and integration, preferably within the aerospace and defense industry.
• Prominent experience with the integration of avionics, sensors, or other complex mission systems onto military aircraft.
• Strong understanding of aircraft electrical systems, avionics bus architectures (e.g., MIL-STD-1553), and communication protocols.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and managing engineering requirements and executing V&V plans.
• Possess an active Secret security clearance at a minimum, with the ability to obtain a Top Secret/SCI clearance.

Skills

• Direct experience with the U-2 platform or other high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) aircraft.
• In-depth knowledge of radar systems, RF theory, digital signal processing, or other airborne sensor technologies.
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools (e.g., Cameo, Sparx EA) and simulation environments (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink).
• Experience working in an Agile development environment.
• A Master's degree in a relevant engineering field.

Benefits

Competitive benefits such as best-in-class medical, dental and vision plan choices; wellness resources; employee assistance programs; Savings Plan Options (401(k)); financial planning tools, life insurance; employee discounts; paid holidays and paid time off; tuition reimbursement; as well as early childhood and post-secondary education scholarships.

Pay

Anticipated Salary Range: $41.50 - $62.25

Schedule

Hybrid, 20–30 hours/week with on-site presence several days per week