Systems Engineer - Space And EO/IR Sensor Systems

Actalent; United States; Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

401k plan

Bonus potential

Pension

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Systems Engineer to support the development, integration, testing, and deployment of space-based EO/IR sensor and payload systems. You will work across the full engineering lifecycle with multidisciplinary teams to define requirements, develop architectures, and verify complex systems.

The role involves AI&T, HIL testing, and collaboration across electrical, software, optical, and mechanical engineers. U.S. citizenship and DoD clearance eligibility are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical engineering discipline or related field.
• Experience in aerospace/defense sensor systems is preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain DoD clearance.

Responsibilities

• Support EO/IR sensor and space payload system architectures, requirements, interfaces, and concepts.
• Develop and maintain system and hardware/software interfaces and requirements.
• Lead system integration activities across hardware and software.
• Plan and execute verification, validation, and acceptance testing.
• Produce engineering documentation and interface control documents (ICDs).
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to resolve complex technical challenges.
• Participate in design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and customer reviews.

Skills

Systems engineering

EO/IR sensors

Cross-functional team work

Requirements development

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in a technical engineering discipline

Tools

Python

C/C++

Embedded systems

Modeling & simulation

DOORS

Jama

Cameo

Automated test frameworks

Job description

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to support the development, integration, testing, and deployment of advanced space-based Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensor and payload systems. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge aerospace and defense programs supporting space, remote sensing, ISR, missile defense, and national security missions.

The successful candidate will work across the full engineering lifecycle, partnering with multidisciplinary teams to define requirements, develop architectures, integrate complex hardware and software systems, execute verification and validation activities, and support operational deployment of mission‑critical sensor technologies.

This position is ideal for engineers with backgrounds in systems engineering, electrical engineering, embedded systems, software engineering, payload integration, or system test who thrive in highly technical, collaborative environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the development of EO/IR sensor and space payload system architectures, requirements, interfaces, and operational concepts.
• Develop, manage, and maintain system, subsystem, hardware, software, and interface requirements throughout the program lifecycle.
• Lead and support system integration activities for complex hardware and software solutions.
• Plan and execute system verification, validation, qualification, and acceptance testing.
• Perform engineering analyses, trade studies, modeling, simulation, and technical risk assessments to support design decisions.
• Collaborate with electrical, software, optical, mechanical, and test engineering teams to resolve system‑level technical challenges.
• Support Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T) activities, including troubleshooting, root cause investigations, corrective actions, and anomaly resolution.
• Develop and maintain engineering documentation, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), test procedures, verification plans, and technical reports.
• Participate in technical reviews including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and customer‑facing program reviews.
• Present technical findings and engineering recommendations to leadership, customers, and program stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience developing, integrating, or testing complex aerospace, defense, space, EO/IR, or sensor systems.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Systems architecture and requirements development
  • EO/IR sensors and payloads
  • Electrical or electronic systems
  • Embedded or real‑time software
  • Hardware/software integration
  • Verification and validation (V&V)
  • Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T)
  • Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing
  • Automated test development
• Strong technical problem‑solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in cross‑functional engineering teams.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with spacecraft, satellite systems, remote sensing platforms, ISR systems, missile defense programs, optical sensors, or other mission‑critical aerospace systems.
• Familiarity with engineering tools and technologies such as:
  • Python
  • C/C++
  • Embedded systems development
  • Modeling and simulation environments
  • Requirements management tools (DOORS, Jama, Cameo, etc.)
  • Automated test frameworks
• Experience supporting spaceflight hardware or payload development programs.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate brings a combination of the following:

• Space, EO/IR, optical sensor, or payload system experience
• Strong systems engineering fundamentals including requirements development, architecture, interfaces, and verification & validation
• Hardware/software integration and test experience
• Deep expertise in at least one specialty area such as electrical systems, embedded software, EO/IR technologies, or automated test systems
• Aerospace or defense industry experience with clearance eligibility

Why Join Us

You'll work on next‑generation space and sensor technologies that directly support critical national security and aerospace missions. This role offers exposure to complex engineering challenges, cross‑functional collaboration, and opportunities to contribute across the full system lifecycle from concept development through deployment.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Acton, MA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $150000.00 - $200000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

Medical, Vision, Dental, 401k, Bonus potential, Pension

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Acton, MA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 18, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Acton,MA.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News‑Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.