Sr. Systems Engineer

Safran Group; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Safran Electronics & Defense Avionics USA, part of the Safran group, seeks a Sr. Systems Engineer to drive design and verification of pilot control, actuation, and cockpit solutions for military and commercial aircraft.

You will manage product development across the lifecycle, coordinating requirements, interfaces, and verification with cross-functional teams, and ensuring timely delivery and compliance.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of related work experience in systems engineering.
• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or related field.
• Experience with MBSE, model-based design and system development.
• Knowledge of aerospace, electrical or mechanical systems and standards.

Responsibilities

• Plan, design, develop, verify and document systems.
• Define and manage system performance requirements and interfaces.
• Create test plans, execute verification tasks and ensure traceability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve problems.

Skills

MBSE

CAMEO

DOORS

Requirements management

System engineering

Education

Bachelor of Science in engineering

Tools

DOORS

CAMEO

Job description

Sr. Systems Engineer

Job details

Reference number: 2026-176277

Domain: Research, design and development

Job field / Job profile: Architecture and systems engineering - Systems engineering

Job title: Sr. Systems Engineer

Employment type: Permanent

Professional category: Professional, Engineer & Manager

Part time / Full time: Full-time

General information

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets.

Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazine's "World's Best Companies 2025" ranking.

Safran Electronics & Defense is an international company with more than 19,000 employees who bring together expertise and team spirit to design high-technology solutions for the aerospace, defense and space sectors. By combining human and technological intelligence, the company develops products and services for both civil and military customers, operating on land, at sea, in the air and in space.

Job description

At Safran Electronics & Defense Avionics USA, we are driven by innovation, precision, and purpose. As part of the global Safran Group, our culture is built on teamwork, collaboration, and a shared commitment to excellence through our global initiative, Safran Together. Join a passionate team where your contributions make an impact—because at Safran, we move forward together.

Job Summary:

The Sr. Systems Engineer is a key member of a cross-disciplinary team driving the design, development and execution of the pilot control, actuation systems, and cockpit solutions program for the next generation of military and commercial aircraft. The Systems Engineer works on the development of new products, and the improvement and sustainment of products. Engineering duties will span the entire product lifecycle, from initial design and requirements capture through manufacture and field support.

Essential Job Functions

• Participate in the planning, design, development, and verification of systems.
• Evaluate customer and operational needs to define and coordinate system performance requirements, integrate technical parameters, and assure compatibility of all physical, functional, and program interfaces.
• Implement verification and validation of system requirements with proper flow down and traceability for system and hardware components. Create test plans and schedules; develop test procedures and supporting documentation, execute verification tasks, and demonstrate requirements verification coverage.
• Perform interface development, documentation, compliance, and system integration to ensure system success.
• Provide trade studies and impact analysis, failure analysis, and modeling.
• Review customer specifications and determine compliance to requirements and statement of work and/or note exceptions.
• Ensure the timely and efficient completion of projects to achieve the company's strategic and financial goals.
• Design new products and modify existing products to support customer, manufacturing, regulatory, industry standard, and market requirements.
• Provide technical support, interact, and collaborate with cross-functional teams, including design, manufacturing, quality, testing, program management, suppliers, and customers to resolve problems and implement solutions.
• Evaluate design changes for impact to product design, cost, and schedule.
• Will be an integral member of program Change Control Board's (CCB) to review the preparation of documentation with the end goal of system qualification and product certification.
• Participate in new product development process to support design for manufacturability, design for cost, preliminary and critical design reviews. Identify and analyze potential failure modes and recommend design improvements.
• Other duties may be assigned.

But what else? (advantages, specificities, etc.)

Leadership Skills / Management Skills / Personal Skills:

• Inductive reasoning
• Integrity
• Judgement and problem solving
• Leadership
• Communication, both verbally and written and through active listening and reading comprehension.
• Customer oriented
• Adaptable and flexible
• Ability to summarize complex information
• A deep understanding of root cause corrective action
• Knowledge of change control management
• Critical thinking
• Dependability
• Change agent
• Planning, organization, and prioritizing

Travel Specificity: Potential travel between Irvine, California and other locations up to 25%.

Safran is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics, including those outlined under California law.

Candidate skills & requirements

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited course of study in engineering, aerospace, electrical, engineering technology, manufacturing, industrial, mechanical, or systems engineering.

8 or more years' related work experience or an equivalent combination of technical education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must be a self-directed individual requiring minimal supervision
• Demonstrated ability to think critically, identify root cause and propose effective solutions
• Understands and is proficient with engineering documentation requirements, and engineering analysis tools.
• Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services
• Knowledge of industry and regulatory standards, policies, and compliance requirements.
• Knowledge or experience in aerospace, electrical, or mechanical systems
• Understands the safety and environmental implications of architecture decisions required for aerospace applications.
• Ability to work closely with internal and external customers at engineering and management levels with minimum supervision
• Experience presenting technical plans or speaking on technical topics to project teams, customers or other groups as required
• Adhere to safe work practices and contributes to the evolution of the health, safety, and environmental program and culture
• Knowledge or experience with one or more of the following areas: electrical, software, mechanical, or electronic system design, analysis and qualification.
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) using tools such as Cameo or equivalents.
• Proficiency in using a requirement management software tool (such as DOORS) for requirements capture and management.
• Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Strong understanding of system engineering development processes, such as ARP 4754 or IEEE 632.
• Knowledge or experience with Matlab/Simulink/Simscape and their application to system modeling, performance, and design, preferred.
• Experience with DO-160, ARP4761, and MIL-STD-810 preferred.
• Familiar with Advance Product Quality Planning is a plus but not required.

Other Requirements

This position requires use of information or access to hardware which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. Persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. Persons as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. green card holder), political asylee or refugee.

Annual salary

$140K - $180K

Job location

North America, United States, California

City (-ies)

1833 Alton Parkway CA 92606 Irvine

Applicant criteria

Minimum education level achieved

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum experience level required

More than 8 years

ITAR Controlled Position: Select "Yes" if role requires U.S. citizenship/permanent residency

Yes