Senior Principal Systems Engineer

Leonardo DRS; Largo (FL); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

Leonardo DRS Naval Electronics is seeking a Senior Principal Systems Engineer to provide technical leadership for RF radar systems, supporting existing contracts and pursuing new business opportunities within the RF/Sensors line of business.

The role offers hybrid work with locations including Largo, FL, Twin Cities MN, DC Navy Yard, and Frederick, MD. U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain DoD clearance are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field with 10+ years of experience.
• Mastery of RF/radar technologies and domain knowledge.
• Experience leading complex small and large proposals and new business pursuits.
• U.S. Citizenship required and ability to obtain DoD clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead RF system design, analysis, and development.
• Mentor engineers and coordinate across teams.
• Prepare high‑value proposals and support new business capture.
• Ensure cost, schedule, and technical performance targets are met.
• Interface with customers and management to progress programs.

Skills

RF/Radar knowledge

Technical leadership

Proposal development

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Job description

Senior Principal Systems Engineer

Location: Largo, FL; Washington, DC; Frederick, MD; Burnsville, MN

Job ID:114761

The Leonardo DRS Naval Electronics business provides leading naval computing infrastructure, network and data distribution and middleware enterprise services, as well as world‑class manufacturing and support capabilities.

Job Summary

We are looking for a Senior Principal Systems Engineer for our Naval Electronics systems engineering group. In this position you will provide technical leadership for engineering on radar and other RF system in support of existing contracts and in pursuit of new business opportunities and product/portfolio growth for our RF/Sensors Line of Business (LOB).

Location / Schedule

This position can be based out of one of the following Naval Electronics' locations (hybrid schedule eligible / routine onsite requirements apply):

• Sensors Center of Excellence – Largo, FL (preferred)
• Submarine Combat Systems Center of Excellence – Twin Cities, MN
• Business Development & Customer Relations – Washington DC (Navy Yard)
• Engineering Center of Excellence – Frederick, MD

Job Responsibilities

• Involved with the analysis, design, development and implementation of new and/or existing RF systems/sub‑systems.
• Responsible for driving technology and completion of activity on time and budget.
• Design, develop, analyze, document and support testing of RF products, systems or subsystems.
• Ability to complete a technical project independently.
• Mentor and coach other engineers.
• Review customer specifications and requirements, and develop designs to best support them, including cost as a key design variable.
• Ability to lead major problem resolution efforts and support regaining or attaining customer partner status.
• Be a key member of the new business capture team.
• Provide budget, cost and schedule input for design assignments.
• Document component and subsystem specifications and material requirements.
• Analyze designs as necessary. Responsible for higher‑level product line architecture and providing guidance and oversight to multiple development teams working on different products or technologies to ensure the technologies interoperate or connect to each other appropriately.
• Attend appropriate engineering, customer or business meetings.
• Actively support pursuit of new RF business by developing and presenting new concepts, technologies or applications as part of Business Development and Program Management team.
• Develop trusted engineering contacts with the customer. Become a part of the customer’s design team, looking out for their best interests.
• Specify and evaluate supplier components, subsystems and services.
• Support the program design to cost and design for manufacture requirements.
• Develop prototypes to retire key development risks.
• Communicate clearly (written and oral) with manufacturing, supply chain, program management and the customer as required.
• Participate heavily in preparation of the more complex and significant proposals.
• Provide technical expertise and assistance to other engineers and support personnel.
• Interact with technical management, other professionals, technicians and support personnel to coordinate, recommend and confer regarding technical activities and progress.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical field with a minimum of 10 years of experience.
• Mastery of RF/radar technologies and domain knowledge.
• Expected to have knowledge and significant experience in multiple engineering disciplines.
• Ability to lead major problem resolution efforts and support regaining or attaining customer partner status.
• Experience being the technical point of contact and lead in preparation of complex small and large proposals and new business pursuits.
• Experience strategizing new maritime concepts of operation in conjunction with new product development is highly desired.

U.S. Citizenship required. This position requires an active DOD security clearance or the ability to obtain such clearance within a reasonable time after commencement of employment.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $130,000/year–$215,000/year. In addition to base pay, employees may be eligible for annual performance-based bonuses, equity awards, overtime pay (for non‑exempt employees). Benefits include comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), employer matching 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick leave), parental leave, tuition reimbursement, professional development support, life and disability insurance, and other applicable benefits.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Leonardo DRS, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.