Systems Engineer - Air Delivered Platforms

Salas O’Brien, Inc.; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

TechSource at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM seeks an experienced Systems Engineer to lead integration efforts for air-delivered weapon systems. The role emphasizes rigorous systems engineering, test planning, execution support, and analysis of test results to drive practical solutions and risk mitigation.

Candidate will collaborate with engineering, test, program management, and government stakeholders, reviewing requirements and interfaces while ensuring traceability and compliance with

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret clearance with ability to obtain SCI.
• Bachelor’s degree in STEM or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• 10+ years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience with model based systems engineering for complex programs.
• Experience with test planning, test execution support, test data review, or test analysis.
• Ability to evaluate technical information and communicate findings clearly.
• Strong knowledge of requirements management, traceability, configuration management, and engineering documentation practices.
• Ability to work independently on complex assignments with limited daily direction.
• Ability to work 100% onsite at Kirtland AFB; access to classified networks (SIPRNET).

Responsibilities

• Support aircraft and weapon system engineering and integration activities for air-delivered nuclear weapon systems, including analysis of integration issues and development of technically sound recommendations.
• Support test planning, test coordination, and test analysis for aircraft systems, weapon systems, and associated integration activities.
• Analyze test results, system performance data, and engineering inputs to identify risks, gaps, technical issues, and potential corrective actions.
• Develop, review, and maintain system requirements specifications, interface control documentation, and related engineering artifacts for assigned systems and programs.
• Support feasibility studies, trade studies, gap analyses, and sensitivity analyses to inform program decisions across performance, cost, schedule, and risk.
• Maintain traceability between top-level system requirements, lower-level requirements, design decisions, test activities, and qualification evidence.
• Apply systems engineering judgment to assess proposed technical solutions against operational needs, program objectives, and integration constraints.
• Provide configuration management and requirements management support, including review of requirement changes and assessment of downstream impacts.
• Prepare technical reports, briefings, analysis summaries, and decision-support materials for government stakeholders.
• Coordinate with government, laboratories, and contractor organizations as needed to support data management, reporting, and weapon system acceptance activities.

Skills

Model-based systems engineering

Test planning & execution

Requirements management & traceability

Independent on complex assignments

Onsite work focus

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM or related technical field

Tools

Systems Modeling Language

Job description

Who We Are

TechSource, a Salas O'Brien company and a previous DOE Small Business of the Year recipient and ten-time Inc. 5000 winner, is a nationally recognized engineering and scientific company specializing in the management and technical delivery of large-scale nuclear and high-technology projects with numerous federal agencies, helping to advance missions of national importance for government programs, national laboratories, national security facilities, nuclear operations, and complex projects nationwide. We provide direct access to hundreds of experts and industry leaders in the nuclear sciences, non-proliferation technologies, accelerator physics, and systems engineering arenas with offices in Washington DC, SC, TX, TN, and NM. Our outstanding technical service has earned the company a client retention rate of over 95 percent. As part of Salas O'Brien, we work to attract and retain the best talent because the best talent delivers the best results for our clients.

Pay Range: $140 - $160,000 annually

Job Summary

We are seeking a systems engineer to support the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center Air Delivered Platforms Directorate at Kirtland Air Force Base. This role is focused on the integration of aircraft and weapon systems, with emphasis on systems engineering, test planning, test execution support, and analysis of test results. The work sits at the point where engineering rigor meets operational applications, requiring someone who can understand technical requirements, evaluate integration challenges, and help develop practical solutions for complex air-delivered weapon system programs. You will collaborate with engineering, test, program management, and government stakeholder teams. You’ll review technical requirements, understand how aircraft and weapon system interfaces affect integration and test, and turn complex data into clear recommendations. This is not a narrow documentation role; it requires technical judgment, disciplined analysis, and the ability to support decisions on programs where safety, security, reliability, and mission performance matters. You’ll be working full-time onsite at KAFB, located in Albuquerque, NM.

Responsibilities

• Support aircraft and weapon system engineering and integration activities for air-delivered nuclear weapon systems, including analysis of integration issues and development of technically sound recommendations.
• Support test planning, test coordination, and test analysis for aircraft systems, weapon systems, and associated integration activities.
• Analyze test results, system performance data, and engineering inputs to identify risks, gaps, technical issues, and potential corrective actions.
• Develop, review, and maintain system requirements specifications, interface control documentation, and related engineering artifacts for assigned systems and programs.
• Support feasibility studies, trade studies, gap analyses, and sensitivity analyses to inform program decisions across performance, cost, schedule, and risk.
• Maintain traceability between top-level system requirements, lower-level requirements, design decisions, test activities, and qualification evidence.
• Apply systems engineering judgment to assess proposed technical solutions against operational needs, program objectives, and integration constraints.
• Provide configuration management and requirements management support, including review of requirement changes and assessment of downstream impacts.
• Prepare technical reports, briefings, analysis summaries, and decision-support materials for government stakeholders.
• Coordinate with government, laboratories, and contractor organizations as needed to support data management, reporting, and weapon system acceptance activities.

Qualifications And Experience

• Active Top Secret security clearance, with ability to obtain SCI.
• Bachelor’s degree in STEM discipline or a related technical field. Equivalent work experience in lieu of education may be considered (18 or more years of work experience).
• 10 or more years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience with model based systems engineering for complex technical programs.
• Experience with test planning, test execution support, test data review, or test analysis.
• Ability to evaluate technical information, identify integration issues, and communicate findings clearly to technical and programmatic audiences.
• Strong working knowledge of requirements management, traceability, configuration management, and engineering documentation practices.
• Ability to work independently on complex assignments with limited daily direction.
• Ability to work 100% onsite at KAFB.
• Ability to access and work on classified government networks, including SIPRNET, as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with aircraft systems, weapon systems, or aircraft-to-weapon integration with DoD, DOE, NNSA, or national laboratory programs.
• Familiarity with B61, W80, Long Range Standoff Weapon, Air-Launched Cruise Missile, bomber or fighter aircraft integration, or related air-delivered weapon system programs.
• Experience with model-based systems engineering, Systems Modeling Language, or other requirements and architecture tools.
• Experience preparing technical products for design reviews, qualification reviews, acceptance activities, or senior technical decision forums.

Compensation & Benefits

The expected base salary range for this role is $140 - $160,000 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors including skills, experience, qualifications, and location.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

TechSource provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. TechSource will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.

Third-Party Agency Notice

TechSource does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiters or agencies. We only work with approved partners engaged directly by our Talent Acquisition team for specific searches. Unsolicited submissions will not be eligible for placement fees.