Systems Integration Engineer

Keystone Distinction Group; Germantown (MD); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Training in Israel

Travel opportunities

Job summary

Keystone Distinction Group in Germantown, MD is hiring an Applications Engineer – Systems Integration Engineer. This role involves integration, testing, and troubleshooting of EO/IR payloads within various customer platforms, serving as the technical liaison between engineering teams and customers. Candidates should have strong systems engineering experience, analytical skills, and the ability to handle complex technical issues in fast-paced environments. The position offers a salary of $100,000 - $120,000 plus an annual bonus, and includes on-site work with 40% travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering required.
• 3+ years of experience in systems engineering or related roles.
• Able to travel 40% annually, including initial training.

Responsibilities

• Lead integration of EO/IR payloads into customer platforms.
• Perform system-level troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
• Support physical inspections and system validation at customer sites.

Skills

System-level integration

Troubleshooting skills

Root cause analysis

Interpersonal communication

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

Electrical wiring and connectors

Software debugging tools

Job description

Title: Applications Engineer – Systems Integration Engineer

Location: Germantown, MD (On-site with 40% travel)

Salary: $100,000 - $120,000 + Annual Bonus

Overview

Seeking a customer‑facing Applications/Integration Engineer to own the integration, testing, and troubleshooting of EO/IR payloads within customer platforms. This role serves as the technical bridge between the engineering teams, U.S.-based customers, and prime contractors.

Will be responsible for end‑to‑end system integration, working across hardware, software, and mechanical interfaces, and will act as the primary technical point of contact during integrations, deployments, and field support.

This is a hands‑on, high‑visibility role requiring strong systems thinking, comfort with ambiguity, and the ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues in real‑world customer environments.

Core Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Systems, Electrical, Mechanical, Computer Engineering, or related field)
• 3+ years of experience in systems engineering, integration, test engineering, or field engineering roles
• Hands‑on experience with system‑level integration and troubleshooting
• Ability to operate without detailed manuals in dynamic environments
• Strong root cause analysis and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to travel 40% annually based upon needs, with 2-3 weeks of initial training internationally
• Experience working with integrated hardware systems (components, subsystems, payloads, or platforms)
• Electrical wiring, connectors, and harnesses
• Power distribution and signal flow
• Mechanical interfaces and physical integration
• Comfort performing assembly/disassembly and field diagnostics
• Experience supporting software‑enabled systems or SDK‑based integrations
• Understanding of communication protocols, data/message flow, and system interfaces
• Experience in troubleshooting software issues related to upgrades or configuration
• Experience executing or supporting test procedures and system validation
• Ability to interpret test data and communicate results clearly

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with EO/IR, ISR, radar, sensor, UAV, or defense systems
• Experience working with government, defense, or security customers
• Prior customer‑facing technical role (Field Engineer, Systems Integrator, Solutions Engineer)
• Experience supporting international engineering teams
• Familiarity with UAV, maritime, vehicle, or other surveillance platforms

Key Responsibilities

System & Payload Integration

• Lead integration of EO/IR payloads into customer platforms
• Understand and validate payload‑to‑platform interfaces, including power, data, mechanical, and communication protocols
• Support both prime and sub‑contractor integration scenarios
• Translating customer system requirements into actionable technical execution

Troubleshooting & Root Cause Analysis

• Perform system‑level troubleshooting to identify whether issues originate at the component, subsystem, or interface level
• Analyze test outputs, logs, and data to determine root cause and corrective actions
• Decide whether issues require:
  • Component replacement
  • Subsystem removal
  • Escalation to engineering teams
• Support rapid issue resolution during factory testing, integration testing, and field deployments

Hardware & Hands‑On Technical Work

• Perform assembly, disassembly, and maintenance of payloads and integrated systems
• Trace electrical wiring, connectors, and harnesses to isolate faults
• Validate proper power delivery, signal flow, and mechanical connections
• Support physical inspections and system validation at customer sites

Software & SDK Integration Support

• Support software and SDK‑based integrations between payloads and customer systems
• Troubleshoot communication issues, data/message flow, and integration mismatches
• Work with software engineers to resolve bugs related to upgrades, versioning, or configuration
• Interpret logs and error messages to support integration debugging

Testing & Validation

• Execute and support defined test procedures for payloads and integrated systems
• Support software and SDK‑based integrations between payloads and customer systems
• Troubleshoot communication issues, data/message flow, and integration mismatches
• Work with software engineers to resolve bugs related to upgrades, versioning, or configuration
• Interpret logs and error messages to support integration debugging

Customer & Internal Collaboration

• Serve as the primary technical interface with customers during integrations
• Clearly explain technical issues, risks, and resolutions to non‑specialist stakeholders
• Coordinate closely with engineering teams in Israel and U.S. program stakeholders
• Support training, documentation, and knowledge transfer activities

Personal Attributes for Success

• Self‑starter with strong initiative and an ownership mindset
• Comfortable wearing multiple hats in a fast‑moving environment
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to build trust with customers and internal stakeholders
• Adaptable, curious, and motivated to deeply understand complex systems

Training & Travel

• Initial onboarding and technical training in Israel (2–3 weeks)
• Ongoing collaboration with international engineering teams
• Periodic international and domestic travel for customer support and training (40% annual average)