Principal Systems Engineering - SDS Systems (Onsite)

Date Posted:

2026-02-09

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-TX-RICHARDSON-C17 ~ 1717 Cityline Dr ~ CITYLINE C17

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Security Clearance Type:

DoD Clearance: Secret

Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required after day 1

Strategic Defense Solutions is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer (P4) to lead and support the design, development, and validation of multi-domain Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) mission systems for aircraft and ground stations supporting U.S. military customers. This role places strong emphasis on front-end program execution, including bids, proposals, and capture activities, while continuing to provide deep technical leadership across hardware and software systems—from standalone “black box” solutions to complex, end-to-end platform architectures.

The successful candidate will serve as a technical authority during pursuit phases, shaping system concepts, requirements, architectures, and technical baselines to enable competitive, executable proposals.

What YOU will do: 

• Lead systems engineering activities for bids, proposals, and capture efforts, including requirements analysis, solution architecture development, technical baselining, and risk assessment.

• Translate customer needs, CONOPS, and draft requirements into feasible, affordable, and executable system solutions during pursuit and execution phases.

• Capture, analyze, decompose, derive, and trace system and subsystem requirements across proposed and awarded programs.

• Develop and assess system architectures, models, and trade studies to support proposal discriminators and design decisions.

• Define verification strategies and test approaches at the system and subsystem levels.

• Support proposal development, including technical volumes, BOEs, compliance matrices, and technical review participation.

• Plan and execute project-level work to meet schedule, cost, and performance objectives, with awareness of Earned Value impacts.

• Identify, evaluate, and manage technical risks and opportunities, particularly during early program phases.

• Interface with cross-functional teams including Engineering, Program Management, Business Development, Finance, Quality, and Operations.

• Represent the Systems Engineering function in internal and external customer and stakeholder engagements.

Qualifications YOU must have:

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience

• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued Security Clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

• Demonstrated experience developing, decomposing, and deriving system and subsystem requirements.

• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) concepts and tools.

• Proven experience defining system and subsystem designs.

• Experience supporting or leading technical contributions to bids, proposals, and pursuits.

Qualifications We prefer:

• Experience with NC3-relevant communications technologies, including VLF, LF, HF, V/UHF, and/or MILSATCOM.

• SysML implementation using Cameo, MagicDraw, or Rhapsody.

• Experience with DOORS or similar requirements management tools.

• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies in a systems context.

• Working knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM).

• Experience communicating with external customers and government stakeholders.

• Participation in capture planning, proposal reviews, and competitive assessments.

• Experience with peer reviews, configuration management, and change control processes.

What We Offer:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance  

• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees  

• Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option  

• Tuition reimbursement program 

• Student