Principal Systems Engineer

Coherent Aerospace & Defense Inc; Longmont (CO); On-site; USD 101,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

Attalon is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to evaluate and implement solutions for design, integration, test, and troubleshooting of complex, high precision gimbals. The role requires strong expertise in system architecture, requirements development, mechanical and electrical engineering, and software integration.

You will lead projects, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and guide technical decisions across the system lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a STEM discipline with 9+ years of relevant experience.
• Master's degree with 7+ years or PhD with 4 years acceptable.
• Experience with high precision gimbals and non-gimballed laser systems desirable.
• Background in system requirements, architecture, and verification.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain system requirements with traceability.
• Architect, design, and document system interfaces and characteristics.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, optical, and software engineers.
• Analyze control algorithms for precision motion, using MATLAB/Simulink.
• Integrate sensors to estimate system state and ensure verification.
• Develop test plans, analyze data, and identify root causes of failures.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship on system-level design.

Skills

System engineering

MBSE

Problem solving

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Technical leadership

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's in STEM

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

CAD

MATLAB

FEA

Job description

About this position

Attalon is a leading technology partner to the global aerospace and defense industry, specializing in the physics of light and heat. With over 500 employees in the U.S., Attalon engineers critical optical, laser, and coating technologies that enable systems to see farther, target faster, and survive the harshest environments. From high-energy directed laser systems to satellite optics and hypersonic thermal protection, Attalon equips the warfighter with the advantage of precision.

Job Summary

Attalon is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to evaluate and implement solutions for design, integration, test, and troubleshooting of complex, high precision gimbals. The successful candidate will have expertise in system architecture, requirement development, mechanical and electrical engineering, software integration, and quantitative data analysis. This role involves leading projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and providing technical leadership throughout the entire system lifecycle. The breadth of systems-engineering knowledge necessary to advise on the development of non-gimballed systems (e.g. laser systems) is necessary.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• System Requirements: Define and ensure compliance with system requirements for the integration of sub-systems and components into a larger system. Actively maintain requirements database including bi-directional traceability and verification information.
• System Architecture & Design: Architect, design, and document systems, including their interfaces and operational characteristics
• Integration & Collaboration: Work with mechanical, electrical, optical and software engineers to integrate assemblies into the overall system and identify all interface needs between subsystems and architecture domains including mechanical, electrical, optical and controls interfaces.
• Control Systems: Analyse and ensure control algorithms for stabilization, high precision motion control, actuation and tracking, using tools like MATLAB/Simulink for compliance with motion control requirements.
• Sensor Integration: Integrate and fuse data from sensors like IMUs and encoders to estimate the system's state.
• Testing & Verification: Support the development of test plans and procedures, and perform analysis of test data to verify performance, functionality and identify root causes of failures.
• Troubleshooting: Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues during the development, manufacturing, and testing phases
• Technical Guidance: Provide technical guidance and mentorship to cross-disciplinary engineers on system level design and integration considerations.

Education & Experience

Bachelor's Degree in a STEM discipline and 9+ years of relevant experience, or master's degree and 7+ years of relevant experience or a PhD with 4 years experience Prior experience in systems engineering high precision gimbals is necessary, and experience with non-gimballed systems (e.g. laser systems) is highly desirable.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of mechanical design principles, control systems, and electro-optical technologies relevant to laser systems and gimballed optical systems.
• Experience in Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and practices is a plus Optical test and verification methods
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to analyze complex systems and troubleshoot technical issues
• Understanding of cable and harness build workmanship and EMI suppression techniques.
• Knowledge of thermal, mechanical, vibration, and shock effects on optical systems
• Knowledge of typical constraining reliability and performance factors specific to various environments including air, sea, land and space.
• Mechanical design and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing
• Knowledge of optical and mechanical materials and fabrication processes
• Proficiency in using engineering software tools for modeling, simulation, and analysis desirable (e.g., CAD, FEA, MATLAB, etc.)
• Vendor/supplier sub-contract oversight including optics, mechanics, tooling fabrication, optical coatings, and software
• Analysis, advising, and reporting on the feasibility of new projects

For Colorado, the salary pay range for this role is $100,600.00 - $172,400.00

Please note this range is provided as a general guideline. When determining an offer, Attalon takes into account multiple factors, including (but not limited to) the responsibilities of the position, your professional experience, education and training, specialized skills, and current market and business conditions.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Attalon, Inc. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Export Control Compliance

This role involves access to technology, materials, software, or hardware subject to U.S. export control laws. Therefore, to be considered, candidates must be classified as a “U.S. Person” under applicable regulations or be eligible for authorization under a U.S. government export license.