Systems Engineer Principal

SAIC; California (MD); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer Principal to guide architecture and technical direction for Navy ALRE systems and Foreign Military Sales programs. You will own system architecture, manage requirements, and govern MBSE across lifecycle, collaborating with NAVAIR/NAVSEA and international stakeholders.

You will lead V&V strategies, model-driven engineering, and cross-functional teams to deliver performance, safety, and sustainment outcomes across complex electromechanical domains.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in a engineering discipline.
• 9+ years of systems engineering experience in DoD/Navy environments with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience supporting Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programs required.
• Proficiency with MBSE/SysML, DOORS/DOORS NG, and Digital Engineering methods.

Responsibilities

• Own system architecture and baseline for multi-disciplinary hardware/software systems.
• Lead requirements management, allocation, and verification planning with full traceability to tests/certification.
• Apply MBSE and digital thread/twin practices, align models with CONOPS, ICDs, SOWs, specs.
• Lead verification and validation strategies, MOEs/MOPs, coordinate DT&E/OT&E for reviews.
• Chair and represent engineering at SRR/SFR/PDR/CDR and milestone gates.

Skills

MBSE

SysML

Requirements management

V&V planning

DOORS/DOORS NG

Digital Engineering

System architecture

Stakeholder communication

FMS experience

Travel 10%

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Cameo/MagicDraw

DOORS

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

Jira/Confluence

Job description

JSAIC is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer Principal to support PMA251 Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE) Systems Program Office, to lead the technical direction for high‑visibility Naval aviation and shipboard systems that directly impact Fleet readiness and safety. As the Senior Principal Lead Systems Engineer for Foreign Miliary Sales (FMS), you will set architecture, drive requirements and integration, mentor engineers, and represent the program at senior reviews-partnering with NAVAIR/NAVSEA and International stakeholders across complex systems such as AAG, EMALS, ALRE, shipboard power/motion control, and related electromechanical/control domains.

What You'll Lead & Deliver

• Own the system architecture & technical baseline for multi‑disciplinary hardware/software systems; guide decisions on interfaces, behaviors, allocations, performance, safety, and sustainment across the lifecycle.
• Drive requirements management & traceability: lead decomposition, allocation, and verification planning; maintain DOORS/DOORS NG baselines and ensure full traceability to test/certification.
• Apply MBSE & Digital Engineering at scale: build and govern SysML models (Cameo/MagicDraw), advance digital thread/twin practices, and align models with program artifacts (CONOPS, ICDs, SOWs, specs).
• Lead verification & validation (V&V): define strategies, acceptance criteria, MOEs/MOPs; coordinate DT&E/OT&E, test readiness (OTR/OTD), and data‑driven performance analysis for decision reviews.
• Chair/represent engineering at SETR & acquisition milestones: prepare and lead SRR/SFR/PDR/CDR and milestone gates aligned to AAF/DoD 5000; author technical assessments, trade studies, and risk mitigations.
• Integrate across stakeholders and IPTs: collaborate with program offices, Fleet users, industry partners, and cross‑functional teams (systems, electrical, mechanical, software, test, cyber, safety).
• Institutionalize rigor: enforce configuration management (CM), change control (ECPs), R&M planning, FMEAs, and disciplined documentation quality.
• Mentor & elevate the team: coach junior/mid‑level engineers; establish best practices for requirements, modeling, integration, test, and technical writing.

Why Join?

Mission impact: Influence systems that Sailors rely on every day; measurably improve Fleet safety and readiness.

Technical leadership: Set architecture, lead integration/V&V, and shape milestone decisions on major Navy programs.

Growth & collaboration: Work with seasoned engineers and prior‑service teammates; mentor others while advancing MBSE and Digital Engineering practices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Systems, Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, Computer, or related).
• 9+ years of systems engineering experience delivering complex hardware/software systems in DoD/Navy environments, including leadership of multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Experience supporting Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programs is required.
• Advanced proficiency in MBSE and SysML (e.g., Cameo/MagicDraw), DOORS/DOORS NG, and Digital Engineering methods (digital thread/twin).
• Demonstrated success owning architecture, requirements, integration, and V&V for large programs (preferably ACAT I/MDAP scale).
• Hands‑on familiarity with SETR (SRR/SFR/PDR/CDR) and lifecycle processes aligned to AAF/DoD 5000.
• Experience with modeling & simulation to support performance analysis (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink, Python) and test planning.
• Exceptional communication skills for technical briefs, stakeholder engagement, and decision support.
• Clearance: Interim Secret required to start; ability to obtain/maintain Secret
• Travel: 10% (including OCONUS).

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior‑service U.S. Navy experience or direct NAVAIR/NAVSEA systems/test engineering background.
• Domain exposure to AAG, EMALS, ALRE, shipboard control systems, high‑energy/linear motor drives, power conversion/distribution, and motion control.
• Experience with Operational Test & Evaluation (OTF), interoperability testing, and Fleet exercises; familiarity with OTR/OTD.
• Tool familiarity: Cameo/MagicDraw, Jira/Confluence, MATLAB/Simulink, LabVIEW, data analytics/statistical tools.
• Certifications: INCOSE CSEP/ESEP, DAU (SE/TE), PMP (plus), or relevant Navy/DoD training.
• Track record serving as technical authority or IPT lead; interest in a Chief Engineer career path.

Why Join

Mission impact: Influence systems that Sailors rely on every day; measurably improve Fleet safety and readiness.

Technical leadership: Set architecture, lead integration/V&V, and shape milestone decisions on major Navy programs.

Growth & collaboration: Work with seasoned engineers and prior‑service teammates; mentor others while advancing MBSE and Digital Engineering practices.