Principal Systems Engineer - Digital Engineering & Advanced Tools

SES Space & Defense; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

SES Space & Defense is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer – Digital Engineering & Advanced Technologies to lead modern digital capabilities across cloud platforms, AI/ML, analytics, and automation. You will architect scalable, secure, data-driven solutions for mission-critical operations, collaborating across engineering, software, and operations teams.

The role requires a strong systems engineering foundation, experience with cloud environments (AWS/Azure/GCP), and a track record in

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, CS, or related field.
• 10+ years in systems engineering, digital engineering, or related fields.
• Experience designing cloud-based solutions in defense/government environments.
• Strong understanding of software architectures and enterprise integration.

Responsibilities

• Lead the systems engineering, architecture, and integration of digital engineering initiatives.
• Develop and implement AI/ML, analytics, and automation tech to boost performance.
• Define architectures, roadmaps, interfaces, and integration for data platforms.
• Design API-based integrations between internal and external systems.
• Collaborate with software teams to align requirements with business goals.
• Support cloud-native apps and microservices architectures.
• Guide data governance, analytics, and reporting frameworks enterprise-wide.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

Cloud architecture

AI/ML

RESTful APIs

Data analytics

DevSecOps

MBSE

System architecture

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

Who We Are

At SES Space & Defense, we are a trusted partner ensuring mission success for customers operating in the most demanding environments. As part of SES S.A., a global leader in satellite-enabled connectivity, we deliver multi-orbit, end-to-end satellite and technology solutions that provide secure, reliable, and high-bandwidth communications across the globe.

Our differentiated multi-orbit architecture combines GEO and MEO satellite systems with integrated terrestrial and network infrastructure to deliver resilient, low‑latency, high‑throughput connectivity at a global scale. With more than 120 satellites covering nearly the entire world, a global ground network, and thousands of deployed terminals supporting over 5,000 government missions annually, SES Space and Defense is a trusted partner to the U.S. Federal Government and national security community, allied governments, NATO, and agencies including NASA for mission‑critical communications.

We strive to be the only solution when success is critical and recognize our people as our competitive advantage. At SES Space & Defense, you’ll work alongside a mission‑driven team committed to integrity, honor, and accountability, delivering real‑world impact across today’s most critical missions.

What You’ll Do

We are seeking an experienced and innovative Principal Systems Engineer – Digital Engineering & Advanced Technologies to lead the development and implementation of next‑generation digital capabilities across cloud platforms, software systems, data architectures, analytics environments, and automation frameworks. This position serves as a technical leader responsible for advancing digital transformation initiatives through the application of cloud technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), advanced analytics, software integration, API‑driven architectures, and enterprise automation solutions. Working across engineering, software development, operations, and business teams, you will architect and deliver scalable, secure, and data‑driven solutions that improve operational effectiveness, enhance decision‑making, and accelerate mission outcomes. The ideal candidate combines a strong systems engineering foundation with expertise in modern software ecosystems, digital engineering practices, enterprise data architectures, and emerging technologies. You will play a key role in shaping the organization’s digital engineering strategy while enabling the next generation of engineering and operational capabilities.

• Lead the systems engineering, architecture, and integration of digital engineering and technology modernization initiatives
• Develop and implement solutions leveraging AI, machine learning, predictive analytics, and automation technologies to improve operational performance and business outcomes
• Define and manage system architectures, technical roadmaps, requirements, interfaces, and integration strategies for enterprise software and data platforms
• Design and oversee API‑based integrations between internal and external systems, applications, and services
• Collaborate with software engineering teams to ensure system requirements, architecture, and technical solutions are aligned with business objectives
• Support the development and deployment of cloud‑native applications and microservices‑based architectures
• Lead digital engineering initiatives that improve engineering efficiency, data accessibility, traceability, and decision‑making across the enterprise
• Develop enterprise data architecture strategies that enable effective data governance, analytics, automation, and interoperability across business and operational systems
• Establish data management, analytics, and reporting frameworks that enable actionable insights and operational visibility
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend innovative solutions to enhance digital capabilities
• Develop technical documentation, system designs, interface specifications, and engineering artifacts throughout the system lifecycle
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Support customer engagements, technical presentations, business development activities, and strategic planning efforts as a subject matter expert

Who You Are

You are a systems engineering leader who understands that the future of engineering lies at the intersection of software, cloud technologies, enterprise data, automation, and artificial intelligence. You thrive on solving complex, multidisciplinary challenges by connecting engineering principles with modern digital capabilities that improve mission execution and business performance. You are equally comfortable defining enterprise architectures, mentoring technical teams, engaging customers, and influencing strategic technology decisions. Your ability to bridge systems engineering with software development, cloud platforms, and digital engineering practices enables you to deliver practical, scalable solutions that create measurable operational value. Most importantly, you are driven by innovation, continuous learning, and the opportunity to shape how next‑generation technologies are adopted across the organization.

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, Data Science, or a related technical discipline
• 10+ years of experience in systems engineering, digital engineering, software integration, cloud architecture, data analytics, or related technical fields
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing cloud‑based solutions within commercial, government, or defense environments
• Strong understanding of software development methodologies, system architectures, and enterprise integration patterns
• Experience developing, integrating, or managing RESTful APIs, web services, and software interfaces
• Experience with data analytics platforms, visualization tools, automation technologies, and enterprise data environments
• Knowledge of AI, machine learning, advanced analytics, and their practical application to operational and business challenges
• Experience leading complex technical efforts involving multiple stakeholders and engineering disciplines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to technical and non‑technical audiences
• Ability to lead cross‑functional technical teams and drive engineering efforts from concept through implementation
• Experience with AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform preferred
• Experience implementing Digital Engineering strategies, tools, and processes within large‑scale engineering or operational environments preferred
• Familiarity with Model‑Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies and tools preferred
• Experience with enterprise data architectures, data lakes, data warehouses, and large‑scale analytics environments preferred
• Familiarity with digital thread and digital engineering ecosystem concepts preferred
• Experience with DevSecOps, CI/CD pipelines, containerization, and orchestration technologies preferred
• Knowledge of robotic process automation (RPA) and workflow automation platforms preferred
• Experience supporting defense, aerospace, telecommunications, or satellite communications programs preferred
• Understanding of satellite communications architectures, network management systems, ground segment operations, or space mission operations preferred
• Advanced degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related technical discipline preferred
• Relevant industry certifications in cloud computing, systems engineering, AI/ML, software architecture, cybersecurity, or data engineering preferred