Senior Systems Engineer
Sacramento County, California
A leading innovator in advanced technology solutions for the defense and space industries is seeking a highly skilled Senior Systems Engineer to play a crucial role in the development of cutting-edge airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems. This is a chance to join a collaborative team of industry pioneers and make a significant impact on mission-critical technologies.
About the Role:
As a Senior Systems Engineer, you will lead the architecture, design, development, and integration of ISR software systems. You will serve as a technical lead on projects, applying your deep understanding of system engineering processes and technical domain expertise. This involves planning and executing projects, providing technical leadership to engineering teams, and interacting directly with both internal stakeholders and external customers.
Responsibilities:
- Lead ISR systems requirements development, architecture, design, integration, and testing.
- Conduct technical trade studies related to ISR systems.
- Develop risk management and mitigation plans.
- Contribute to proposal generation (technical, cost, schedule).
- Apply systems engineering principles (requirements development, flow-down, verification, validation).
- Provide technical leadership to systems engineering and software engineering teams.
- Guide technical decisions in:
- Digital Signal Processing and Software Architecture
- Systems (SW and HW) Requirements and Design
- Detailed Hardware and Software Design and Implementation
- Systems Integration and Test
- Demonstrate expertise in Signal Processing Architectures and Systems for ISR.
- Collaborate with program management and engineering leadership to address challenges.
Qualifications:
- 10+ years of experience, including 7+ years in signal collection and processing systems.
- Active DoD Top Secret Security Clearance (SCI preferred).
- Bachelor's degree in computer science or engineering (or equivalent experience). Master's or PhD preferred.
- Strong understanding of the systems engineering requirements process (Vee model).
- Experience with software-defined radios in ISR systems.
- Experience with wireless communication systems and protocols (AM, FM, BPSK, QPSK, QAM).
- Understanding of electromagnetic fundamentals (antennas, receiving systems).
- Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative small team environment.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated experience leading technical teams.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with airborne ISR direction finding systems.
- Experience with machine learning in embedded environments.
- Experience leading R&D efforts with publications/demonstrations (fielded capabilities strongly preferred).
Additional Information:
- Ability to travel approximately 20%.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship required).
