Flight Systems Engineer

JRC Careers; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

Exceptional employee benefits program

Opportunities for professional growth

Job summary

JRC Careers in the United States seeks a Flight Systems Engineer to deliver end-to-end integration of warhead and payload for a DoD missile MDAP. You will lead HWIL/SWIL verification, define ICDs and interface specs, and coordinate with government and industry partners across safety, performance, and schedule.

Expect 50% travel and a role that influences risk, cost, and technical trade-offs. Applicants should have a BS in Engineering and 7+ years defense systems experience, with TS/SCI

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, Systems, or related).
• Minimum 7 years of defense-related systems engineering on missile/aerospace MDAPs.
• Experience with payload integration, flight system to payload interface definitions, HWIL/SWIL verification.
• Experience in missile systems design, integration, and verification.
• Proficiency in ICDs, functional specs, and requirements traceability matrices.
• Active Top Secret clearance; SCI eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a critical technical contributor reporting to the LOC Missile System Integration Section Head on payload design, manufacturing and integration efforts.
• Support command efforts to ensure compliance with Nuclear Weapons System Surety and Safety requirements.
• Co-Lead and support the development, issuance and maintenance of the Flight System to Payload ICD and related specifications.
• Plan and execute flight system to payload integration activities with clear handoffs between work streams.
• Lead HWIL and SWIL verification; define test procedures and analyze results.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks/opportunities for the payload interface.
• Provide input to ERBs, TRMBs, and CCBs as payload interface SME.
• Contribute payload interface content to SEP, MAP, and TEMP.
• Assist in oversight of Integration and Test for LOC missile hardware, data collection, and post-test analysis.
• Prepare and present payload integration status for major reviews.

Skills

Payload integration

HWIL/SWIL verification

Systems engineering

Stakeholder communication

Clearance: TS/SCI eligibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Job description

Who We Are (video)

At JRC, we tackle some of the toughest challenges faced by the Department of Defense (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 defense missions, playing a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of the United States and its allies.

Join JRC's DIVISION 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 Defense Acquisition Program (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 analyze 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 programmatic LOC reviews.
• Advise and contribute on flight system cost/schedule/technical trade-offs, and its documentation.

What You Bring to the Table

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, Systems, or related discipline).
• Minimum 7years of defense 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 defense related systems engineering experience on missile or aerospace MDAPs.
• DAWIA Advanced Certification in Engineering or Program Management.
• Experience supporting sea-based nuclear-capable or strategic missile programs.
• Prior SSP, NNSA, or Navy experience with nuclear weapons programs.

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 programmatic reviews, integration events, and milestone readiness assessments.

At JRC we offer...

• A competitive compensation package
• An exceptional employee benefits program, providing support for our team members' well-being and success
• The chance to contribute to a high-profile Department of Defense programs 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