Jobs and Careers

Principal Systems Engineer

United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 2 Jul 2026

About the role

The ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance), Aviation, and Security (IAS) business area is a leader in ISR and aviation, it is a leading prime manned and unmanned aircraft systems integrator for innovative, high-performance ISR and aviation systems. Its end-to-end Command, Control, Computers, Communications and Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities encompass design, integration, test, certification, ground/flight training and complete logistics support. IAS tailors solutions to customer cost, performance, and schedule requirements and designs to consistently exceed expectations – with an unrivaled record of on time and on (or under) budget deliveries.

SNC has led thoughtful and disruptive change in the aerospace and defense industry for the past 60 years and now, we’re applying this tenacity and expertise to the U.S. Air Force’s (USAF) Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) mission. Join the SNC-led SAOC team and be a part of exciting and meaningful work to modernize and deliver the next-generation SAOC aircraft trusted by the President, Secretary of Defense and Chairs of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to ensure continued critical command, control and communication during national emergencies. If you’re passionate about building the airborne command post of the future, consider SNC for your next mission. Learn more about NC3 and SAOC here.

Are you a bold thinker? We dream big at SNC—advocating the exploration of space, keeping service members safe and creating the systems that keep our world united and sustain our way of living. Join our team! As a Principal Systems Engineer, you will demonstrate mastery in requirements engineering, systems integration, Verification & Validation (V&V), and Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE). You will guide strategic system and decision analysis, technical planning, and risk management initiatives. You will manage critical project components, applying extensive expertise in architecture/design development, technical monitoring, and lifecycle management. Your role requires exceptional leadership, communication, and collaboration skills to drive innovation, mentor senior engineers, and achieve strategic objectives.

Responsibilities:

Demonstrate mastery in requirements engineering, systems integration, V&V, and MBSE.
Guide strategic system and decision analysis, technical planning, and risk management initiatives.
Manage critical project components and influence project direction.
Apply extensive expertise in architecture/design development, technical monitoring, and lifecycle management.
Exhibit exceptional leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.
Mentor senior engineers and drive innovation.

Qualifications You Must Have:

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field; Master's degree preferred.
14+ years of experience in systems engineering or related field.
Higher level relevant degree may substitute for experience.
Expert proficiency with Systems modeling and simulation tools.
Extensive leadership experience in systems engineering.
Demonstrated knowledge of multiple Engineering principles and practices.
Progressive experience working in multi-disciplinary design and development teams.
Advanced understanding of requirements management, functional requirements parsing, derivation, and allocation; systems design, systems integration, technical risk identification and management strategies, and V&V principles.
Experience applying systems engineering principles to software-based solutions.
Demonstrated capability in software architecture and systems integration.
An active Secret with the eligibility to obtain a Top Secret / Top Secret with SCI eligibility U.S. Security Clearance is required.

Qualifications We Prefer:

Expertise in advanced systems technologies (e.g., AI, machine learning, cloud computing).
Familiar with real-time operating systems and embedded systems.
Experience with requirements management and system modelling tools, such as DOORS, Cameo, MATLAB.
Advanced Knowledge of industry-standard mechanical design principles, to include, but not limited to requirements management, MBSE.
Experience or certification in International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) standards [Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP)].
Background in the Aerospace