Principal Engineer - System

KATIM; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 260,000 - 460,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Family visa

Annual flight tickets

Medical insurance for dependents

Education allowances

Job summary

EDGE is seeking Systems Engineers with 5+ years of experience to lead the specification, development, integration, and test of Tactical Datalink systems. You will work on NATO‑standard solutions and contribute to the full systems engineering lifecycle across multidisciplinary teams in highly regulated environments.

The role requires strong technical foundations, experience with C4I interfaces such as Link‑16 and security considerations, and collaboration with software, hardware, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in systems engineering or related discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of systems engineering experience in defence, aerospace, security, or mission-critical environments.
• Experience with defence development programmes or large-scale integrated systems.
• Understanding of systems engineering methodologies and lifecycle processes.
• Experience with requirements management and systems documentation tools.
• Familiarity with integration, test, and verification activities; ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Message Standards protocols team; design and develop large-scale C4I and TDL solutions.
• Design Message Standards protocols for C4I systems, including information exchange requirements and supporting UX.
• Design systems' interoperability capabilities across interfaces/standards (Link-16, MIP, VMF, FFT, ADATP‑3, etc.).
• Support the systems engineering lifecycle from concept through integration, verification, validation, and delivery.
• Support system architecture development for C2, tactical communications, or integrated mission systems; participate in design reviews and trade studies.
• Coordinate with software, hardware, network, cybersecurity, and test teams; maintain engineering docs; support risk and stakeholder engagements.

Skills

Systems engineering

C4I

Link-16

Requirements management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering

Tools

Enterprise Architect

Jama Connect

DOORS

JIRA

Job description

Job Description:

About Edge

At EDGE bold ideas are engineered into technologies that protect, improve and save lives.

Headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, EDGE is a leading advanced technology group working at the forefront of defence and emerging technologies. Spanning more than 35 specialised companies and multiple centres of excellence, we are purpose-built to move fast. Free from heavy legacy processes, we give our people the autonomy, accountability, and agility to bring breakthrough technologies from concept to reality.

Based in Abu Dhabi, a globally connected hub at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, EDGE is home to a truly multicultural community where bold ideas thrive, and the future is shaped.

Together, we are shaping the future.

About The Role

We are seeking Systems Engineers with a minimum of 5 years of experience supporting the specification, development, integration, and test of Tactical Datalink system solutions and/or products. The successful candidate will have worked on national, international, or coalition solutions, either bespoke country‑specific designs or NATO‑standard solutions (such as Link 16), and will contribute to the full systems engineering lifecycle across multidisciplinary teams to design, develop, integrate, verify, and support advanced defence capabilities. The role requires a strong technical foundation, structured engineering approach, and the ability to operate within highly regulated, mission‑critical environments.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Message Standards protocols team; design and develop large‑scale C4I and TDL solutions
• Design Message Standards protocols for C4I systems, including information exchange requirements and supporting UX
• Design systems' interoperability capabilities across interfaces/standards (Link‑16, MIP, VMF, FFT, ADATP‑3, etc.), including analysis of data transfer protocols and C4I application data requirements
• Support the systems engineering lifecycle from concept through integration, verification, validation, and delivery, including requirements analysis, traceability, and decomposition
• Support system architecture development for C2, tactical communications, or integrated mission systems; participate in design reviews, technical assessments, and trade studies
• Coordinate with software, hardware, network, cybersecurity, and test engineering teams; maintain engineering documentation (SS/SSS, IRS/ICDs, Integration Plans, test procedures/reports); support risk identification and customer/stakeholder engagements

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline
• Minimum 8 years of systems engineering experience within defence, aerospace, security, or mission‑critical environments
• Experience working on defence development programmes or large‑scale integrated systems
• Understanding of systems engineering methodologies and lifecycle processes
• Experience with requirements management and systems documentation tools
• Familiarity with integration, test, and verification activities; ability to work within multidisciplinary engineering teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Exposure to C2, tactical communications, secure networks, ISR, or mission systems
• Knowledge of defence communication systems, tactical data links, radio networks, and/or distributed C2 architectures
• Familiarity with INCOSE practices, MIL‑STD frameworks, and NATO interoperability standards; understanding of secure communications architectures and cybersecurity considerations
• Experience with Enterprise Architect, Jama Connect, DOORS, or JIRA
• Experience in model‑based systems engineering (MBSE)

Why Choose EDGE

Launched in November 2019, the UAE's EDGE is one of the world's leading advanced technology groups, established to develop agile, bold and disruptive solutions for defence and beyond, and to be a catalyst for change and transformation. It is dedicated to bringing breakthrough innovations, products, and services to market with greater speed and efficiency, to position the UAE as a leading global hub for future industries, and to creating clear paths within the sector for the next generation of highly skilled talent to thrive.

At EDGE, the real investment goes beyond compensation. Through our dedicated learning academy and digital learning platforms, employees have access to extensive opportunities to develop new skills, deepen their expertise, and advance their careers. Combined with the freedom to innovate, strong career support, and the opportunity to collaborate with world‑class talent from across the globe, EDGE is a place where you can continue to grow, keep learning, and turn ambitious ideas into meaningful outcomes.

Working at EDGE also comes with a package that genuinely reflects how much we value our people. Salaries are highly competitive and tax‑free and, depending on your role and seniority, benefits can include family visas, annual flight tickets, medical insurance for you and your dependents, and education allowances for your children.

CANDIDATE PRIVACY & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Any information you share as part of your EDGE candidate profile or job application will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection and privacy regulations.

EDGE is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and high‑performing workforce. We believe every individual deserves to be treated with fairness, respect and dignity, and our employment decisions reflect that. We do not discriminate based on race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

As a global organisation, effective collaboration across international teams is central to how we work, so English proficiency is required for all roles unless otherwise stated in the job posting.

Please note that EDGE does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies. Any resumes in the absence of a formally executed agreement in place will be deemed the property of EDGE, and no placement fees or compensation will be payable in respect of such submissions.