Systems Engineer 4

PDS Defense, Inc.; Everett (WA); On-site; USD 106,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

PDS Defense, Inc. in Everett, WA is seeking a Systems Engineer 4 to lead and integrate aerial refueling hardware across the product lifecycle.

You will own subsystems, coordinate with multiple teams and suppliers, and ensure compliance with certification and safety requirements. The role requires strong mechanical systems background, experience in requirements, and excellent communication skills to manage complex integration efforts for the KC-46 platform.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of related work experience or equivalent.
• 1+ year defining, verifying, or validating requirements.
• 1+ year experience in mechanical systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to collaborate and work in a team.

Responsibilities

• Lead and/or support engineering design, development, analysis, testing and certification of aerial refueling hardware systems.
• Develop, validate, and verify system-level requirements.
• Collaborate on design, development, integration, testing and operational capability.
• Lead and/or assist in the development of test plans for certification activities.
• Communicate technical information with teams, suppliers, customers and regulators.
• Manage product configuration and architecture.
• Coordinate system-level integration for hardware and software.
• Oversee critical tests to validate performance against requirements.
• Gather information for proposals and conduct trade studies for upgrades.
• Coordinate FAA/military certification and airworthiness activities.

Skills

Five-plus years experience

Requirements definition

Mechanical systems

Clear communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor of Science in engineering/related field

Advanced degree (MS/PhD) preferred

Job description

Engineering

Systems Engineer 4 Everett, WA Posted: 5/8/2026

Job Description

Job ID#

217720

Job Category:

Engineering

Position Type:

Associate - W2

Duration:

12 Months

Shift:

1

Positions Available:

5

PDS Defense, Inc. is seeking a Systems Engineer 4, in Everett, WA. Job ID#217720

Pay Rate: $77 - $82/hr

Job Description:

The KC-46 Aerial Refueling Systems team is seeking a highly motivated, capable, and quick learning Senior Systems Design Engineer and Equipment Manager to support the KC-46A program. The KC-46 Aerial Refueling Systems team is made up of a diverse set of engineers that design, develop, test, certify, and support the following systems: aerial refueling boom, hose and drogue, aerial refueling operating station, and the remote vision system. In this role, the engineer will be the prime system design focal for one of our many components or sub-systems that make up the aerial refueling platform. They will own the components or sub-systems across the entire product lifecycle, integrating across multiple teams, external customers, and suppliers to ensure a quality system is designed, manufactured, tested, and maintained as part of the KC-46 platform.

As a key player in one of the most advanced aerial refueling systems in the world, you will oversee the system design and management of critical equipment that supports our mission to deliver unparalleled capabilities to our customers. This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of aviation technology, ensuring that our equipment meets the highest standards of performance and reliability. The ideal candidate will have a background in mechanical systems, systems design and architecture, supplier engineering, certification, or requirement verification/validation; the ability to communicate effectively; and the ability to integrate with various teams effectively as part of a geographically-dispersed team.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead and/or support the engineering design, development, analysis, testing, and certification of the aerial refueling hardware systems to ensure seamless integration with software and higher-level systems and platforms throughout a product's lifecycle
• Develop, validate, and verify system level requirements
• Collaborate on the design, development, integration, testing, and operational capability of various programs
• Lead and/or assist in the development of test plans and procedures in support of certification activities
• Clearly communicates technical information with teams, suppliers, customers, and regulatory delegates to certify and produce a product
• Manages product configuration and architecture
• Coordinate system-level integration for defensive systems hardware and software
• Oversee the definition and execution of critical tests of various types to validate the performance of designs against system requirements
• Gather information to support proposal development and conduct trade studies for future upgrades and new business opportunities
• Coordinate and ensure FAA, military certification, and airworthiness activities for the defensive hardware systems and its components
• Coordinate and consult with specialty engineering Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) such as safety, electromagnetic emissions, and cybersecurity
• Provide troubleshooting support for production labs and aircraft when technical issues occur
• Conduct technical issue investigations and Root Cause and Corrective Actions (RCCAs)

Required Skills

• Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited course of study in engineering, engineering technology (includes manufacturing engineering technology), chemistry, physics, mathematics, data science, or computer science
• 5 or more years' related work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• 1+ year of experience defining, verifying, or validating requirements
• 1+ year of experience in mechanical systems
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Ability to collaborate and work in a team

Preferred Skills

• 9 or more years' related work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience in data analysis and Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA)
• Experience in Technical Subcontract Management working with suppliers
• Experience evaluating aircraft maintenance requirements, certifications or airworthiness directives
• Experience in hardware and software integration

Education / Experience:

Bachelor's and 9 or more years' experience, Master's with 7 or more years' experience or PhD with 4 or more years' experience. Bachelor, Master or Doctorate of Science degree from an accredited course of study, in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics or chemistry.

Benefits offered to vary by the contract. Depending on your temporary assignment, benefits may include direct deposit, free career counseling services, 401(k), select paid holidays, short-term disability insurance, skills training, employee referral bonus, affordable medical coverage plan, and DailyPay (in some locations). For a full description of benefits available to you, be sure to talk with your recruiter.

Job Requirements

Minimum Security Clearance: No Clearance

Military connected talent encouraged to apply.

VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please visit http://www.tadpgs.com/candidate-privacy/ or https://pdsdefense.com/candidate-privacy/

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled