Principal Engineer (Systems Engineer)

General Dynamics OTS; Colchester (VT); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (OTS) seeks a Principal Systems Engineer to support U.S. production transition, APS technologies, and launch/countermeasure integration. Under Engineering Fellow oversight, you’ll convert foreign data, lead system integration, resolve interface issues, and enable upgrades.

Hybrid on-site in Colchester with travel. Requires 8–10 years in engineering, DoD security clearance or eligibility, and strong systems engineering expertise across disciplines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level or higher engineering degree required with strong systems-thinking abilities.
• Strong knowledge of formal systems engineering methods and requirements management.
• Experience integrating complex aerospace/defense systems and coordinating across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Apply engineering techniques to design, analyze, test, maintain, repair, or improve products and systems.
• Lead cross-functional integration and test activities with mechanical, electrical, software, and controls teams.
• Engage with customers and suppliers, manage interfaces and project risks.

Skills

Systems engineering

Requirements management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Associate's degree in Engineering

Master's degree in Engineering or Systems Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Company Overview

General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (OTS) is a global leader in the design, engineering and production of munitions, energetics, weapons, armaments, and missile subsystems around the world. OTS empowers the U.S. military and its allies with an extensive range of overarching product segments applied across all levels of strategic and tactical operations, providing a cutting-edge advantage to our warfighters. Our Ethos of Honesty, Trust, Transparency, and Alignment, are the guiding principles that form the foundation of everything we do. Integrity is paramount, innovation fuels our passion, customer satisfaction is at the core of our mission, and collaboration is key to our success - fostering a culture of teamwork and mutual respect among employees, partners, and stakeholders. Whether you're just starting out on your career journey or are an experienced professional, we offer a robust total rewards package that goes above and beyond with compensation; healthcare, wellness, retirement, and work/life benefits that include career development and recognition programs. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we invite you to join our high-performance team!

Job Summary

We are seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to support U.S. production transition, platform integration, and development of Active Protection System (APS) technologies. This role focuses on APS launcher and countermeasure integration onto current and future U.S. military platforms. Under technical oversight of an Engineering Fellow, responsibilities include converting foreign-partner technical data into a domestic baseline, leading system integration, resolving interface issues, supporting qualification, and enabling future upgrades. Candidates must collaborate across disciplines and engage with hardware during tests. A hybrid work schedule is available with on-site presence in Colchester. Regular domestic and periodic international travel to suppliers and military facilities is required.

Impact of the Role

General Profile

• Requires specialized depth and/or breadth of expertise in own job discipline or field
• Uses advanced techniques, theories, and processes to complete work
• Leads others to solve complex problems
• Works independently, with guidance in only the most complex situations
• May lead functional teams or projects
• Consistent exercise of discretion & judgment

Essential Functions

• Applies standard engineering techniques to design, analyze, test, maintain, repair, or improve products, components, or assemblies.
• Analyzes, develops and evaluates systems.
• Improves and maintains current systems or creates brand new projects.
• Designs and drafts blueprints, visits systems in the field and manages projects.
• Applies engineering techniques and analyses within the scope of the assignment.

Additional Responsibilities

Supports product lifecycle activities, including requirements development, verification, integration, qualification, configuration management, field support, and upgrades. Assesses technical changes, resolves production issues with cross-functional teams, participates in technical reviews and customer engagements, contributes to safety and logistics documentation, and manages risks and technical issues with efficiency.

Required Qualifications

Required education and experience: Associate's Degree and 8-10 years' experience
Discipline/Major: Engineering degree required
Critical professional related technical skills; computer skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred education and experience: Master's degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, or another closely related technical field.
Knowledge, skills & abilities: Strong technical judgment. Systems thinking. Analytical and critical-thinking skills. Structured problem solving. Technical leadership. Clear oral and written communication. Ability to work independently in ambiguous technical environments. Ability to collaborate effectively across organizational, cultural, and disciplinary boundaries.

Key Qualifications

• Ability to obtain a DoD Secret Security Clearance is required; an existing clearance is strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of formal systems engineering methods, requirements management, interface definition, verification planning, and configuration management.
• Experience developing or integrating complex systems in the Aerospace or Defense industry.
• Experience working directly with customers, suppliers, platform integrators, or Government technical organizations.
• Experience participating in multidisciplinary integration and test activities and coordinating across mechanical, electrical, software, controls, test, or manufacturing disciplines.
• Experience working with international suppliers, foreign-developed technology, or technical data transfer is desirable.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to remain in a stationary position at a desk and/or computer for e