Principal Systems Engineer

Elbit America, Inc.; Roanoke (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9/80 schedule

401(k) program

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Life Insurance

Flexible Vacation & PTO

Paid Parental Leave

Employee Referral Program

Voluntary Benefits

Tricare Supplement

Job summary

Elbit America, Inc. seeks an experienced Principal Systems Engineer to lead requirements analysis, technical planning, and systems design across warfighter electro-optical devices.

You will guide multi-disciplinary teams through concept to fielded solutions with a data-driven approach to qualification and risk management. Preferred candidates have a BS in engineering, an MS preferred, and a background in aerospace/defense with MBSE proficiency and the ability to obtain a secret clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering required.
• Master's degree in engineering preferred.
• Ability to obtain secret clearance.
• Experience with MBSE and VIS-NIR cameras is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead system-level hardware and optical bring-up, integration testing, and debug across HW, FW, SW, optics, power, and thermal domains.
• Define and execute system performance qualification plans aligned with product requirements and customer use cases.
• Own pre-reliability screening activities including stress, soak, power-cycle, and thermal-cycle tests to identify early system-level risks.
• Lead system-level pre-compliance testing including EMI/EMC pre-scan, SI/PI margin checks, and noise susceptibility.
• Drive root-cause analysis and corrective actions for qualification issues in partnership with design, test, and reliability teams.
• Own the System Product Qualification (PQ) Plan, execution tracking, and readiness reporting.
• Provide clear, data-driven Go/No-Go recommendations at qualification and release milestones.

Skills

Secret clearance

8+ years experience

A&D industry

Requirements management

Communication skills

Technical leadership

Written information

Education

Bachelor of Science in engineering

Master of Science in engineering

Tools

MBSE Cameo

Job description

Job Summary

The Principal Systems Engineer performs at an advanced level: requirements analysis and management, technical planning, systems level design, systems integration, verification and validation, cost and risk management, and supportability and effectiveness analyses for products in the warfighter systems portfolio. Analyses are performed during all phases of the product development process including concept, design, fabrication, test, installation, operation, and maintenance. The Principal Systems Engineer will provide guidance to the team in the development of warfighter systems electro optical devices.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities

• Lead system‑level hardware and optical bring‑up, integration testing, and debug across HW, FW, SW, optics, power, and thermal domains.
• Define and execute system performance qualification plans aligned with product requirements and customer use cases.
• Own pre‑reliability screening activities including stress, soak, power‑cycle, and thermal‑cycle tests to identify early system‑level risks.
• Lead system‑level pre‑compliance testing including EMI/EMC pre‑scan, SI/PI margin checks, and noise susceptibility.
• Drive root‑cause analysis and corrective actions for qualification issues in partnership with design, test, and reliability teams.
• Own the System Product Qualification (PQ) Plan, execution tracking, and readiness reporting.
• Provide clear, data‑driven Go/No‑Go recommendations at qualification and release milestones.

Business Relationships

• Individual engineers and subsystem‑level subject matter experts within and outside of the project team
• Program Manager

Education

• Bachelor of Science degree in the engineering field
• Preferred – Master of Science in the engineering field

Experience and Skills

• Ability to obtain a secret clearance
• Minimum of 8+ years of systems engineering experience
• Experience working within the aerospace or defense industry, and delivering solutions to the appropriate standards
• Experience with customer discovery/stakeholder needs and requirements
• Experience with requirements management, flows down, verification & validation during the product life cycle
• Excellent communication skills with multi‑disciplinary engineering team and government customers
• Experience with technical leadership of multi‑disciplinary design teams (such as electrical, mechanical, optical, image science, software, firmware, or test engineers)
• Proficient in written (reports, proposals, white papers) and verbal skills (technical presentations)

Preferred Attributes

• Technical skills, including Model‑Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) with Cameo
• Experience with VIS‑NIR cameras
• Certified to INCOSE CSEP or ESEP
• Experience with Electro‑Optical imaging systems (cameras), system design, integration, and test
• Experience delivering compliant Electro‑Optical imaging systems to customer requirements

Why Roanoke, Virginia?

• Lower cost of living
• Family‑friendly area
• Career and economic growth
• Scenic beauty
• Outdoor enthusiast's dream

Benefits We Offer

• Most locations offer a 9/80 schedule, providing every other Friday off
• Competitive compensation & 401(k) program to plan for your future
• Robust medical, dental, vision, & disability coverage with qualified wellness discounts
• Basic Life Insurance and Additional Life & AD&D Insurances are available
• Flexible Vacation & PTO
• Paid Parental Leave
• Generous Employee Referral Program
• Voluntary Benefits Available: Longer Term Care, Legal, Identity Theft, Pet Insurance, and more
• Voluntary Tricare Supplement available for military retirees

Elbit America is an equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

This job description does not list all the duties of the job. You may be asked by your supervisors or managers to perform other duties. The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description is not an employment contract. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

The salary range listed for this position reflects the anticipated base pay range for this role. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors including skills, experience, education, certifications, business needs, internal equity, and geographic location. Compensation may vary in different locations based on market conditions and cost‑of‑labor considerations.