Principal Engineer, Missile Defense Payloads

Banner-Defense,-Inc.-; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Banner Defense in Huntsville, AL seeks a Principal Engineer to provide engineering oversight for payloads and countermeasures within missile defense programs. You will advise the program office and collaborate across teams to ensure timely, accurate delivery through major milestones.

The role requires a Master’s degree in STEM with 12+ years in defense programs and an active DoD Secret clearance. Travel up to 20% and strong leadership are essential.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a STEM field with 12+ years supporting missile defense or large DoD programs.
• Active DoD Secret clearance, U.S. Citizenship required.
• Experience managing end-to-end program lifecycles for complex systems.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.
• Ability to handle multiple urgent tasks concurrently.
• Travel up to 20% of time.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical expert on payload and countermeasure requirements development, analysis, design, qualification, and fielding.
• Review prime contractor designs, plans, reports, and technical procedures.
• Evaluate target instrumentation requirements, layouts, components, and test methodologies.
• Provide technical evaluation and engineering support during major milestones (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FRB, MRB, PAR).
• Lead TIMs and respond to technical inquiries from external MDA organizations.
• Provide assessments to cost analysts to support budgets.

Skills

Missile defense experience

Program lifecycle management

Technical leadership

Systems engineering

DoD/defense programs

Security clearance

Cross‑functional collaboration

Adaptability

Travel readiness

Education

Master’s degree in STEM

Job description

Banner Defense in Huntsville, AL seeks a Principal Engineer to provide engineering oversight for payloads and countermeasures within missile defense programs. You will advise the program office and collaborate across teams to ensure timely, accurate delivery through major milestones.

The role requires a Master’s degree in STEM with 12+ years in defense programs and an active DoD Secret clearance. Travel up to 20% and strong leadership are essential.