Sr. Systems Engineer (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)

Fairwinds Technologies; Oklahoma; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairwinds Technologies seeks a Senior Systems Engineer with extensive avionics integration experience to lead systems engineering across the full lifecycle for a major AWACS modernization program. Responsibilities include requirements development, architecture design, integration, testing, certification, and fielding, with a focus on cybersecurity and airworthiness.

The role is supervisory, requiring oversight of multidisciplinary teams and coordination with program leadership, customers, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related engineering discipline.
• 15+ years aerospace/defense systems engineering experience.
• 7+ years in military avionics or mission systems.
• Experience leading from requirements to deployment.
• Active DoD secret clearance or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-disciplinary systems engineering activities across avionics, software, cybersecurity, test, and logistics.
• Guide requirements decomposition and architecture development.
• Coordinate with OEMs, government agencies, and subcontractors to ensure interoperability.
• Lead verification, testing, and certification activities across lab, ground, and flight tests.
• Ensure system interoperability and airworthiness compliance throughout the lifecycle.

Skills

Leadership

Systems engineering

Airborne systems

Communication

Problem solving

Defense acquisition

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

DOORS

Flight test tools

Job description

Senior Systems Engineer

Desired Start Date: 2 weeks prior to award, or no later than 2 weeks after award

Location: Oklahoma City, OK

Clearance Requirement: Active Secret Security Clearance required at time of employment

Travel Requirement: Up to 25–35% domestic and international travel

Position Summary

Fairwinds Technologies is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer with extensive avionics integration experience to support a major AWACS modernization program. This role provides technical leadership for the integration of airborne communications, avionics, mission systems, software, cybersecurity, and ground support capabilities within a military aircraft environment. The successful candidate will lead systems engineering activities across the full lifecycle—from requirements development and architecture design through integration, testing, certification, and fielding. This individual will serve as a key technical authority supporting aircraft modifications, communications upgrades, mission system integration, cybersecurity implementation, and airworthiness certification.

This is a supervisory position.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering activities and multidisciplinary teams across avionics, software, cybersecurity, test, and logistics disciplines.
• Provide technical guidance to program leadership, customers, and government stakeholders.
• Manage technical planning, execution, risk mitigation, and problem resolution throughout the program lifecycle.
• Lead requirements decomposition, functional analysis, system architecture development, and interface management.
• Develop and maintain Systems Engineering Management Plans (SEMPs), requirements traceability, compliance matrices, and verification documentation.
• Manage requirements and traceability using IBM DOORS or equivalent tools.
• Conduct trade studies, technical evaluations, and system impact assessments.
• Lead integration efforts involving:
• Military communications systems (UHF/VHF/HF, ARC-210, secure communications, COMSEC)
• Aircraft networking and mission computing systems
• Operator workstations and mission support systems
• Ground-to-air communications and interoperability solutions
• Assessing impacts to aircraft electrical, structural, cooling, and network architectures.
• Coordinating with OEMs, government agencies, laboratories, and subcontractors.
• Resolving technical integration challenges and ensuring system interoperability.
• Lead verification and validation activities supporting laboratory, ground, and flight testing.
• Support qualification testing, system integration laboratories, ground acceptance testing, and flight acceptance testing.
• Review test procedures and results, conduct root cause analysis, and verify compliance with requirements.
• Support airworthiness certification, flight release, and aircraft modification activities.
• Integrate cybersecurity requirements into system design, testing, and certification activities.
• Support RMF, ATO, POA&M, Program Protection Plans, Supply Chain Risk Management, and secure architecture development.
• Ensure compliance with applicable certification, airworthiness, and security requirements.
• Manage technical risks and mitigation strategies.
• Support configuration control, engineering baseline management, ECP reviews, audits, and engineering change processes.
• Ensure accuracy and compliance of technical documentation and engineering data packages.

Required Qualifications Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

Experience

• 15+ years of systems engineering experience supporting aerospace, aviation, or defense programs.
• 7+ years supporting military avionics, aircraft modernization, airborne communications, or mission systems programs.
• Experience leading engineering efforts from requirements development through deployment and sustainment.
• Experience supporting government acquisition or defense modernization programs
• Strong understanding of avionics systems, aircraft integration, systems engineering, flight testing, certification, and defense acquisition processes.
• Excellent leadership, communication, problem-solving, and customer relationship management skills.
• Experience with AWACS, ISR, C2, airborne communications, or large aircraft mission systems.

Compensation - Salary

At Fairwinds, we consider many factors when it comes to compensation, including the scope of the position as well as your background and experience. Base pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, location and experience. Additional incentives may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full time, exempt position.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance

Must be eligible to work in the US. Must hold an ACTIVE DoD secret clearance.

AAP/EEO Statement

Fairwinds Technologies, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity