Principal Engineer, Systems

DRS Global; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Disability insurance

Bonus eligibility

Job summary

SES Space & Defense, part of SES S.A., is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer - SATCOM in the Reston, VA area to lead systems engineering, integration, verification, and readiness across GEO, MEO, LEO, and hybrid SATCOM services.

You will work with terminals, antennas, modems, RF components, IP networks, and mission applications to deliver end-to-end system performance. The role requires MBSE proficiency, Linux/Bash skills, and collaboration with customers and vendors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in systems engineering, SATCOM, RF or networked communications, or mission systems integration.
• Experience developing system requirements, managing requirements traceability, defining interfaces, planning verification activities, and executing integration and test for complex systems.
• Working knowledge of multi-orbit SATCOM architectures and integration of terminals, antennas, modems, RF equipment, IP networks, network management systems, and mission applications.
• Working knowledge of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) processes, artifacts, and requirements traceability throughout the systems engineering lifecycle.
• Working knowledge of RF and communications fundamentals, including the link-budget process and interpreting or supporting link-budget results.
• Hands-on experience with Linux and Bash, with basic Python scripting for engineering, testing, automation, configuration, or data analysis.
• Strong technical documentation, communication, collaboration, and cross-functional coordination skills.
• Ability to work in the Washington, DC metropolitan area and support periodic test activities.
• Active security clearance or eligibility to obtain and maintain one preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering activities from mission needs through integration, verification, deployment, and operational transition.
• Define and maintain system requirements, interfaces, and bidirectional traceability across architectures, verification methods, test procedures, and results.
• Develop and maintain lifecycle artifacts: CONOPS, technical specs, ICDs, traceability matrices, VCRMs, integration plans, technical risk assessments.
• Apply MBSE processes to clarify system behavior, interfaces, dependencies, and verification relationships.
• Lead technical integration across SATCOM terminals, antennas, modems, RF components, transport and IP networks, network management systems, and mission applications.
• Develop verification strategies, test plans, procedures, readiness reviews, and reports; plan and execute lab, field, over-the-air, interoperability, and operational tests.
• Interpret SATCOM performance assessments (availability, capacity, QoS, latency) and support link-budget results.
• Use Linux, Bash, and Python scripting to support configuration, testing, telemetry, data analysis, troubleshooting, and repeatable workflows.
• Coordinate with customers, vendors, program leadership, and engineering teams to resolve issues and ensure successful delivery.
• Mentor engineers and strengthen engineering rigor and delivery effectiveness.

Skills

SATCOM architectures

MBSE

Requirements tracing

Link-budget analysis

System verification

Mentoring

Customer coordination

Technical writing

Linux

Bash

Python scripting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering or related field

Tools

Linux

Bash

Python

Job description

Who We Are:

At SES Space & Defense, we deliver secure, resilient connectivity and integrated space solutions for customers operating in the world's most demanding environments. As part of SES S.A., a global leader in satellite-enabled communications, we combine capabilities across all orbits with extensive global ground infrastructure, managed networks, hosted payload solutions, and mission integration services to support communications, sensing, data transport, and operational resilience worldwide.

Our vertically integrated space and ground capabilities bring together satellite capacity, terrestrial infrastructure, advanced network technologies, and deployed user terminals to support mission-critical government operations around the world. We are a trusted partner to the U.S. Federal Government and national security community, allied governments, NATO, NASA, and other civilian agencies, delivering reliable, high-performance solutions when mission success is critical.

At SES Space & Defense, our people are our competitive advantage. You'll work alongside a mission-driven team committed to integrity, innovation, accountability, and delivering real-world impact for customers whose missions matter most.

