Principal Electrical Systems Engineer

TalentRemedy; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

TalentRemedy seeks a Principal Electrical Systems Engineer in Herndon, VA to lead electrical architecture for electro-optical, laser, and sensing systems across spaceflight and defense programs. The role involves guiding programs from concept through integration, test, and deployment in collaboration with optical, mechanical, software, and systems teams.

Ideal candidates have 15+ years in aerospace electrical systems, a strong lead track record, and hands-on lab experience with high-reliability

Qualifications

• BSEE required; MSEE preferred.
• 15+ years of experience developing complex aerospace, defense, or spaceflight electrical systems.
• Demonstrated experience serving as the technical lead, principal engineer, or system architect for complex electrical systems.
• Direct experience developing, integrating, testing, or qualifying electronics for spaceflight applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead the electrical architecture, design, and technical execution of electro-optical, laser, and sensing systems for spaceflight/defense.
• Define system-level electrical requirements, interfaces, performance budgets, and verification strategies.
• Provide technical leadership for high-reliability electronics including power systems and data acquisition.
• Lead electrical subsystem integration activities and ensure interface compatibility across teams.
• Lead system integration, verification, validation, troubleshooting, and qualification activities.
• Support customer interactions, technical proposals, design reviews, and program execution.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers and promote engineering best practices.
• Participate in laboratory/environmental testing and field demonstrations as required.
• Support multiple concurrent R&D and production programs for NASA, DoD, and commercial space.

Skills

Technical leadership

Power electronics

System-level design

Lab hands-on

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

BSEE

MSEE

PhD in Electrical Engineering

Job description

We are seeking a Principal Electrical Systems Engineer to join our Herndon, VA team and lead the development of advanced electro-optical and laser-based systems supporting NASA, DoD, and commercial space missions.

In this role, you will serve as the technical lead for the electrical architecture of complex aerospace systems, guiding programs from concept development through integration, test, qualification, and mission deployment. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams of optical, mechanical, software, and systems engineers to develop next-generation laser, sensing, and remote sensing technologies for demanding spaceflight applications.

This position is ideal for an experienced engineer who enjoys solving challenging technical problems, defining system architectures, mentoring engineers, and helping transition advanced research into operational aerospace systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the electrical architecture, design, and technical execution of complex electro-optical, laser, and sensing systems for spaceflight and defense applications.
• Define system-level electrical requirements, interfaces, performance budgets, and verification strategies.
• Provide technical leadership for the development of high-reliability electronics, including power systems, control electronics, data acquisition systems, signal conditioning, and system interconnects.
• Lead electrical subsystem integration activities and ensure successful interface compatibility across multidisciplinary systems.
• Lead system integration, verification, validation, troubleshooting, and qualification activities.
• Support customer interactions, technical proposals, design reviews, and program execution.
• Mentor and develop junior and mid-level engineers while helping establish engineering best practices.
• Participate in laboratory testing, environmental testing, and field demonstrations as required.
• Support multiple concurrent R&D and production programs spanning NASA, DoD, and commercial space customers.

Required Qualifications

• BSEE required; MSEE preferred.
• 15+ years of experience developing complex aerospace, defense, or spaceflight electrical systems.
• Demonstrated experience serving as the technical lead, principal engineer, or system architect for complex electrical systems.
• Direct experience developing, integrating, testing, or qualifying electronics for spaceflight applications, including satellites, spacecraft, launch vehicles, scientific instruments, human-rated systems, or other high-reliability aerospace platforms.
• Strong background in system-level electrical architecture, integration, verification, troubleshooting, and qualification.
• Experience with power distribution, control electronics, instrumentation, mixed-signal systems, and electrical interfaces.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary engineering teams and leading technical decision-making.
• Ability to work hands-on in laboratory environments and support system integration and test activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• MSEE or PhD in Electrical Engineering.
• Experience supporting NASA, DoD, NRO, SDA, Space Force, or commercial space programs.
• Experience with radiation-tolerant, radiation-hardened, or other high-reliability electronics technologies.
• Familiarity with spaceflight design standards, mission assurance processes, and environmental qualification testing.
• Experience with electro-optical systems, laser systems, remote sensing, or LIDAR technologies.
• Experience leading technical teams and mentoring engineers.
• Active security clearance or ability to obtain one.