Lead Systems Engineer

North Wind; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

North Wind in Minnesota is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer to oversee design, development, and optimization of hypersonic test facilities. You will act as the technical leader, coordinating with Chief Engineers and cross-disciplinary teams to implement MBSE-driven execution across requirements, interfaces, risk, configuration, and verification.

The role emphasizes leadership, strong communication, and hands-on experience with test facilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years in complex technical systems with systems engineering experience.
• Experience leading system development and MBSE architectural decisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication across stakeholders.
• Experience with government contracts and risk management.
• Hands-on experience with hypersonic test facilities or related lab environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead MBSE-based system engineering for hypersonic test facilities.
• Coordinate with Chief Engineers, project management, subcontractors, and customers.
• Develop and manage requirements, interfaces, risk, and configuration management.
• Oversee verification, validation, and technical documentation.
• Mentor engineers and drive continuous improvement in design and processes.

Skills

Technical leadership

MBSE

Systems engineering

Risk management

Communication

SysML/Cameo

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Systems Engineering

Tools

JAMA/DOORS

Cameo System Modeler

SysML

Job description

Join North Wind – Accelerating Hypersonic Innovation
At North Wind, we are advancing hypersonic technologies through cutting-edge research, system development, and flight testing. Our team drives innovation in high-speed aerodynamics, propulsion systems, and mission-critical components, supporting every phase of hypersonic programs—from R&D to flight testing. If you are passionate about pushing technological boundaries in a dynamic environment, we invite you to join us.
Position Overview
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Lead Systems Engineer to join our team, focusing on the design, development, and optimization of hypersonic test facilities. The role serves as a technical leader who works closely with the Chief Engineers and is a key interface between the engineering team, project manager, subcontractors, and customer. This role requires a team leader capable of developing the vision for systems engineering execution in support of the Chief Engineer's technical execution of the program. The Lead Systems Engineer will coordinate with other technical leaders and establish priorities for engineering activities and a framework for the team’s execution in areas including requirement generation and management, interface development and management, risk management and technical margin assessments, system configuration management, and verification and validation efforts. This role will include complex and multi-disciplinary problem solving. This position involves fostering the integration of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies to enhance the performance, reliability, and safety of advanced hypersonic test systems. The ideal candidate will have strong technical leadership experience with domain expertise, with a keen interest in hypersonic technologies.
Responsibilities

• Hypersonic Test Facility Design and Integration:
• Facilitates design, development, and optimization activities for test facilities for wind tunnel systems.
• Integrate advanced hypersonic testing methodologies, equipment, and systems into facility design and operation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (aerospace, mechanical, electrical, controls and software engineers) to ensure test facilities meet all functional and operational requirements.
• Synthesize technical risks throughout the lifecycle of the project and present how these represent project or financial risks to the project manager, management, and the end user.
• System Management:
• Apply MBSE methodologies to define, model, and simulate system architectures for hypersonic test facilities.
• Develop and manage integration of test facility systems including structural, mechanical, thermal, and electrical components, to enhance decision-making and performance validation.
• Manage system configuration through clear methods to manage change through the course of a program.
• Utilize MBSE tools (such as SysML, or Cameo Systems Modeler) to ensure seamless integration between the various subsystems of the test facility.
• Documentation and Reporting:
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports, validation plans, and design documentation, ensuring that all activities comply with relevant standards and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and manage programmatic plans such as the System Engineering Management Plan, Interface Control Plan, Configuration Management Plan, Risk Management Plan and System Verification Plan.
• Maintain clear documentation of MBSE models, simulations, and test results for project reviews and audits.
• Continuous Improvement:
• Proactively identify and implement process improvements to enhance the performance and efficiency of the test facility design and operation.
• Stay updated with the latest trends and advancements in hypersonic technologies, MBSE, and Digital Engineering tools.

Qualifications / Requirements

• Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
• Experience:
• 8+ years of experience in complex technical systems with direct experience in systems engineering for a subset of those years
• Skills and Competencies:
• Experienced Leader in areas of technical communication critical systems thinking, and problem-solving
• Experience leading system development and design efforts
• Experience with the development of system architecture and directing MBSE architectural decisions.
• Ability to perform complex systems analysis and provide clear, actionable recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Experience with system configuration management including facilitating the change process across multiple design disciplines from a configuration baseline.
• Familiarity with requirements management and tools (IE JAMA, DOORS, Cameo)
• Experience with risk and opportunity management
• Strong disposition to train, mentor, and support fellow engineers.
• Preferred:
• Core competency experience in addition to Systems Engineering (Mechanical Design, Aerodynamics, Testing, Analysis, etc.)
• Hands-on experience with test facilities, such as wind tunnels, shock tubes, or combustion testing.
• Experience with system performance and technical margin assessments
• Familiarity with analytical tools utilized in complex problem solving such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD), finite element analysis, thermal analysis and management, and performance simulations Familiarity with control systems, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems used in test environments.
• Experience with agile development processes and collaborative tools (e.g., JIRA, Confluence).
• Experience with Systems Engineering on government contracts.
• Experience with risk assessments and hazard analysis
• Proficiency with MBSE tools (e.g., Cameo System Modeler, Enterprise Architect or similar tools).

North Wind is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. North Wind supports safe and drug free workplace through pre-employment background checks and drug testing.
The salary range provided is a general guideline. Actual pay will depend on several factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and other applicable qualifications. North Wind is committed to pay transparency in compliance with applicable state and local laws.
All candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.