Senior Systems Engineer

Karman Space and Defense; Mukilteo (WA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Company-paid life and AD&D insurance

Disability coverage

Job summary

Karman Space and Defense is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer for on-site work in Mukilteo, WA. You will provide program-level technical oversight for aerospace structures, mechanisms, and flight‑worthy hardware, guiding system maturation and verification to meet requirements.

The role requires a Bachelor’s in mechanical or aerospace engineering with 6+ years in aerospace/defense, plus 2+ years in systems engineering. DoD clearance or ability to obtain is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering or equivalent
• Typically 6+ years in aerospace/defense, incl. 2+ years in systems engineering
• Experience with mechanical systems, structures, electronics, cabling, system integration, and qualification testing
• Mastery of aerospace engineering fundamentals including structural analysis, finite element analysis, physics-based modeling, dynamics and kinematics, advanced materials, design, and test
• Ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary technical projects
• Strong mechanical aptitude, problem-solving, and detail-oriented execution
• Excellent communication and customer relations skills
• DoD Secret clearance (or ability to obtain one)

Responsibilities

• Lead program-level technical oversight to ensure products meet requirements
• Balance design, analysis, and test activities for robust outcomes
• Drive system architecture decisions via modeling and requirements decomposition
• Verify completeness and documentation of system requirements
• Lead development of system test plans to validate performance
• Prepare engineering reports, technical documentation, and customer presentations
• Develop interface control drawings and interface description documents
• Contribute to engineering standards, training materials, and best‑practice guidelines
• Mentor and support engineers with lesser experience

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication skills

Problem solving

Systems engineering

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Master’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Tools

Finite element analysis (FEA)

System modeling

Requirement decomposition

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Full Time Mukilteo, WA, US

Salary Range: $135,000.00 To $180,000.00 Annually

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

We design and deliver dependable hypersonic/strategic missile defense systems; integrating multiple technologies into unified, mission-ready hardware supporting demanding environments.

The Senior Systems Engineer provides program-level technical oversight and drives product maturation for aerospace structures, mechanisms, mechanical systems, and flight‑worthy hardware. This role plans and executes system engineering activities, coordinates multidisciplinary efforts, and ensures final products meet all technical and program requirements while reporting to the Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead.

This is an full-time on-site position working out of our Mukilteo, WA location. This role will be working a 9/80 schedule.

Responsibilities

• Lead program-level technical oversight to ensure products meet all applicable requirements
• Maintain balanced focus across design, analysis, and test activities to ensure robust engineering outcomes
• Drive system architecture decisions through modeling, requirement decomposition, and system-level analyses
• Verify completeness, compliance, and documentation of system requirements
• Lead development of system test plans to validate performance
• Prepare engineering reports, technical documentation, and customer presentations
• Develop interface control drawings and interface description documents
• Contribute to engineering standards, training materials, and best‑practice guidelines
• Mentor and support engineers with lesser experience

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or equivalent
• Typically 6+ years of aerospace or defense engineering experience, including 2+ years performing systems engineering work
• Experience with development of mechanical systems, structures, electronics, electrical cabling, system integration, and qualification testing
• Mastery of general aerospace engineering principles including structural analysis, finite element analysis, physics-based modeling, dynamics and kinematics, advanced materials, design, and test
• Demonstrated ability to lead, plan, and execute multidisciplinary technical projects
• Strong mechanical aptitude, problem‑solving skills, and ability to balance big‑picture goals with detailed execution
• Excellent communication and customer relationship skills
• A current U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or equivalent
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company-paid life and AD&D insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage

Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.