What You'll Do:

As a Principal Systems Engineer - SATCOM at SES Space & Defense, you will lead systems engineering, integration, verification, and operational readiness activities supporting resilient, multi-orbit satellite communications capabilities. This hands-on technical integration role translates mission and customer needs into practical, traceable, and testable solutions across GEO, MEO, LEO, and hybrid SATCOM services. You will work across terminals, antennas, modems, RF components, IP networks, network management systems, and mission applications to ensure end-to-end system performance, interoperability, and operational readiness. Working closely with customers, vendors, program leadership, and multidisciplinary engineering teams, you will help deliver reliable communications capabilities that meet mission requirements and operational objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead systems engineering activities from mission needs and concept development through integration, verification, deployment, and operational transition.
• Define and maintain system requirements, interfaces, and bidirectional traceability across system architectures, verification methods, test procedures, and results.
• Develop and maintain systems engineering lifecycle artifacts, including Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), technical specifications, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), requirements traceability matrices, Verification Cross-Reference Matrices (VCRMs), integration plans, and technical risk assessments.
• Apply Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) processes, artifacts, and traceability practices to clarify system behavior, interfaces, dependencies, and verification relationships.
• Lead technical integration across SATCOM terminals, antennas, modems, RF components, transport and IP networks, network management systems, and mission applications.
• Develop verification strategies, test plans, procedures, readiness reviews, and reports, and plan and execute laboratory, field, over-the-air, interoperability, and operational test events.
• Interpret and support SATCOM performance assessments, including availability, capacity, Quality of Service (QoS), latency, and operational constraints, while supporting the link-budget process and interpretation of results.
• Use Linux, Bash, and basic Python scripting to support system configuration, test automation, telemetry and log collection, data analysis, troubleshooting, and repeatable engineering workflows.
• Coordinate with customers, vendors, program leadership, and engineering teams to resolve technical issues, manage integration dependencies, and support successful system delivery.
• Mentor engineers, share technical knowledge, and strengthen engineering rigor, integration practices, and overall delivery effectiveness.

Who You Are:

You are an experienced Systems Engineer with a strong understanding of satellite communications architectures and the technical disciplines required to integrate complex, networked communications systems. You take a systems-level approach to engineering, translating mission needs into practical requirements, architectures, interfaces, and verification strategies while maintaining a clear understanding of how individual components work together to deliver an operational capability.

You are comfortable working hands-on across SATCOM hardware, software, RF components, IP networks, and management systems, combining structured engineering practices with practical integration, troubleshooting, and testing experience. You approach complex technical challenges with sound judgment, attention to detail, and an understanding of system performance, operational constraints, and technical risk. You communicate effectively with customers, vendors, and multidisciplinary engineering teams, and enjoy mentoring other engineers while helping deliver reliable, mission-ready solutions.

Key Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering or technical discipline.
• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in systems engineering, SATCOM, RF or networked communications, or mission systems integration.
• Experience developing system requirements, managing requirements traceability, defining interfaces, planning verification activities, and executing integration and test for complex systems.
• Working knowledge of multi-orbit SATCOM architectures and the practical integration of terminals, antennas, modems, RF equipment, IP networks, network management systems, and mission applications.
• Working knowledge of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) processes, artifacts, and requirements traceability throughout the systems engineering lifecycle.
• Working knowledge of RF and communications fundamentals, including the link-budget process and the ability to interpret or support link-budget results.
• Hands-on experience with Linux and Bash, along with basic Python or comparable scripting capabilities for engineering, testing, automation, configuration, or data analysis.
• Strong technical documentation, communication, collaboration, and cross-functional coordination skills.
• Ability to work in the Washington, DC metropolitan area and support periodic test activities.
• Current or recent experience with SES mPOWER services, terminals, integration, operations, or closely related technologies strongly preferred.
• Experience integrating or operating GEO, MEO, LEO, or hybrid SATCOM networks preferred.
• Familiarity with SysML-based approaches or tools, SATCOM terminal and antenna integration, modem and RF equipment, network management, and over-the-air interoperability testing preferred.
• Experience with APIs, telemetry, monitoring, configuration management, or automation in communications or mission systems environments preferred.
• Familiarity with capacity planning, network performance assessment, SATCOM service provisioning, or link-budget results preferred.
• Experience supporting DoD, government, aerospace, telecommunications, or other mission-critical communications programs preferred.
• Active security clearance or eligibility to obtain and maintain one preferred.

SES Space & Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law

The final base salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the position's location, the candidate's relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.

Where applicable, this position may also be eligible for an annual bonus. Employees are eligible to participate in SES Space & Defense's benefits programs, which include paid vacation, sick and personal leave; medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; a 401(k)-retirement plan; and others.

• paid vacation, sick and personal leave
• medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• a 401(k)-retirement plan
• others.