Principal Systems Engineer (Aircraft integration required)

Applied Research Solutions; Bedford (MA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Career development opportunities

Work/life balance support

Job summary

A leading aerospace solutions provider is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer with aircraft integration experience for a full-time position in Bedford, MA. The ideal candidate will have significant software management experience and will assist with architecture and coding oversight. Responsibilities include evaluating program portfolios, preparing technical documents, and providing engineering support. Candidates must possess a Top Secret Security Clearance, an advanced Electrical Engineering degree, and extensive experience in aircraft systems, particularly within the DoD.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Top Secret Security Clearance required.
• Advanced degree and extensive experience in aircraft systems required.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate program portfolio and recommend plans.
• Conduct program reviews to ensure performance standards.
• Prepare technical documents and management reports.
• Analyze results of major engineering systems.
• Provide technical support and training for various programs.
• Participate in program and project risk management activities.

Skills

Aircraft integration

Systems engineering

Technical documentation

Problem/gap definition

Education

Advanced Electrical Engineering degree (MA/MS)

BA/BS degree

Job description

Job Category: Engineer

Requisition Number: SYSTE004431

Posted: March 17, 2026

Job Type: Full-Time

Location

Hanscom AFB, MA
200 Hanscom Dr
Bedford, MA 01730, USA

Applied Research Solutions is seeking a full-time Principal Systems Engineer with aircraft integration experience for Hanscom AFB. Significant software management experience required, as this position will assist with the contractor process, architecture and coding oversight. The Aerial Networks Division primary mission acquires, fields, and sustains networks, integrated information systems, enterprise services, and applications to support the Global Information Grid (GIG) capabilities. These systems facilitate communication between land, naval, air, and space warfare forces. The Division develops capabilities for voice, video, and data networks focused on joint and coalition warfighter needs to enable worldwide net‑centric operations.

Why Work With Us?

Applied Research Solutions (ARS) is respected as a world‑class provider of technically integrated solutions as we deliver premier talent and technology across our focused markets for unparalleled, continuous mission support. Awarded a Best Places to Work nominee since 2020, ARS recognizes that without our career‑driven, loyal professionals, we would not be able to deliver state‑of‑the‑art results for our mission partners. We firmly believe that prioritizing our employees is of the upmost importance. We provide a culture where our employees are challenged to meet their career goals and aspirations, while still obtaining a work/life balance. ARS employees are motivated through our industry competitive benefits package, our awards and recognition program, and personalized attention from ARS Senior Managers.

Responsibilities

• Conduct reviews on program portfolio to evaluate and/or recommend alternative plans, improve systems engineering programs/processes, manage/sustain program technical baseline, and design/perform system level tests to assure that subsystems and system performance is achieved in accordance with approved specifications.
• Perform program reviews to evaluate alternative proposed plans, systems engineering programs, design, and test results to assure that subsystem and system performance is achieved in accordance with program specifications.
• Prepare technical documents which define, specify, and recommend system/subsystem characteristics. Prepare management reports and conduct technical presentations for planning, implementation, and corrective action using application of engineering economy principles.
• Perform validation of systems, including development of criteria and procedures. Analyze and/or evaluate results of major engineering systems.
• Provide system/program engineering, technical support and technical training to support programs/initiatives, including but not limited to: acquisition, development, integration, sustainment, continued evolution, deployment/fielding and installation, and operations oversight.
• Provide engineering support services and inputs to program and project risk management activities in compliance with Air Force SEAM processes.
• Capable of performing problem/gap definition, trade space analysis, science and technology roadmap analysis, “Set based design” for concept development, Multi‑Objective Decision Analysis (MODA) and cost versus capability trade off analysis.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Top Secret Security Clearance.
• Experience in aircraft integration.
• Advanced Electrical Engineering degree (MA/MS) and 12 years of experience in aircraft systems, of which 5 years must be in the DoD, or a BA/BS degree and 15 years of experience in Electrical Engineering, of which 5 years must be in the DoD with aircraft systems, or 20 years of directly related experience with proper certifications as described in the Functionally Aligned Job Descriptions, of which 8 years must be in the DoD with aircraft systems.

Annual Salary Range: $170k - $190k. Salary is dependent upon the role and associated responsibilities, candidate's experience, and qualifications to include education/training, and key skills.

All positions at Applied Research Solutions are subject to background investigations. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history and identity check.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60‑741.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability, and requires affirmative action by covered prime contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60‑300.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified protected veterans, and requires affirmative action by covered contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans.

Equal Opportunity Employer | Protected Veterans | Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.