Principle Electrical Systems Engineer

NSS; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

NSS in Herndon, VA, seeks a Principal Electrical Systems Engineer to lead the electrical architecture for advanced laser, electro-optical, and sensing systems used in spaceflight and defense. You will guide development from concept through integration, test, and deployment, mentoring engineers along the way.

We value hands-on leadership, system-level thinking, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-reliability electronics for NASA, DoD, and commercial customers.

Qualifications

• BSEE required; MSEE preferred.
• 15+ years of aerospace/electrical systems experience.
• Experience as technical lead or system architect.
• Experience with spaceflight electronics and high-reliability systems.
• Strong system-level architecture, verification, and troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Lead the electrical architecture, design, and technical execution of complex electro-optical, laser, and sensing systems for spaceflight and defense applications.
• Define system-level electrical requirements, interfaces, performance budgets, and verification strategies.
• Provide technical leadership for high-reliability electronics including power, control, data acquisition, signal conditioning, and interconnects.
• Lead subsystem integration activities and ensure interface compatibility across multidisciplinary systems.
• Lead system integration, verification, validation, troubleshooting, and qualification activities.
• Support customer interactions, technical proposals, design reviews, and program execution.
• Mentor and develop junior and mid-level engineers.
• Participate in laboratory testing, environmental testing, and field demonstrations.
• Support multiple concurrent R&D and production programs with NASA, DoD, and commercial space customers.

Skills

System architecture

Electrical design

Lead engineer

Electro-optical systems

Lab testing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering

Job description

Currently seeking a Principal Electrical Systems Engineer to join our Herndon, VA team and lead the development of advanced electro-optical and laser-based systems supporting NASA, DoD, and commercial space missions.

In this role, you will serve as the technical lead for the electrical architecture of complex aerospace systems, guiding programs from concept development through integration, test, qualification, and mission deployment. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams of optical, mechanical, software, and systems engineers to develop next-generation laser, sensing, and remote sensing technologies for demanding spaceflight applications.

This position is ideal for an experienced engineer who enjoys solving challenging technical problems, defining system architectures, mentoring engineers, and helping transition advanced research into operational aerospace systems.

This is a long-term and permanent opportunity. No clearance required.

• Lead the electrical architecture, design, and technical execution of complex electro-optical, laser, and sensing systems for spaceflight and defense applications.
• Define system-level electrical requirements, interfaces, performance budgets, and verification strategies.
• Provide technical leadership for the development of high-reliability electronics, including power systems, control electronics, data acquisition systems, signal conditioning, and system interconnects.
• Lead electrical subsystem integration activities and ensure successful interface compatibility across multidisciplinary systems.
• Lead system integration, verification, validation, troubleshooting, and qualification activities.
• Support customer interactions, technical proposals, design reviews, and program execution.
• Mentor and develop junior and mid-level engineers while helping establish engineering best practices.
• Participate in laboratory testing, environmental testing, and field demonstrations as required.
• Support multiple concurrent R&D and production programs spanning NASA, DoD, and commercial space customers.

Experience and Expertise Required

• BSEE required; MSEE preferred.
• 15+ years of experience developing complex aerospace, defense, or spaceflight electrical systems.
• Demonstrated experience serving as the technical lead, principal engineer, or system architect for complex electrical systems.
• Direct experience developing, integrating, testing, or qualifying electronics for spaceflight applications, including satellites, spacecraft, launch vehicles, scientific instruments, human-rated systems, or other high-reliability aerospace platforms.
• Strong background in system-level electrical architecture, integration, verification, troubleshooting, and qualification.
• Experience with power distribution, control electronics, instrumentation, mixed-signal systems, and electrical interfaces.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary engineering teams and leading technical decision-making.
• Ability to work hands-on in laboratory environments and support system integration and test activities.