Flight Systems Engineer

JRC Integrated Systems; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

Benefits programme

Travel ~50%

Job summary

JRC Integrated Systems in Washington, DC, seeks a Flight Systems Engineer to lead payload integration for a major DoD missile program. You will drive end‑to‑end flight system to payload interfaces, verify with HWIL/SWIL, and prepare ICDs and specs for senior review boards.

The role requires a Bachelor’s in engineering and 7+ years of defence experience with MDAPs, strong communication skills, and an active TS clearance or SCI eligibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field with strong systems focus.
• Experience in payload integration and interface definition for missile/aerospace systems.
• Experience with ICDs, functional specs and requirements traceability.

Responsibilities

• Report to Section Head on payload design, manufacturing and integration.
• Support safety, surety, and mission requirements compliance.
• Co‑lead ICD development and functional specifications.
• Plan and execute flight system to payload integration activities.
• Lead HWIL/SWIL verification and define test criteria.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks for payload interfaces.
• Provide input to engineering boards as payload SME.
• Contribute payload interface content to SEP, TEMP and related plans.
• Oversee integration and test activities for LOC missile.
• Present payload integration status for major reviews.
• Advise on flight system cost/schedule/technical trade‑offs.

Skills

Payload integration

HWIL/SWIL verification

Missile systems design

Systems engineering

ICD authoring

Stakeholder communication

Security clearance (Top Secret)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, Systems)

Job description

Who We Are (video)

At JRC, we tackle some of the toughest challenges faced by the Department of Defence (DoD) and other government agencies. Our expertise in engineering innovation and semiconductor technologies allows us to deliver mission-critical microelectronics solutions, aerospace systems engineering, and cutting‑edge research and development. By joining JRC, you’ll be part of a team that supports strategic deterrence and defence missions, playing a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of the United States and its allies.

Join JRC's Missiles and Space Team!

The Flight Systems Engineer (FSE) serves as the critical technical contributor to the LOC Missile System Integration section for a Department of War (DoW) Category 1D Major Defence Acquisition Programme (MDAP) missile system. This position is responsible for the end‑to‑end integration of warhead and payload – ensuring the flight systems architecture meets mission, safety, surety, performance requirement.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as critical technical contributor reporting to the LOC Missile System Integration Section Head on all payload segment design, manufacturing, and integration efforts.
• Support command efforts to ensure compliance with Nuclear Weapons System Surety and Safety requirements.
• Co‑Lead and support where appropriate the development, issuance, and maintenance of the Flight System to Payload Interface Control Document (ICD) and related functional specifications.
• Plan and execute flight system to payload integration activities, ensuring clear hand offs between payload and shipboard integration work streams.
• Lead hardware in the loop (HWIL) and software in the loop (SWIL) verification of the payload interface; define test procedures, success criteria and analyse results.
• Identify, assess and mitigate/enable technical risks/opportunities specific to the payload interface; track mitigation/enabling actions.
• Provide technical input to Engineering Review Boards (ERB), Technical Risk and Opportunities Management Boards (TRMB), and Configuration Control Boards (CCB) as the payload interface subject matter expert.
• Contribute payload interface content to the Systems Engineering Plan (SEP), Mission Assurance Plan and Test & Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP).
• Assist in the oversight of Integration and Test efforts for the LOC missile inclusive of hardware, instrumentation, data‑collection, post‑test analysis and ship‑integration.
• Prepare and present payload integration status for major technical and programmematic LOC reviews.
• Advise and contribute on flight system cost/schedule/technical trade‑offsold its documentation.

What You Bring to the Table

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, Systems or related discipline).
• Minimum 7years of defence related systems engineering experience on missile or aerospace MDAPs.
• Demonstrated experience in payload integration, flight system to payload interface definition and hardware/software verification (HWIL/SWIL).
• Demonstrated experience in missile systems design, integration and verification.
• Proficiency in authoring and managing ICDs, functional specifications and requirements traceability matrices.
• Strong communication skills and ability to interface with OSD, Service PAEs and FFRDC stakeholders.
• Active Top Secret clearance (SCI eligibility required).

Bonus Points

• 10years of defence related systems engineering experience on missile or aerospace MDAPs.
• DAWIA Advanced Certification in Engineering or Programme Management.
• Experience supporting sea‑based nuclear‑capable or strategic missile programmes.
• Prior SSP, NNSA or Navy experience with nuclear weapons programmes.

Additional Information

This position requires regular interaction with senior DoW, FFRDC and industry leadership. Travel (~50%) to test ranges, contractor facilities, weapons facilities and government labs is required to support technical and programmematic reviews, integration events and milestone readiness assessments.

At JRC we offer…

• A competitive compensation package
• An exceptional employee benefits programme, providing support for our team members’ well‑being and success
• The chance to contribute to a high‑profile Department of Defence programmes and make a positive impact
• A collaborative work environment where teamwork, creativity and innovation thrive
• Opportunities for professional growth and development, helping you advance your career